Loose articles on skids.

[theoldprof]

Do you ever have a load that is just a bunch of small boxes or loose parts? In other words, there is no way to secure them. Do you carry something like a tarp to bundle them up, or is it a requirement of your carrier that material must be skidded and secured, or shrink wrapped into a manageable package? Thanks :+ :+

 

[davekc]

I would advise the customer to shrink wrap their pallet to prevent damage. Most are very good about securing their freight.
Davekc

 

[X1_SRH]

If the customer is not able to shrink wrap the skid, a couple of heavy moving blankets and ratchet straps can make a fine impromptu freight containment system. I used that system a few times myself instead of turning down the load. Customers appreciate your resourcefulness, and you keep freight on your truck. I love it when everybody wins!!! - Scott

"My Old Ride"
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[Dreamer]

Walmart, JC Whitney, and similar companies sell cargo nets that are great for this. They are basically a square net (think the side window of a race car) made out of bungee cords, with hooks on the ends. They range in size from 1 ft square and up. Some of them come rolled up in a tube for easy storage. The small ones are good for those single boxes,(hook 'em to a side wall etrack) while the large ones (4 ft square or so unstretched) can be stretched over a whole pallet and hooked on the sides. You can usually find them in the truck accessories dept, or off roading supply sections.

Here's a pic of a small one, I used these to hold stuff on my bike also. You can see how they stretch to form around the item. I can testify that they will hold a helmet, or bag of groceries at highway speeds (if you don't get TOO crazy..LOL)



Dreamer

 

[davekc]

While the issue has never come up, it would seem easier to carry a small roll off shrink wrap. Especially if you had multiple pallets.
A net may be difficult if the boxes are too high on the skid. Shrink wrap gives you the flexibilty for any size pallet.
Davekc
owner
20 years

 

[plumcrazy8]

The typical expeditor would net it, shrink wrap it, blanket it and then strap the sucker down with at least 3 ratchet straps. Can never be too safe.

 

[theoldprof]

What size shrink wrap. Where do you get it? Thanks.:+ :+

 

[theoldprof]

What do you use to shrink the stuff with? Thanks. :+ :+

 

[terryandrene]

+Most folks, even the shippers call it shrink wrap but actually it's stretch wrap. I've seen it at Kinkos in a small 8" roll that I carry around. The Detroiter Truck Stop sells it. It looks like a lint roller with a handle. I haven't looked but may be avail at Moving supply rental places. Come to think of it, it looks, feels and acts like saran wrap.

 

[Dreamer]

oldprof,

The stuff is actually slightly elastic, so that when you release it, it has tension and kind of 'pulls in' whatever it's wrapped around. Works great on skids, (which was what the original question was. ..oops).. my reply was based on those smaller items, which as Dave pointed out, probably wouldn't work too well for a bunch of loose items


Dreamer

 

[redytrk]

I carry a roll of that orange plastic fencing they use at construction sites.It comes in handy for those loose loads.

 

[ATeam]

>+Most folks, even the shippers call it shrink wrap but
>actually it's stretch wrap. I've seen it at Kinkos in a
>small 8" roll that I carry around. The Detroiter Truck Stop
>sells it. It looks like a lint roller with a handle. I
>haven't looked but may be avail at Moving supply rental
>places. Come to think of it, it looks, feels and acts like
>saran wrap.

Shrink wrap is the answer! We often use it to secure wierd shaped items, even office furniture sometimes...put one chair upside down on the other, use shrink wrap to hold them together.

We've seen it in two sizes...a roll about 6 inches wide and one about 2.5 to 3 feet wide. We carry both. We've used the small roll like twine. Elastic feature is especially handy when securing furniture pads around large items. Larger rolls used to secure items as original poster described.

We get it for free from shippers. If you look around, you often see a roll. If one is close to done, I'll ask if they mind if we take it along. Half the time they say no problem and toss in a brand new roll too. The stuff is not cheap. The freebies are nice.

 

[Broompilot]

Want to compliment everyone who responded to this thread. Learned alot! One roll please what ever Diane calls it. I purchased a large net last week but this will do even better.

And yes Customers are blown away when you show concern for there freight. (Cameras help to)

I also installed clear marker lights on the inside of the box so when ever the marker lights exterior are on so are interior, can see at night without having to pull into rest areas to look at frieight even though the camera is inferred its difficult to see until now.

 

[Dreamer]

Broompilot,

That's an awesome idea! I've had cargo lights in different trucks, but never thought of some kind of actual marker light. Might help those fork lift drivers who get lost on the way to the front of the truck, and try to go out the sides...:+ :+ :+

Would you mind sharing how they are mounted, so as not to be vulnerable to damage? I wonder if anyone ever used those lights that are little lights inside a long tube.. running the length inside the box, perhaps up in the corners. I have those in my personal van, outlining the steps, (and of course the running boards..LOL).

Dreamer

 

[ATeam]

>Broompilot,
>
>That's an awesome idea! I've had cargo lights in different
>trucks, but never thought of some kind of actual marker
>light. Might help those fork lift drivers who get lost on
>the way to the front of the truck, and try to go out the
>sides...:+ :+ :+
>
>Would you mind sharing how they are mounted, so as not to be
>vulnerable to damage? I wonder if anyone ever used those
>lights that are little lights inside a long tube.. running
>the length inside the box, perhaps up in the corners. I
>have those in my personal van, outlining the steps, (and of
>course the running boards..LOL).
>
>Dreamer

How 'bout rope lighting inside the box that follows the ceiling perimeter all the way around, and a dimmer switch to set the mood? While you're at it, install speakers to play music. Anything to mellow out those high-energy fork lift drivers!