Spent most of my truck driving days, almost 30 years using fridge trailers but now doing occasional collections using a curtain side trailer. The trailers are XL rated and also have internal straps on the roof edges rather that in the roof centre.
The load is 24 / 26 pallets of fizzy drinks weighing around 1 ton per pallet. I believe this to be a positive fit at the sides and always cross strap the last 2 pallets at the rear.
So my question is, should the internal straps also be used, i know they are only good for pallets withing upto 400kg. Company wants us to use internals on all pallets but is this a legal requirement and how would DVSA view this if pulled?
Thanks for any help.
The internals are not legally necessary for sideways restraint, as I see it, but it is no harm to use them anyway, and will certainly help to keep the load on the pallets.
A “proper” ratchet strap or two on the back, might be better with 24 pallets, and will certainly look better!
I’ve carried many similar loads and the “weakest point” in my opinion is how well the load is attached to the pallet.
Proper heavy shrink wrap is good, but a layer or two of cling film is inadequate. Multiple layers of film is OK.
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Driving the company vehicle then strap any extras as they say, regardless of DVSA.
Greatest challenge is ensuring meeting the rear of lad security to maintain the XL requirements
In theory, if all meets XL then shouldn’t be an issue with DVSA.
But as far as the company’s concerned you could fail to meet their policies/procedures and liable for discipline for not using internal straps, even if you’d just been stopped and passed by DVSA.
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