Place I used to work at ran double deck curtainsiders to move new appliances to the depot and then the return trailer would have just scrap appliances on it. Everything form tvs, fridges washing machines etc.
My question is how should the load be secured on a double decker curtainsider when top deck and bottom deck is full. Of scrap appliances and old packaging like cardboard polystyrene etc.
The only load restraints present are bars. At the back of the trailer with a hard plastic net on top deck at the sides.
That’s a good question, a pallet weighing over 400 kilograms will need a ratchet strap.
Anything below 400 kilograms can be restrained with internal straps.
Getting anything securely strapped at height is not possible for a driver , to access the top deck,as it’s too high up for a driver to working at the height, getting the fork lift driver to lift anyone up that high is definitely not safe to do.
When I was at the pallet hub the driver is not allowed to participate in the loading or unloading process so has to stand away to sit in the cab or stand in a safety zone away from the fork lift trucks operating.
I couldn’t move any internal straps or throw on any ratchet straps until I left the loading zone.
The simple answer is that with a DD curtain there is no acceptable safe method to secure the load. That then brings the inevitable problem of what is in fact an insecure load in the eyes of the law.
Management will turn a blind eye whilst paying lip service to “drivers responsibility “ etc, And the truth is that until the poop hits the fan nothing will change, when it hits the fan then you (the lowest common denominator) will face fines and disciplinary actions.
It’s probably not what you want to hear, and I totally understand your predicament but these trailers are not fit for purpose and shouldn’t be used on that type of work.
The choice is yours mate, suck it up or walk. It really is that binary.
It’s impossible to throw a ratchet strap high enough up to the top deck unless a big mobile ladder with wheels is supplied for the driver to secure the top deck.
Double decker trailers can be notoriously top heavy if they have not been loaded correctly to balance out the weight and distribute the load evenly.
The only suggestion is if the trailers have internal straps then try to make it look good in case the DVSA enforcement pull the vehicle over for an inspection at the road side or a checkpoint.
wasnt someone killed the other year getting some electronics off the top deck and got blown off.
only the op knows how it was loaded. if as he says there was a reinforced net over the the stuff on the top deck and it was all rubbish or light stuff no issue probably. However i know of several companies that their ssow state clearly that heavy stuff should be put on the top.
Top deck was loaded just one layer high of scrap machines, the nets were just at the sides. The bottom deck was double stacked two washing machines high.
I pull a DD curtainsider every night. Most drivers rely on internal straps or nets with XL curtains. A few ratchet strap everything they possibly can, some don’t bother at all and just rely on the curtains.
A lot depends on how it’s loaded and who has loaded it, some forkies are more switched on than others. Inevitable that some pallets will go over from time to time. But yeah I agree with Maoster in that it all comes down to what you’re happy to run with really.
Also, just consider what you’re pulling. If you’re trying to powerslide out of every roundabout racing back to the depot then don’t be surprised if the contents of the trailer is a mess when you get back. My job is to get all the stuff back from the hub in one piece and undamaged so steady away for me.
Surely a DD hardsider would be more suited to that type of work though.
Edit. Or maybe not. If the bottom deck is positive fit and all washing machines of the same ish weight then internals will keep them from going anywhere.
Another issue is if the driver is not close enough to monitor the loading process at a pallet depot as some fork lift drivers will try and hide a pallet that has the contents of it broken, cut, torn or leaking by turning it around so I can’t see it damaged when closing the curtains to move away from the loading bay to get it scanned by staff in another building.
After it’s scanned the driver then can take the time to secure the load then notices a problem with a pallet or multiple pallets.
You then have to take the trailer back to the loading bay to get the damaged pallet or goods taken off the trailer.
As an example a pallet of paint with some drums or tins that the fork lift driver has put the forks through them and pierced the containers so will turn the pallet around to hide it or put another pallet up to it to try and conceal the leakage.
Or a pallet of dog food, cat litter or compost/peat, the bags have holes and the contents are coming out.
The customer at the final delivery point will definitely refuse to accept the delivery and won’t be signing for it.
I was on a tacho break and not present by the lorry and when I returned a member of public said the lorry had paint coming out the sides dripping on the road and the vehicle.
The cans had been pierced by the FLT driver but I got the blame for damaging them, I didn’t see any leaks when it was loaded.
My former employer did not allow a comfort, loo or coffee break on an overnight trunk to the hub, if we did the night planner was tracking us to then call up saying why have you stopped, have you broken down?
Why is that a choice? The demount bodies I designed at Toray had ringbolts in the deck just inside the curtains so that internal restraints of almost any kind could be used.