The short answer
Choosing the right vehicle is only half the job. How you load it decides whether your goods arrive in one piece, whether the vehicle handles safely and whether you stay on the right side of traffic law. A badly packed load can shift under braking, damage the cargo, overload an axle or come off the vehicle completely.
This guide covers the basics for the three most common vehicle types. Some steps apply to all of them, and some are specific to each one.
The Rules That Apply to Every Vehicle
Know your payload, not just the vehicle size. A “4-ton” or “8-ton” label is a size class. It is not a promise that the vehicle can carry that much weight. Check the payload on the vehicle’s documents or ask the branch, and stay under it, including the weight of any pallets, crates and packaging.
Heavy at the bottom, heavy at the front. Put the heaviest items on the floor, as close to the front bulkhead or cab as you can, and centred between the wheels. Lighter, bulkier items go on top and towards the back. This keeps the centre of gravity low and stops weight building up over the rear axle.
Fill the gaps. Cargo that can slide will slide. Pack items tightly, and fill empty spaces with blankets, cardboard, airbags or dunnage so nothing can move when you brake hard or corner.
Tie down in more than one direction. A load needs restraint forwards, backwards and side to side. One strap across the top rarely does all three.
Check again after a few kilometres. Loads settle, and straps loosen as they do. Stop briefly after the first few kilometres and re-tension everything.
The National Road Traffic Regulations require any load to be secured so that it cannot fall off, shift dangerously or stick out in a way that endangers other road users. If it comes loose, the driver is responsible.
Loading a Bakkie
An open load bed is the easiest to load and the easiest to get wrong. Nothing holds the cargo in except what you add.
- Use ratchet straps, not rope. Ratchet straps hold their tension and are easy to tighten again. Hook them to the bed’s tie-down points, not the tailgate or the bumper.
- Net or tarp anything loose. Garden refuse, rubble bags, packaging and light materials should be covered with a cargo net or a tarp that is tied down tight. Flapping tarps tear and let things blow out.
- Keep the tailgate closed whenever possible. If long items such as timber or piping have to stick out, mark the end clearly with a red flag or a reflector, and stay within the legal projection limits.
- Respect the 1-ton limit. A bakkie load bed fills up fast with bricks, sand, cement or tiles. Weigh the load, or work it out, before you assume it will fit.
If you need a vehicle for hardware runs, small moves or deliveries around town, our bakkie hire service covers 1-ton bakkies, including refrigerated options for food and cold-chain work.
Loading a Panel Van
A closed body keeps the weather and opportunistic thieves out. But cargo inside a van can still slide, topple and crush itself.
- Build a solid wall from the front. Load from the bulkhead backwards in tight, even layers, like stacking bricks. Avoid tall, unstable stacks.
- Use the load-restraint points. Most panel vans have rails or rings along the sides. Run straps across each section of cargo as you build it, rather than one strap over everything at the end.
- Protect furniture and fragile items. Wrap them in moving blankets, stand mattresses and tabletops on their edges against the side walls, and never put heavy boxes on top of glass or upholstery.
- Plan the unloading order. For multi-drop deliveries, load the last stop first, so each delivery comes off the back without moving everything else.
- Use the tail-lift properly. If your van has a tail-lift, keep within its rated capacity, put the load in the centre of the platform and keep your feet clear of the edges.
For couriers, small businesses and household moves, our van hire fleet includes 4-ton, 5-ton and 8-ton panel vans, with tail-lift options.
Loading a Truck
The basics are the same on bigger vehicles, but mistakes cost more. Axle overloading, cargo shifting on a long trip and forklift damage are the main risks.
- Spread weight across the axles. A truck can be under its total limit and still overload one axle if the weight is all at the front or the back. Spread pallets evenly along the deck.
- Pallets need restraint too. Shrink-wrapped pallets can still slide. Strap each row, or use load bars, so the stack can’t move forward under braking.
- Curtainsides are not restraints. On a curtainside, the curtain keeps out the weather. It does not hold the load in. Strap the cargo to the deck as if the curtain weren’t there.
- Drop sides need edge protection. Use corner protectors where straps go over sharp edges, such as steel, timber or boxed goods, so the straps don’t cut through and the cargo isn’t crushed.
- Crane trucks need a level, firm surface. Set up on stable ground with the stabilisers fully out, and never go over the crane’s rated capacity at the reach you’re working at.
- Refrigerated loads need airflow. Leave space around and above the cargo so cold air can circulate, and pre-cool the body before you load.
From 4-ton drop sides to 32-ton links, Power Truck Hire runs a fleet of 212 vehicles from branches in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. If you’re not sure which body type suits your cargo, our truck hire team can help you choose before you book.
A Quick Pre-Departure Checklist
Before you drive off, walk around the vehicle and confirm:
- The load is within the vehicle’s payload.
- The heaviest items are low, at the front and centred.
- There are no gaps where cargo can slide.
- Every strap is tensioned and hooked to a proper tie-down point.
- Loose material is covered and tied down.
- Anything sticking out is marked and within legal limits.
- Doors, tailgates, curtains and tail-lifts are closed and locked.
- Mirrors are adjusted for the loaded vehicle.
Then stop again after the first few kilometres to re-check the straps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible if a load falls off a hired vehicle?
The driver. Even when someone else loaded the vehicle, the driver must make sure the load is secure before driving and while on the road.
Do I need straps if my cargo fits snugly in a closed van?
Yes. Under hard braking, unrestrained cargo can slide forward into the bulkhead with a lot of force. Straps or load bars stop that from happening.
Can I put a heavy load at the very back of a truck?
It’s not recommended. Too much weight at the rear can overload the rear axle and make the steering light. Keep heavy items forward and centred.
Does Power Truck Hire supply straps and blankets?
Ask your branch when you book, and they’ll tell you what’s available with your vehicle.
