Securing Cargo/Freight

Day to Day Operations: Outside Your Tractor

Securing Cargo/Freight

Always carry at minimum two straps in case loads need to be secured.* Adjust tandems so that no more than 34,000 lbs are on the drive axle or tandem axle; no more than 12, 000 lbs on the steer axle. Scale loads at a CAT scale weigh station, if necessary using the "Weigh My Truck" application, installed on your tablet device. 

Use your visible inspection of the freight and how it is situated on your trailer along with the E-tracks visible on the inside and outside of the trailer, to mark where your wheels might land for an equal weight distribution on your tandems.  Even if the load is less than 41,000lbs (unless in rare exception, tandem weights will be legal with loads less than 41,000lbs) equal weight distribution helps for a smoother ride.

Slide the fifth wheel, if necessary, using the in cab "5th wheel slide" to shift weight from the drive axle to the steer axle. When sliding tandems or the 5th wheel,  good rules of thumb for weight shifts are: 400lbs of weight for every notch when sliding tandems forward or backward on trailers (this will vary depending on make and model); 250lbs of weight for every notch when using the 5th wheel to slide weight from the drive axle to the steer axle, or vice versa.

*If straps need to be purchased, use your fuel card to take out cash or your company credit card (if assigned) to make the purchase. Submit receipts for reimbursement in the LoadOps TMS, if necessary.