All you need to know for transporting goods
Transporting cargo on a bakkie is much simpler than using a car. There is much more storage room and unloading is a breeze. However, there are risks involved in driving a bakkie with goods on it. In many cases it happens that the cargo isn’t fairly secured, so ensuring that you have covered the basics of transportation with a bakkie is a necessity.
Get the equipment
Install additional tie-down anchors in the bed of your bakkie. You can purchase D-rings or other similar anchoring systems from auto parts stores and screw or bolt them directly to the bakkie bed for anchoring a specific load. However, it’s good to keep in mind that drilling the original metal of your bakkie may cause rust which can devalue the vehicle in the event of resale.
Install a non-skid bed liner to prevent damage to the bed’s factory finish. The bed liner is usually fabricated from polymer material, which will reduce load shifting on the slippery bed floor of your bakkie in the event of braking and other cornering situations.
A Tonneau cover is expensive, but a great investment. It is the ultimate cargo protection, offering locking ability, weather proofing and improved aerodynamics. The only drawback is that they prevent transportation of tall loads unless your bakkie has a good sturdy canopy.
When transporting lightweight goods
Use cargo netting for transporting light materials like insulation or lawn trash, this is to prevent the load from flying off the bakkie. Most nets come with hooks that attach to the seam underneath the sides of the bakkie’s bed or have attachment anchors that fasten permanently to the bakkie’s sides. The net is made from nylon or polyester fibre; which doesn’t rot and decay, it can be stored easily, is lightweight and easy to handle.
Secure small, loose, goods inside a pallet crate
A pallet crate is a secure way of keeping loose goods all in one place. They are fairly heavy, so they are less likely to slip on the bakkie’s floor. You can often find these pallets at scrap yards or building supply stores for free or available for a minor fee.
Keep goods safe from thieves
Ensure safety from a thief who has the opportunity to access the truck unnoticed. You can make it particularly difficult for a thief to steal your goods by doing the following:
- Park your bakkie in a well-lit area at night.
- Make sure your cargo can’t be seen by prying eyes, by covering it with a tarp or storing it in the container.
- Park your bakkie where it’s visible to passers-by.
- Lock the most valuable items inside the bakkie, out of sight if possible.
- Consider buying a double cab bakkie if you don’t have one. You will have more interior room for storing goods.
Now that you have covered the basics of knowing how to safely secure your bakkie’s load, you can go out and drive with ease knowing you will reach your destination hassle free.