The Evolution of Transportation Posted by DC Cargo Mall on August 20, 2013

Sometimes we take for granted that the easy touch screen devices, gas saving road slammers, wireless contraptions, and more are so readily available in this day and age.

It has probably reached the point at which we are so used to luxury that we forget that harder work and more rustic measures for transportation and the like were the world’s reality just a couple hundred years ago.

Take transportation for example. 

It is the 1800’s. A horse gallops down the cobblestone street in a clip-clop, its rider in a hurry, hoping to sell goods that are wrapped to the horses back with a flimsy rope, and dually hoping that its contents will not spill in his haste. If only he had ratchet straps…well, a truck wouldn't hurt too.

Fast forward to the wagons that held more than just the horse alone, more loads could be handled at once, and peddlers could earn more money at one pop.

The world’s first motor truck was born in 1896, and its creator, Gottlieb Daimler, was also inventor of the world’s first motorcycle and the world’s first taxi. Thanks, Daimler.

But it wasn't enough to carry large amounts of freight at once, and cargo trains prevailed as the common option. The issue with this was that the trains were limited in their reach, as they could not leave the track-line of course. As of now most of the rail infrastructure has been demolished, or abandoned at best.

Trucks became larger due to demand and modernization, and more shipments became possible on the main road.

But when the long hauls of the trucker turned into days, sleepers became a necessity. But wooden bunks were all that money an

d modern advancement allowed, comfort would have to wait.

Loads were larger and required safer securement equipment, and strap webbing grew thi

cker and more durable, while tie down metal was galvanized and layered with protections of zinc and special paint to weather any harsh condition the load would encounter.

DOT requirements tightened in on hour limits, and 10 to 11 hours of consecutive driving led to more of a need for larger and more accommodatingly comfortable sleepers. It was also the less expensive option to motel hopping, an amenity that was not always on hand at points in the road needed.

But a 36” bunker that was difficult to leave and enter, and devoid of AC or heating, although considerably more comfortable, was still the claustrophobe’s worst nightmare.

With Driving partners sometimes involving a team of husband and wife in the early 90’s, sleepers were widened to 48” and up to 60”, and TV’s, microwaves, and enlarged storage space joined the package.

Nowadays, sleepers are now standardized to 96” inches, likened to that of the RV. Straps have ridiculously high assembly break strengths at up to 20,000 lbs. or more, and chains handle more weight than ever before.

The increased capacity of evolving trucks permits heavier freight in more

condensed trips and requiring the highest working load limits per tie down possible.

We hope to accommodate you with the latest and greatest in tie down equipment, providing you with anything from end rings to tie downs to road signs, to custom straps, so that your ride can be as smooth and your road maneuvering as confident of an experience as possible.

Let’s see what this next century has in store for us!

Drive on.J