How to Secure Cargo in a Pickup Truck

Pickup trucks are incredibly versatile vehicles, perfect for easily transporting large items around town. However, what do you do when your cargo is too bulky, tall, or just won't fit securely in the bed of your pickup truck?

That’s where securing your load comes in. There are various tools available to help with this, such as bungee cords, tarps, and nets. However, as experts in DIY loading and hauling, we highly recommend using ratchet straps or ratchet tie-downs.

Whether you're grabbing a new leather sofa from the furniture store, hauling construction materials for a renovation project, or just heading to storage with a few items, here is how to properly secure cargo in a pickup truck using ratchet straps or tie-downs.

How to Use Ratchet Tie-Downs for Securing Your Load

1. Balance Your Cargo

Before securing your cargo, make sure it's balanced and loaded correctly. Place heavier items toward the front of the bed, closer to the cab, and lighter items toward the back, near the tailgate. If you're stacking items of different weights, always put the heavier ones at the bottom and the lightest ones on top.

2. Double Check Your Load Limit

All hauling/cargo equipment – from your truck to your ratchet straps/tie-downs – has a load limit. Staying under this limit ensures safe hauling and prevents equipment malfunctions.

For ratchet straps specifically, make sure the weight of your load is within the working load limit of the straps. If it exceeds the limit, you should use more than one strap.

U-Haul Ratchet Tie-Downs, for example, have a working load limit of 800 lbs, while the U-Haul Sport Strap (‘S’ hook) has a working load limit of 500 lbs.

3. Locate the Tie-Down Points

Most pickup trucks have several tie-down points in the truck bed. Some have post holes, while others have D-rings. You can usually find these tie-down points near the tailgate, inside the bed, and near the cab.

4. Strap In Your Cargo

If using ratchet tie-downs, take the end of the tie-down and loop it through the anchor points found in your truck. Loop the strap underneath and over your cargo – adjust the strap so that the buckle is near the top.

If using ratchet straps with ‘S’ hooks, you don’t need to loop the strap under your cargo. You can simply place the strap over the top of the cargo, attaching the hooks to the anchor points in your bed on both sides.

To prepare the buckle for tightening, insert the tip of the nylon strap under then through the slot of the cylindrical metal center piece and pull all the slack through the slot so that it’s tight around your cargo.

5. Tighten the Ratchet Straps

To tighten, open and close the buckle until your belongings are tightened securely. To release the ratchet, press the top release button to open the ratchet handle as far as it will go. To loosen the strap, hold release switch on the inside of the buckle while pulling the strap loose.

Why It’s Important to Secure Cargo in a Pickup Truck

First, securing cargo in the bed of a pickup truck is the law. It’s also a major safety concern. Roughly 17,000 people are injured each year due to auto collisions caused by objects in the road – 81% of those involve unsecured loads.

It’s also crucial for keeping your belongings safe and secure during the drive. To protect your items and keep other drivers safe, secure all cargo using a ratchet tie down. If you are loading multiple items in your truck, use more than one tie-down.

Securing Your Load Using Other Methods

Keep in mind that there are other ways to secure cargo in a pickup truck. There also tarps, cargo nets, bungee cords, cam straps, and nylon rope. Shop all ropes and tie downs.