Box Truck Loading Tips
Box trucks are a type of chassis cab truck with an enclosed cube-shaped cargo space. These useful vehicles make moving easier, let you transport heavy cargo, and you can even move appliances with them. But before using a box truck, you should know a few loading tips so you can safely pack your cargo and get to your next destination. This guide from Tri-County Truck & Equipment will help you out with a few of the basics, so read on, then feel free to check out some quality box trucks for sale at our dealership in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Weight Considerations
To ensure you’re properly loading your box truck, there are a few important tips you should know. Start out by making a list of everything you plan to load. Smaller items should be placed in boxes, and you’ll want to plan how to place these in accordance with furniture and other large items. To figure out your weight, the best thing you can do is weigh each box and get an idea of how much the larger cargo weighs. Then, begin loading. Put about 60% of the weight in the first half, evenly spacing it from side to side. Then, distribute the rest of the cargo proportionately throughout the truck.
Loading the Cargo
Another important point to consider is how you’ll load and unload your cargo since this will involve a lot of lifting. Manual labor may be suitable for light loads or the occasional heavy load, but if you do a lot of deliveries and have a lot of heavy items, you’ll probably want a forklift, a stowaway ramp, or a hydraulic lift to help you put cargo in and remove it from the box truck. If you’re going to use a forklift, then you need a truck that sits up higher with roll-up doors, instead of the type that swing out.
Plus, the truck floor should have the capacity to handle the extra weight of the forklift. When ordering your body, you have choices for the weight rating of the floor. Many reinforced floors can be identified by the lift truck option.
Secure the Cargo
After you’ve completed loading everything, you’ll need to secure the cargo. This helps prevent the items from shifting about during transportation, which could result in damage or cause safety risks in the unloading process. Different cargo will need to be secured in different ways, but common options are straps, braces, and load bars. Fasteners should be tight, while chains should have a bit of slack.
if you have any further questions, or if you’re ready to invest in a box truck, come visit us at Tri-County Truck & Equipment in Pompano Beach, FL. We welcome all our customers in the Fort Lauderdale and Tri-County area.