If you have ever had a load shift in transit, you may have assumed the securement failed. In most cases, the securement was never the problem. The load design was.
Load design and cargo securement are two distinct things. Most operations treat them as one. That confusion is where most in transit damage starts.
What Is Load Design?
Load design is the process of arranging pallets inside a trailer before any securement device is applied. It covers:
- How pallets are positioned and oriented
- Whether rows are bricked (offset so no straight lines of open space run through the load)
- Whether all pallets are bumped tight with zero gaps between them
- Weight distribution from front to back
Load design determines whether a load can move at all. A load with gaps between pallets has open space where energy can build in transit. Under braking or cornering, that energy becomes movement. Movement becomes damage.
A properly designed load eliminates the conditions that allow movement to start.
What Is Cargo Securement?
Cargo securement is what you add in addition to a properly designed load. Securement materials include airbags, load bars, straps, wood 2×4’s, and KICK STOPS.
Here is the critical point most operations miss: cargo securement only works as well as the load design underneath it.
An airbag placed in a gap between pallets fills the space but does not eliminate the structural weakness. A load bar going across the trailer walls does not prevent the load from walking in transit. Securement placed on top of a poorly designed load is not a fix. It is a band-aid at best.
Why Does the Distinction Matter?
When a load arrives damaged, most operations look at the securement first. Was the airbag inflated? Was the strap tight? Was the load bar in position?
The right question is: was the load designed correctly before any securement was applied?
Cargo securement violations during inspections are almost always the visible symptom. The root cause is almost always the load pattern that was built before the truck left the dock.
How KICK STOPS Fits into This Framework
KICK STOPS is a cargo securement device, not a load design tool. It is placed at the tail end pallets. They lock the entire load in place keeping it unitized in transit.
The load pattern comes first. KICK STOPS locks it all in place.
When you partner with KICK STOPS, we assess your freight and design the right load pattern for your pallet count, dimensions, and weight. We also train your whole team in how to place, kick and secure your loads with KICK STOPS. Both steps are part of the process. Neither one works without the other.
Ready to eliminate in transit damage? Request a free load pattern review at kickstops.com. We come to your facility, assess your freight, and build a custom load pattern. No commitment. No sales pitch.
FAQ
What is the difference between load design and cargo securement?
Load design is how pallets are arranged inside a trailer before any securement device is applied. Cargo securement is what is added in addition to a properly designed load. Load design comes first. Securement locks in what the design built.
Does cargo securement replace load design?
No. Cargo securement only works as well as the load design underneath it. An airbag or load bar used in a poorly designed load does not fix the underlying problem. The load pattern must be correct before any securement is applied.
What causes a load to shift in transit?
Gaps between pallets are the most common cause of load shifting in transit. When pallets are not bumped tight, open space allows energy to build under braking or cornering. That energy creates movement, and movement creates damage. Proper load design eliminates the gaps before the truck leaves the dock.
Where does KICK STOPS fit in the load design and securement process?
KICK STOPS is a cargo securement device placed at the tail end pallets. It locks the entire load in place, so it arrives exactly as it was designed. KICK STOPS does not replace proper load design, it works in combination with it.
How do I know if my load pattern is correct?
A correct load pattern has all pallets bumped tight with zero gaps, rows offset (bricked) so no straight lines of open space run through the load, and correct weight distribution front to back. KICK STOPS offers a free load pattern review visit kickstops.com.