In this incident on January 11, 2019, Pro-Tow was called to help with a load shift in Kent, WA. A truck carrying 14,000 pounds of metal fencing had to make an emergency stop after the fencing began to slide. The driver stopped on another company’s property, who was less than thrilled, so Pro-Tow was quick to respond.

We arrived at the scene with the tools needed for a load shift service. We brought our overhead crane, commercial flatbed trailer and forklift, equipped with a certified driver. Pro-Tow then quickly went about transferring the shifted load onto our trailer and flatbed. We then safely tethered and secured the load before reloading in once again onto the customer’s truck in a way that guaranteed no other unexpected load shift.

Thanks to our prompt professional service and quick work of our team, we were able to avert a landslide and safely completed our load shift service. We also were able to quickly remove the load from the property owner’s land and ensure their business was not disrupted for long.

What Causes A Load To Shift?

When an unexpected load shift happens, it brings the risk of major and very serious accidents for both the semi-trucks carrying the loads and any vehicles nearby. The most common reason a load shift happens is that it was improperly loaded at the beginning. Proper weight distribution and securing the load, are key to avoiding a load shift.

Loads that are transported in a box container need to have their weight evenly distributed according to the axles of the trailer and the weight of the load. If the weight is uneven, it will affect how well the semi-truck can steer, brake and control its speed–all of which are things that we want to avoid, as they are what cause load shifts or loss of control.

Properly Securing Your Loads Is Key

In the case of transport on a flat-bed trailer, the loads will need to be securely strapped down. This is again to make sure the load is locked in place and won’t shift around or slide off during the transport. Direct tie-downs, chains and anchor points on the truck should all be in place and carefully secured to make sure your load doesn’t move.

In situations where a load has shifted or was improperly loaded to begin with, Pro-Tow is there to help! We can come to where you are and help safely and properly reload and secure your load so you can confidently continue on your way.