Securing Cargo in an Enclosed Trailer

Posted by Kinedyne LLC on Mar 20th 2023

How to Secure Cargo Within Enclosed Trailers and Truck Bodies

Securing cargo on an open deck trailer is all about snugly tarping down the load. Keeping cargo secure inside an enclosed trailer or truck body requires selecting from a range of securement options designed to accommodate a wide variety of cargo types safely, easily, and ergonomically.

Kinedyne has the goods to make sure loading a van doesn’t come down to stuffing it full of unsecured cargo in the vain hope it will somehow arrive at its destination safe and sound. That would make for a hilarious improv comedy routine, but it would put only frowns on the faces of customers fuming over their damaged freight.

The key building blocks to winning are Kinedyne logistic track, logistic beams, and logistic straps. Want to know how to start putting together a solution customized for your operation and customers? Start at the beginning; assess which types of cargo will be hauled most consistently and also consider the value of outfitting an interior to find cargo efficiently at each stop.

Logistic Tracks

Very easy to install, logistic tracks are a necessity to secure loads in enclosed trailers and truck bodies. There are four types of logistic track, each of which can be matched up to specific securement requirements: Series E, A, F, and L. These tracks are the attachment point for a variety of interior van cargo control systems.

Logistic tracks will accept all end fittings, sockets, beams, and bars specifically designed for use with them. Kinedyne logistic tracks come standard in a 10-foot (3m) length. They’re engineered to solidly hold straps, beams, bars, and other fittings that require a logistic track. In short, logistic tracks transform interior walls and flooring into solid and secure anchor points for reliably tying down different types of cargo.

Here's how to determine which logistic track fits your needs:

Series E Track - Most Popular!

•12-gauge, 50,000 PSI rated

•Painted or galvanized; painted is ideal for dry vans and galvanized is preferred for reefers or trailers hauling medical or food grade cargo

•Can be installed on walls or floor

•Standard lengths are 5 or 10 feet

Series A Track

•11-gauge, 50,000 PSI

•Painted, galvanized, and aluminum versions; aluminum recommended for transporting explosives

•Can be installed on walls or floor

•Standard lengths are 5 or 10 feet

Series F Track

•Galvanized

•Ideal for both van bodies and over-the-highway trailers

•Can be installed on walls or floor

•Note: U.S. hole measures 3/4 inch and Canada hole measures 1 inch

Series L Track

•Aluminum

•Surface or recessed mount

•Used primarily in the aircraft industry

•Can be installed on walls or floor

•Standard length is 100 inches

Pro tip: If track does not have a working load limit, the strength of its securement will depend on the fasteners used to install it. Check the gauge of the steel and the PSI rating of available fasteners.

Logistic Bars

Kinedyne offers two types of logistic Bars: Shoring Bars and Jack Bars. Shoring Bars are used with ¾ inch and 1-inch hole diameter Series F Tracks. These create a strong and solid barrier between loads to prevent them from damaging each other during transit. Shoring bars also help keep everything separated, making it easier to access and unload specific loads. That means no more digging around to find which cargo needs to be unloaded at a given stop. Shoring bars come in different shapes and styles, including round, square, heavy-duty, garment, and vertical. Each bar is adjustable, so choose the one most suitable for the inside of your trailer.

Also available for trailers not equipped with logistic track are Kinedyne Jack Bars. These attach to the trailer walls using suction, creating a solid hold to keep your cargo in place. For larger loads, we recommend using a jack bar with welded hoop sets. For different sized trailers, consider the Kinedyne Retract-A-Bar that can adjust to three sizes. And for easier operation, our Saf-T-Lok Bar is available.

Pro tip: In an industry where it’s very easy to run over bars that are lying on the ground, it’s a good idea to have a few logistic bar replacement parts on hand for quick repairs. Kinedyne offers all the bits and pieces needed to make a full repair to any damaged bar, including replacement parts specifically for the Saf-T-Lok Bar.

Logistic Straps

For versatility and security, you’ll want to use logistic straps to take control over your enclosed trailer cargo. Engineered with industrial strength webbing combined with durable hardware, our logistic straps come in a variety of sizes to accommodate nearly any kind of tie down job that needs to get done quickly and efficiently. Just hook the fitting to the track, wrap the flexible webbing around the cargo, and then connect the end to the same track or another track to create a strong grip on the load.

Logistic straps are equipped with strong end fittings that apply a reliable hold while working with the correct logistic track for the job. The different fittings include:

Kinedyne also offers two types of tensioning devices to help tighten down the load: the quick-to-use ratchet buckle and the easy-to-use cam buckle. Both are manufactured to provide effective tension, quickly and effortlessly.

In addition to 12-, 16-, and 20-foot webbing, we provide logistic straps available in an array of color options to match your trailer or differentiate the size of each strap. We also offer our interior van straps with our extra-strong K-FORCE webbing, the same kind used for tougher tie-down jobs.

Always note: All logistic straps need to be tagged with their working load limit in both pounds and kilograms along with the manufacturer's name.