How to Load a Cargo Trailer 101
Cargo trailers are great for transporting sensitive cargo that needs to be protected! However, before you go tossing your delicate items into your trailer you’ll want to learn how to correctly load it. This will keep your cargo, your vehicle, and even your trailer from getting damaged. If you’re interested in buying a cargo trailer or trading in an old one, come see us at Southern Trailer Works in Schriever, Louisiana!
Your Manual
Before you read the rest of our helpful tips we want to encourage you to take a look through your owner's manual! This booklet will contain important information such as your cargo trailer’s weight, carry capabilities, and other details about unique features your model may have. It may also contain helpful advice on how best to pack your specific trailer model.
Even Distribution
A little sway is common when you’re driving quickly down the highway. However, too much sway can result in an accident or damage to your items. To avoid having your trailer sway to this extreme you’ll want to distribute your cargo weight evenly across the entirety of the bed. This means if you have one heavy item and several lighter ones you’ll need to place them in a way that doesn’t put your trailer off balance.
60/40 Method
Although you want the weight of your cargo distributed evenly to avoid sway, we advise you to take advantage of the 60/40 method. 60 percent of your cargo's weight stays at the back of the trailer and the other 40 percent is at the front. This will still eliminate sway and keep your heavier items from sliding towards the back of the trailer and crushing your smaller items. Although, you will stall want to keep a careful eye on the weight of your trailer from right to left
Stacking
We’ve spoken quite a bit on cargo weight, but haven’t yet mentioned cargo size. If your trailer is packed and you’ve loaded your cargo correctly, you shouldn't have to worry about it sliding around much. However, in the event that you don’t have many items in your trailer, we advise placing smaller lightweight items on top of larger ones. This will keep things from getting crushed if your cargo begins to shift. If you have extremely sensitive items to transport you might look into buying a few tie-down anchors. They’re easy to find at a hardware store, don’t cost much, and are pretty easy to install.
We hope these tips have been helpful in getting you ready to pack and load your trailer! If you’re located in the cities of Thibodaux or New Orleans, Louisiana we hope you’ll stop by our dealership for all your trailer needs! We've got trailers of every shape and size and we're confident that you'll walk off our lot completely satisfied with your purchase.