Auto Electrical Faults

If you drive a vehicle that carries a heavy load or towing a trailer carrying a heavy load, you need to make sure that you restrain the load properly. This is not only a safety concern but a requirement by law as failure to restrain the load properly may lead to shifting of the load in a manner that can make the vehicle unsafe or unstable during transit, therefore, endangering not only your health and life but that of others as well. Here are some tips to restraining different types of cargo.

White goods and furniture

White goods include items such as fridges. When transporting tall furniture or white goods make sure you restrain them to the headboards so that they do not shift or fall off when braking, taking an evasive action or negotiating a corner. Use webbing straps or rope to restrain all furniture tightly. Webbing straps may be preferred to rope as even though the rope may feel tight, tension in it will be reasonably low. Tightly pack the furniture and fill spaces between them with packing material to prevent the load from shifting and loosening the lashings.

Garden refuse and equipment

Garden refuse will usually be light enough to be blown off your trailer during transport. Cover the refuse using a tarpaulin or netting; however, if the refuse is loaded above the sides of the trailer, ropes, netting and straps will be required. When towing equipment like blowers, lawn mowers and chainsaws, use ropes and nets. Tie this over them making sure there is no movement during transit. If you are transporting heavy-duty equipment such as rotary hoes or grinders, use tie-downs.

Boats

When transporting your boat use a safety chain in addition to the wire rope from your trailer's winch to the bow of your boat. Additionally, make sure that your boat has a strap over the strap that attaches it to the trailer. If your boat is tailored with an outdoor motor and the mounting to the stern is designed in such a way that it will not absorb shocks encountered during transportation that includes bumps, you might require to separately restrain the motor or rather remove it during transit.

Tools and cardboard boxes

Small and loose tools should be contained in tool boxes and the boxes sufficiently restrained. Larger tools, however, should be restrained using cargo nets, straps and ropes. When you are transporting boxes, use webbing straps and rope and don't forget to consider top corner protector angles for the boxes to reduce crushing of the boxes.

Weather

Even after securing the load properly, it is very important to check the weather to prevent damage to the load, accidents and to know when to reduce your speed.