5 Preventative Tips to Avoid Common Loading and Trucking Mistakes Posted by DC Cargo Mall on July 08, 2013

Loading and trucking can be complicated when assumptions are made and knowledge is not attained on a constant basis. That's why DCCargoMall gives you a list of tips that will transfer you from newbie to savvy.

1. Remember, as far as load containing trailers, bigger is always better. This applies to having higher webbing, assembly, and working load limits as a better option even if your load is smaller. Having too little for your trailer is without much consequence.  Contrarily, having too much for your carrier is dangerous, and there is a reason signs are made with the warning message ‘overload’. DCCargoMall.com provides you with the signs you'll need. It is because the danger is so much so that it has become relevant to the neighboring cars on the road to take precaution, and your load is no longer only your business.

2.There is a case where bigger is not better. This is in connection to your weight distribution load bars and towing balls. Latching on these bars at a weight unparalleled to your load can cause bouncing between the trailer and truck, causing damage to your hitch and frame, and losing steering control, an obvious safety compromise. Towing balls come in three specific sizes: 18/8 inches, 2 inches, and 25/16 inches. Each one is built for a special weight and checking the tongue or coupling on every trailer for a weight marking should provide you with the ball size requirement you’ll need.

3. Your engines longevity is dependent on a variety of things. It is the heart of the vehicle so make sure to keep it fed and pumping. Overheating is a definite no-no. Don’t assume that this will do nothing to your engine because behind the scenes, there is a lot going on. Warped heads, cracked pistons, and scored cylinder walls are just some of the effects of overheating, and these damages are permanent. To keep in the loop, purchase an easy-to-read multiple gauge reader like the Bank’s IQ Flash, which will not only tell you your temperatures, but also whether you’re in a safe range, so that prompt action can be taken to prevent irreversible damage.

4. A common misconception is that unused tires are more safe-guarded and pumped up than their constantly rolling on roads neighbors. The contrary is true. Leaving your trailer tires to sit and gather dust will suck the air and correct pressures out of them. Before heading back out on the road, checking for proper tire pressure is an essential step to preventing them from overheating, a bumpier ride, or blowouts.

5. Purchasing a lift gate that will match the proportions of your truck bed’s height is crucial to avoiding tricky situations where it  will not reach the ground when unfolded, or is not at arm’s length to unfold in the first place. There are different compatibilities for lift-gate measurements, including its height when laden and unladen, so make sure to deal closely with a lift-gate manufacturer and know your trucks measurements when scouting for the right one.