Securing freight properly is never just a compliance exercise. The wrong restraint choice shows up as damaged goods, rejected loads, or worse—safety incidents that could have been prevented. At Ferrier Industrial, we work with transport operators, steel processors, and logistics teams who move heavy, awkward, and high-value cargo daily. Load restraints for trucks sit at the heart of what we do, and getting them right matters more than most people realise until something goes wrong.

What separates adequate restraint from reliable restraint often comes down to understanding the load itself. Weight distribution, surface friction, stacking height, and the forces generated during braking and cornering all influence which products will actually hold cargo in place across real-world routes.

This guide covers the practical considerations that matter when selecting truck load restraint systems—from rubber friction mats and ratchet strops through to dunnage, airbags, and engineered cradles. We’ll walk through the operational factors that influence specification, the options available for different freight types, and the questions worth asking before committing to any particular solution.

Why Restraint Selection Requires Careful Thought

Choosing restraint equipment without considering the specific cargo and transport conditions is a common mistake. A ratchet strap rated for adequate breaking strength might still allow movement if the friction coefficient between the load and the deck is too low. A dunnage airbag might hold well on a short urban run but fail under the constant vibration of a long-haul route.

Transport compliance frameworks in Australia and New Zealand provide minimum performance standards, but meeting minimum requirements and achieving genuine load stability are not always the same thing. The forces acting on freight during transit—forward braking loads, lateral cornering forces, and vertical movement over uneven surfaces—all combine to stress restraint systems in ways that static calculations sometimes underestimate.

Operators moving steel coils, sheet packs, machinery, palletised goods, or mixed freight all face different challenges. Coils can roll. Sheet packs shift sideways. Heavy machinery concentrates weight in unpredictable patterns. Palletised freight stacked high creates leverage that amplifies any movement at the base.

Understanding these dynamics helps procurement teams specify restraint systems that actually perform under operational conditions rather than simply meeting paperwork requirements.

Core Components of Truck Cargo Restraint Systems

Effective freight restraint typically combines several elements working together. Friction enhancement, direct tie-down, void filling, and blocking all contribute to overall stability.

• Friction mats and high-friction dunnage: Rubber or rubber-lined materials placed between the load and the deck surface increase the coefficient of friction, reducing the restraint force required from straps and other tie-downs. High-friction LVL dunnage with vulcanised rubber lining provides both structural support and grip.
• Ratchet strops and cargo straps: Polyester webbing with ratchet tensioning mechanisms applies direct restraint force to the load. Strap width, breaking strength, and anchorage points all influence effectiveness.
• Dunnage airbags: Inflatable bags placed in voids between cargo or between cargo and container walls prevent lateral and longitudinal movement during transit.
• Blocking, bracing, and cradles: Fixed or semi-fixed structures that physically prevent movement in specific directions. Steel cradles with vulcanised rubber contact surfaces are common for coil and machinery transport.
• Edge and corner protection: Plastic or rubber extrusions that protect cargo edges from strap damage while also distributing strap pressure more evenly across the load.
• Chain and chain protectors: For extremely heavy loads, chain restraint with appropriate protectors prevents chain-to-load damage while maintaining holding capacity.

Each component addresses different aspects of the restraint challenge. Most freight operations use a combination, tailored to the specific cargo type and transport conditions.

Selecting Restraint for Different Freight Types

Steel Coils and Sheet Packs

Steel transport presents particular challenges. Coils can weigh several tonnes each, and their cylindrical shape creates inherent instability. Bore vertical coil restraint systems secure coils through the centre bore, while horizontal restraint accommodates coils transported on their side.

Sheet packs, though flat, shift sideways under cornering forces if not properly blocked. High-friction dunnage under the load combined with edge restraint and appropriate strapping addresses this movement.

At Ferrier Industrial, we’ve supplied coil and sheet restraint equipment for Australian and New Zealand steel operations for decades. Our bore vertical coil restraint corners, manufactured from cold-rolled steel with vulcanised rubber, are engineered to meet demanding restraint requirements. Truck cradles in multiple sizes provide stable bases for horizontal coil transport.

Palletised and Mixed Freight

General freight on pallets requires attention to both the pallet-to-deck interface and the stack-to-strap interface. Friction mats under pallets reduce the number of straps required. Void-filling airbags prevent movement in partially loaded containers or trailers.

Mixed freight—different sizes, weights, and shapes combined in a single load—demands careful blocking and creative restraint combinations. This is where having access to a range of restraint equipment for trucks becomes valuable. A single solution rarely addresses all the variables in a mixed load.

Machinery and Irregular Shapes

Heavy machinery often has asymmetric weight distribution and lifting or tie-down points that don’t align with standard trailer anchorage positions. Custom cradles, fabricated blocking, and purpose-designed chain restraint systems address these challenges.

The engineering involved in restraining irregularly shaped heavy loads often requires site-specific assessment. Understanding the centre of gravity, available attachment points, and the forces expected during transport all inform the restraint design.

Material Considerations and Durability

Rubber Friction Surfaces

Vulcanised rubber provides excellent friction characteristics and resists degradation from oil, weather, and repeated use. We specify vulcanised rubber in our friction mats, truck cradles, and LVL dunnage precisely because it maintains performance over extended service life.

The coefficient of static friction—typically above 0.60 for quality rubber mats—determines how much restraint force must be applied through straps or chains. Higher friction means less strap tension required, reducing load damage risk and simplifying restraint procedures.

Webbing and Hardware

Polyester webbing resists UV degradation and maintains strength when wet, making it suitable for outdoor and all-weather transport. The hardware—ratchets, hooks, and end fittings—requires attention to corrosion resistance and mechanical durability.

We at Ferrier Industrial supply ratchet strops and cargo straps designed for repeated heavy-duty use. Weather-resistant finishes and robust ratchet mechanisms reduce replacement frequency and improve reliability.

Dunnage Materials

LVL (laminated veneer lumber) dunnage offers strength-to-weight advantages over solid timber and resists splitting under load. Eucalyptus-sourced LVL with BWR (boiling-water-resistant) waterproof grading handles demanding applications where moisture exposure is unavoidable.

The choice between single-use packing-grade dunnage and multi-use engineering-grade material depends on operational patterns. High-volume routes justify engineering-grade materials that withstand repeated cycles. Occasional transport might suit packing-grade alternatives.

Integration with Existing Operations

Vehicle and Trailer Compatibility

Restraint systems must work with existing anchorage points, deck configurations, and operational procedures. Friction mats need to fit deck widths. Straps need appropriate hook or fitting compatibility with trailer rails. Cradles need to match available deck space and load patterns.

Before specifying load restraints for trucks, understanding current equipment configurations avoids compatibility problems during implementation. This includes checking anchorage point ratings, deck surface conditions, and any existing restraint equipment that will remain in use alongside new items.

Operator Training and Procedure Fit

Even excellent restraint equipment fails if used incorrectly. Strap tension, friction mat placement, airbag inflation pressure, and blocking arrangement all require operator understanding.

Restraint systems that align with existing procedures and training reduce implementation friction. Equipment that requires significant procedure changes may need additional training investment to achieve intended performance.

Serviceability and Spares

Restraint equipment wears. Straps fray, ratchets wear, rubber surfaces degrade. Access to replacement parts and repair services extends equipment life and maintains performance.

Our approach includes spares continuity—ensuring replacement components remain available throughout equipment service life. This avoids the common frustration of equipment retirement forced by unavailable parts rather than end-of-life performance degradation.

Key Considerations for Procurement Teams

When evaluating truck load restraint options, several factors deserve attention beyond initial purchase price:

• Load-type compatibility: Does the equipment suit the specific freight types and transport conditions in your operation?
• Friction performance: What coefficient of friction do mats or dunnage provide, and how does this influence overall restraint requirements?
• Durability and cycle life: How many load cycles can components withstand before replacement, and what determines end-of-life?
• Compliance with transport standards: Does equipment meet relevant Australian and New Zealand load-restraint guidelines?
• Operator acceptance: Will the equipment work with existing procedures, or are significant training and process changes required?
• Supply continuity: Can the supplier provide ongoing access to replacement parts and additional units as operations scale?
• Custom sizing or configuration: Are modifications available to suit specific vehicle configurations or unusual load requirements?

These questions help focus evaluation on operational outcomes rather than specification comparisons that may not reflect real-world performance differences.

Our Approach at Ferrier Industrial

We’ve worked with steel processors, transport operators, and logistics teams across Australia and New Zealand for decades. Our restraint systems reflect this experience—designed for durability, serviceability, and genuine operational performance.

Our process typically begins with understanding your specific freight, vehicles, and operational patterns. This discovery work informs product selection and any custom modifications required. We provide samples and prototypes where needed, allowing fit-checks against actual vehicles and loads before committing to full supply.

JIT delivery and consignment stock arrangements reduce inventory burden and improve supply responsiveness. When restraint equipment needs replacement or operations expand, rapid supply continuity matters.

Load restraints for trucks represent one part of our broader capability across industrial packaging, postal and courier equipment, and bespoke fabrication. Whether specifying friction mats, ratchet strops, cradles, or engineered blocking systems, we bring the same engineering-led approach to each requirement.

Practical Steps for Getting Started

Moving from general understanding to specific procurement requires some groundwork:

• Document current freight types and volumes: What loads are you moving, in what configurations, and with what frequency?
• Assess existing restraint equipment: What’s working well, what’s failing, and what’s causing operator frustration?
• Review vehicle and trailer configurations: What anchorage points, deck surfaces, and space constraints exist?
• Identify compliance requirements: What standards apply to your transport operations, and are current practices meeting them?
• Consider lifecycle factors: Beyond purchase price, what are the serviceability, replacement, and spares implications of different options?

This preparation enables productive conversations with suppliers and informed evaluation of alternatives.

Moving Forward

Reliable freight restraint protects cargo, reduces damage claims, and—most importantly—keeps people safe. The right truck cargo restraint equipment matches your specific loads, vehicles, and operating conditions.

At Ferrier Industrial, we’re ready to discuss your requirements. Whether you need standard items from our existing range or custom-engineered solutions for unusual applications, our team can provide drawings, samples, and supply proposals. Share your freight profiles and vehicle configurations, and we’ll suggest practical options worth evaluating.

Load restraints for trucks deserve thoughtful specification. Get the fundamentals right, and restraint becomes routine. Get them wrong, and every load carries unnecessary risk.