Hi all
Been doing fridge work RDC nice and easy get to the depot drop off paperwork onto bay get tipped leave etc
Got some curtain side work coming up just looking for some hints and tips and anything that’s different? I’ve watched some videos online of opening and closing the curtains etc more just when I get to the drop is anything different as I assume they’ll unload from the side? Also any advice on strapping the loads as I’ve only been having to use a restraint bar so far?
Thanks
Throw a ratchet strap over every row of pallets unless it has internal straps which you should use.
Also if doing multridrop it should be in order but not always.
Also before you close up your curtains before leave the yard scribble down which side of the truck each drop is on
As nothing worse than getting out opening up the wrong side .not a big deal but if it’s raining plus saves a few minutes.
Good idea as well when you have done half your drops ratchet curtain shut at other end…so your not pulling the curtain all the way from the back of the truck to the front this way only pulling it back a couple of pallets spaces
It all depends…
Whether or not you have an XL Rated trailer? Exactly what the load is, whether it be palletised or not, weights etc etc.
The bare bones are here: Securing loads on HGVs and goods vehicles - 2. Load securing: the basics - Guidance - GOV.UK
Look at what your colleagues are doing, and (rule of thumb) never do less than the others and never be afraid to do more than the others. There are more chancers out there than there should be.
Be careful in the wind both driving and when the curtains are open. Think spinnaker.
But only for pallets up to 400kg, anything heavier and these won’t do.
You might also want to look at pages 51 to 54 of this document to see what the upgraded penalties are these days
Thanks for all the replies
And grab yourself a strap winder
Yep, no probs in times like the 80s as in the pic, when trailers were sturdy with a lot of ‘meat’ about them, but some today are as flimsy as…
Especially those with no center or side posts in them.
As for Euroliners, they bend like bananas around bends and in the wind, never mind with curtains tied back.
Only skimmed through the thread, so has anybody said on particularly strong winds if empty or carrying a light load…park up,?
Don’t listen to the heroes and the tear arse artists, get your priorities right.
Your life is worth more than a load of bog rolls, and the world will not end if they are late at Tescos.
@tachograph and Robroy: I bow to your up-to-date knowledge on this one. It’s a good twenty years since I last fastened back the curtains to brace the gales. It stood me in good stead in its day. I was less inclined to fasten back Euroliners because you had to choose between the danger of flying loose boards and safely stowing them at the bulkhead - but again Euroliners were generally heavier beasts then.
The thing to remember is that if the wind does turn you over, it happens very quickly indeed. That is because you don’t get blown over by a buffetting side wind, you get sucked over because (like an aircraft wing) if a very strong wind down one side of the wagon coincides with a momentary vacuum on the other, your lorry simply drops into the vacuum. I have to say, if I were driving even a modern 16’ high curtainsider I’d be tying stuff back.
Some of our drivers started tying side sheets back, so we phoned up the makers. They said that the roofs were designed to take some weight, such as snow, but were not designed to resist wind from the inside blowing outwards, so there was a real risk of the roof blowing off.
Company said if the wind is too high, park up, don’t tie the sheets back when driving.
From experience with euroliners with concertina opening roofs, make sure that sides are closed and put a strap (not too tightly) over the roof if it has any damage to it.
Yep. Very light construction. Some benefit from bracing the roof onto the opposite floor to keep them rigid when running empty.
