Plant Trailer Safety: Load & Secure Right | Brent Tips
- Brent
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
Key Points
Always load the machine forwards with heavy end over the axles.
Correct noseweight is critical for safe towing.
Secure loads with proper tie-downs, not rope.
Not Just a Digger Drop-Off
Plant trailers aren’t for guesswork, mate. They’re designed to shift serious kit — mini diggers, rollers, dumpers — and that means they demand proper loading. Get it wrong and you’ll have more wobble than a shopping trolley with a busted wheel.
Loading Right
The golden rule is simple: load the machine forwards with the heavy end over the axles. That keeps the weight where the trailer can handle it best. Put too much weight at the back and the trailer starts snaking, pulling your tow car all over the road. Too much weight at the front and your tow bar takes the strain — making your car sag and steering a nightmare.
Getting the noseweight right is the difference between a steady tow and a white-knuckle ride. Most vehicles and trailers have recommended noseweight figures — check your manual or VIN plate and aim to stay within that.
Strapping Securely
Once it’s in place, don’t just chuck a bit of rope over it and call it good. Plant machinery needs proper ratchet straps, rated for the load you’re carrying. Bungy cords, old rope, or whatever’s lying in the shed simply won’t cut it.
Every strap should be tight, secure, and checked before you set off. A machine sliding about on a trailer isn’t just unsafe — it’s dangerous to everyone else on the road. A few minutes strapping properly saves you from a disaster.
Safety First, Every Time
Remember, when you’re moving plant, you’re not just protecting your gear — you’re protecting your business, your licence, and everyone you share the road with. The police don’t mess around when it comes to overloaded or unsecured trailers, and neither will your insurance company.
Do it the Brent way: load it forward, balance it right, strap it properly, and double-check before you pull away.
-Heavy duty, light work – Brent.
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