Load Securing on Trucks

In commercial road freight, load securing is daily business with clear technical rules: § 22 StVO, the VDI 2700 guideline, and the accident-prevention regulations of the trade associations define how cargo must be secured on trucks and vans in Germany.

The 80/50/50 rule

Every securing concept starts from the assumed acceleration forces:

• forwards: 0.8 g — cargo must be secured against 80 % of its weight
• sideways: 0.5 g — 50 % of the cargo weight
• backwards: 0.5 g — 50 % of the cargo weight

A 1,000 kg pallet therefore needs securing that absorbs 800 kg of force forwards — far more than a single loosely tensioned strap provides.

Tie-down vs. direct lashing

• Tie-down lashing (friction-based): straps press the cargo onto the load bed and increase friction. Simple but force-hungry — the required pre-tension quickly demands many straps. Anti-slip mats (friction coefficient ~0.6) cut the number of straps drastically and are the professional standard.
• Direct lashing (positive-fit): straps, chains, or nets connect fixed lashing points directly to the cargo (diagonal, loop, or head lashing). Absorbs forces directly and is more efficient for heavy goods.
• Positive fit: place cargo gap-free against the front wall and side walls; fill gaps with pallets or dunnage bags — the foundation everything else builds on.

Lashing straps must be labelled (LC/STF tag) and undamaged; damaged straps are scrap.

Who is responsible?

Responsibility is layered — and every party can be held accountable:

• Driver: checks before departure and en route (traffic-safe stowage)
• Loader/sender: transport-safe loading
• Keeper/operator: suitable vehicle, lashing equipment, training, and organisation

At inspections, fines hit drivers (from €60 plus a point when endangering others) and keepers/loaders (considerably higher); accidents add criminal proceedings and recourse claims. Driving on is barred until re-secured.

Pre-departure checklist

1. Check cargo weight and distribution (axle loads!)
2. Establish positive fit, fill gaps
3. Place anti-slip mats
4. Set straps per plan and verify pre-tension
5. Document reservations and specifics on the consignment note

The full pre-departure check as a printable checklist is available for free in our templates section.

If you commission transports rather than drive: on a Maxmove direct drive, the driver handles proper securing — from parcel to pallet, with the right vehicle and equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Is VDI 2700 legally binding? It is not a statute, but courts treat it as the "recognised rules of technology" — following it puts you on the safe side.

How many straps do I need? That depends on weight, friction coefficient, and lashing angle. Rules of thumb don't replace calculation — lashing-force calculators or manufacturers' tables help.

What applies in a 3.5 t van? The same rules as on trucks — § 22 StVO knows no vehicle classes. Vans are frequent inspection findings precisely because lashing points and mats are missing.

Sources

• § 22 StVO – cargo (German Road Traffic Regulations)
• VDI 2700 – load securing on road vehicles (VDI)