How To Securely Transport Heavy Loads With Your Trailer
Heavy-load transportation with a trailer can be daunting, but with sufficient planning and execution, you can do it safely and efficiently. Whether you’re hauling construction materials, furniture or equipment for a short distance or even interstate, following these tips will help ensure a smooth journey and keep you and other drivers on the road safe.
In this blog, we’ll discuss all the steps you can take to maintain trailer safety and ensure your trailer is secure for the trip ahead.
The importance of a secure trailer
Whether you’re a removalist transporting a person’s belongings from door to door or a tradesperson moving heavy equipment, you want to start your engine knowing that your load is secure for a safe drive ahead.
Not only do you want to ensure your transported goods arrive from point A to B safely, but having heavy equipment sliding about while driving will put you and others at risk. Save yourself from stress and avoid any damage by taking the necessary precautions.
Prepare for the journey
Before loading your trailer, check your vehicle’s towing capacity to ensure it can handle the weight of your load. Ensure your trailer is in good condition and all parts are in good working order.
At Modern Trailers, we have top tips for your trailer maintenance to ensure it’s safe for the commute. This includes checking your trailer for any large cracks, testing your brakes and brake fluid levels, replacing worn pads and rotors, preventing rust, checking tyres are in good condition, checking wheel alignment and ensuring your trailer has undergone its most recent service. You must also have the necessary permits and licenses for heavy-load transportation.
Select the right trailer hitch from Modern Trailers
Choosing the correct trailer hitch to suit your needs is critical for safe, heavy-load transportation. Determine the weight of your load to choose the suitable hitch — select one with a weight capacity that exceeds your weight load. You should also choose a hitch with the right ball size for your trailer.
At Modern Trailers, we offer a suitable selection for heavy-load transportation, which includes:
Enclosed trailers —
Enclosed trailers come in various sizes — smaller options are suitable for carrying equipment you’ll need daily, while larger enclosed trailers are ideal for carrying machinery or for farmers to transport livestock, given the proper safety precautions are met.
Car trailers —
Our car trailers are designed to move vehicles safely and swiftly from one place to another. We strongly recommend selecting your car trailer based on the size of the vehicle you’ll be moving — larger vehicles require car trailers on the larger side, while cars that sit lower will need a car trailer with a lower ride height.
Tandem-axle trailers —
A tandem-axle trailer will do the trick if you transport heavy work equipment from one location to the next. Also known as a double-axle trailer or bogie trailer, their dual-axle design is ideal and features two connected wheels for additional load capacity.
Motorcycle trailers —
Our motorcycle trailers transport motorbikes safely and securely, with load capacities varying from 275 kg to 1005 kg. Whether you need a single motorbike trailer to transport a light trail bike or a double trailer to handle heavy touring bikes, we’ve got you sorted.
Load your trailer properly
Loading your trailer safely will help prevent accidents and ensure safe transportation. You must maintain even load distribution on your trailer, placing heavier items low and towards the front of the trailer. Use tie-downs to secure your load to the trailer, and ensure it is not sticking out or obstructing your view.
Ensure your trailer is secure
Securing your load is essential to prevent it from shifting or falling off during transport.
You can secure your trailer via the following methods:
Ropes —
Ropes, the most common method used for a secure trailer, can be used to tie down your items to the d-rings of your trailer. Ensure you use a top-quality rope to handle pressure on the road, such as a strong nylon or single-braid rope.
Ratchet tie downs —
Ratchet tie downs are fasteners used to secure your trailer load — the ratchet tightens everything down. Choose from loop straps or two-piece straps and ensure your selection can handle the weight of your trailer load.
Tarps —
This lightweight blanket-like material will not only cover the goods in your trailer, but some have fasteners in the corners to tie to the front and back of the trailer — if not, you can use a rope. If you’re concerned about braving the elements, a tarp is waterproof to protect your load from the risk of mould or mildew during wet weather.
Nets —
A cargo net will cover your whole load to prevent any shifting during transportation. They have hooks or fasteners on the ends to tie down to d-rings or anchors on your trailer.
No matter which method you choose, ensure you check your load is secure periodically during transport and adjust the straps or chains as required. To take it one step further to protect your trailer, you can even secure loose items with plastic wrap — we strongly suggest this for any furniture items with drawers or cupboards, such as a bedside table or coffee table, to prevent them from swinging open and causing a ruckus.
Ensure trailer safety by driving safely with a heavy load
Driving with a heavy load can be difficult, but there are steps you can take to ensure a safe, smooth drive ahead. Drive slower than usual when towing a heavy load, and increase the space between you and the vehicle in front to allow ample stopping time. Use your rearview mirrors to monitor your load and check your brakes frequently. If you need to stop, pull over to a safe location and avoid sudden braking at all costs.
Get the trailer you need from Modern Trailers today
Heavy load transportation may seem daunting at first, but with the right equipment and preparation, you can rest assured you’ll have a safe drive ahead and avoid any accidents on the road or unexpected costs from damages in transit. Modern Trailers has a range of trailers to suit your needs that are renowned for their load capacity, durability, functional accuracy and easy operations.
If you’re still unsure which trailer you’ll require, don’t stress, we’re here to help! As one of the largest trailer manufacturers in Adelaide, Australia, for over 30 years, we exceed our clients’ expectations every time with a wide variety of safe, top-quality trailers.
Having been in operation since 1990, we’ve made and sold over 60,000 trailers — no one knows trailer safety as we do. And best of all, our trailers are for sale at a highly reasonable rate across Australia.
Reach out to our helpful team if you have any queries — they’ll be more than happy to assist. You can contact us at sales@moderntrailers.com.au, (08) 8326 5041 (Lonsdale), (08) 8262 2562 (Pooraka) or via the contact form on our website.
