Having followed several posts on the subject of load security I ask the question in the title. I think we have to forget ‘it’s always been alright before’ etc and live with the current interpretation and the code of practice it is based upon. In all honesty it is about time something was done, the fact that loads haven’t fallen off has really been luck and not skill. The purpose of securing a load is to keep it in place if something unexpected happens during the journey, not simply to stop it wobbling about.
So back to the issue, the curtainsider is quite possibly coming to the end of its days unless a manufacturer can come up with a “fits all” solution. Somehow the individual “rows” have to be secured DOWNWARDS to prevent them moving forward, which is not easy when there is a roof in the way. The normal pole anchored straps merely restrain the “row” sideways. With many loads resembling a camel’s back, meeting the requirements is a challenge. Perhaps the most worrying consequence is for the Overnight Pallet delivery double-deck trunking trailers which will be a nightmare. A real campaign to pull over and inspect these could stop the companies dead in their tracks.
The haulage industry HAS to land the ball firmly in the consignors’ court and demand that ALL goods are in packaging of specific dimensions and capable of restraining the contents within and robust enough to withstand being secured.
As for the vehicle/trailer bodywork, the chances are fair that we shall be returning to something based on the flat.
A 1950’s Scammell coupling trailer with a load of wooden packing cases springs to mind!
Twist locks work for containers, and they’re universal.
So, smaller versions of twistlocks built right across the floors of trailers, and ISO pallets with twistlock cut-outs.
Consignor’s responsibility to adequately secure the product to said pallet.
Drivers responsibility to adequately secure the pallet to trailer floor.
Any subsequent VOSA investigation:
Pallet moved/insecure in trailer = Driver gets done.
Load moved on Pallet = Consignor gets done.
Could work for various sized pallets/stillages/roll cages, bulk carried in boxes rather than bags, odd ball loads in custom made frames from consignor (with ISO lock pockets).
I don’t see an end to the curtain-sider because it’s so necessary in many roles.
However, I can see the day when trailer beds are fitted with multiple hook points in the floor so that
each pallet can be clamped down with a simple and small screw device.
Edit: cieranc, you beat me to it! variations on a theme
I can see using containers for transportation taking off, could make pallet loads on multi-drop awkward, but solves the ‘load security’ issue, twist locks fastened, load secured
206doorman:
I don’t see an end to the curtain-sider because it’s so necessary in many roles.
However, I can see the day when trailer beds are fitted with multiple hook points in the floor so that
each pallet can be clamped down with a simple and small screw device.
Edit: cieranc, you beat me to it! variations on a theme
No. But it will be an end to the British style of curtainsider and hello to German/European style Euroliners with wooden/alloy boards which are certified to hold a certain amount of load, such as things like tissue paper with no straps, and strap hook in points builts in to the deck of the trailer at intevals allowing two spansets per pallet.
Its worth noting that in Germany it is not allowed to strap anything to the chassis on a Euroliner/Tilt as they dont want straps fraying off and the ratchet catapulting down the autobahn hitting a car or laying in the road as a hazard, all strapping has to be internally. For this reason alone most British curtain siders would be obsolete if/when the rules are updated further to match those of Germany and the ever increasing amount of countries replicating their rules to varying degrees, such as Switzerland, Belgium and France.
Interesting times ahead. One thing is for sure, someone is going to be making a killing from selling spansets and anti-slip rubber matting etc and the average British driver on curtainsider work is going to spend far far longer loading/unloading than has been the case. Anyone thats ever done ferry freight work, where everything has to be strapped to within an inch of its life will know what I’m talking about.
EN 12642:2006 L & XL: Securing of cargo on road vehicles - Body structure of commercial vehicles - Minimum requirements
The document specifies the minimum requirements and test methods for the body structure, e. g. side walls, end walls on commercial vehicles and trailers with a maximum total mass over 3,5 t.
The Standard allows for two types of trailer structure: L and XL. For the L-type, the curtain should not see any loading. A trailer designed and tested to the XL-type can utilise the curtain to provide a degree of load containment. The strength of the structure is proved by calculation, static testing and dynamic (driving) testing.
"Unless they are purposely designed according to EN12642-XL, the curtains of curtain-sided vehicles MUST NOT be considered as part of any load restraint system. If the curtains have been designed as a restraint system, the load capability should be clearly marked on the vehicle — if no mark can be seen, then it should be assumed that the curtain has NO load-bearing function.
Similarly, where vertical inner curtains are fitted and they are not purposely designed for a specific load, they also MUST NOT be considered as part of the load restraining system. Curtains and vertical inner curtains should be considered purely as a means of containing within the vehicle any small, loose items that may have become dislodged during the journey."
The answer seems to be load bearing curtains, marked up as such.
robinhood_1984:
No. But it will be an end to the British style of curtainsider and hello to German/European style Euroliners with wooden/alloy boards which are certified to hold a certain amount of load, such as things like tissue paper with no straps, and strap hook in points builts in to the deck of the trailer at intevals allowing two spansets per pallet.
Its worth noting that in Germany it is not allowed to strap anything to the chassis on a Euroliner/Tilt as they dont want straps fraying off and the ratchet catapulting down the autobahn hitting a car or laying in the road as a hazard, all strapping has to be internally. For this reason alone most British curtain siders would be obsolete if/when the rules are updated further to match those of Germany and the ever increasing amount of countries replicating their rules to varying degrees, such as Switzerland, Belgium and France.
Interesting times ahead. One thing is for sure, someone is going to be making a killing from selling spansets and anti-slip rubber matting etc and the average British driver on curtainsider work is going to spend far far longer loading/unloading than has been the case. Anyone thats ever done ferry freight work, where everything has to be strapped to within an inch of its life will know what I’m talking about.
It will be like the old days of handball and roping and sheeting, brilliant now most jobs pay by the hour, less getting stuck in traffic, more exercise, it’s a win win situation
newmercman:
It will be like the old days of handball and roping and sheeting, brilliant now most jobs pay by the hour, less getting stuck in traffic, more exercise, it’s a win win situation
Or they could adopt the lazy approach we enjoy here in N.America and shift to the box van!!!
OVLOV JAY:
Everyone should use those ekeri fridges with side loading doors. Two bars across the back palletts, load secure, job done
Your buggerd though if anything happens to them sides, my dad n 2 other fellas spent half an hour trying to close one once because something had twisted or summert!
