Load Check

Here's Ed checking the straps on one of our recent loads. After getting loaded, it's always a good idea to check your securement devices about an hour or so down the road, especially straps. Even though straps are made of a "resin-coated polyester for minimum stretch", they still need to be looked at when you stop because no matter what the manufacturer says, they still stretch and get loose.

So after you've driven a bit and the load has had a chance to settle from the vibration of the truck, it's always a good idea to get out, do a walk-around, and check to make sure everything is still in place.

Ed is THE BEST "loader" in the business, and most of the time he ratchets the straps down so tight, they never move. Often, all that's required is to circle the truck and 'tap-tap' the straps, sort of flicking them with your hand to check the tautness. You should see his tarping jobs - they're wrapped like Christmas presents from Macy's!

When I'm driving, I employ the "smack-the-strap" technique; I walk around the truck and smack on each strap to make sure they haven't moved. If they do, all I need to do is get the ratchet bar out to tighten them down a little, but it's rare if I even have to do that.

The best load checks are exactly those - the ones where you don't have to do anything.


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