Safety & Compliance · PDF template
Free Cargo Securement Checklist
A cargo securement checklist built around the FMCSA 49 CFR 393 tie-down rules: working load limits, the number of tie-downs, and the commodity-specific requirements that keep a load on the trailer. Use it alongside our fleet calculators to size the costs this template tracks, or browse fleet management software when you are ready to automate the workflow. See all downloads in the template library, and check the fleet glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
Built and reviewed by the FleetOpsClub research team. Preview it free below.
- Tie-down count and working-load-limit (WLL) verification items
- Aggregate WLL guidance relative to cargo weight
- Commodity-specific reminders (logs, pipe, coils, vehicles, etc.)
- Pre-trip, en-route, and re-check steps for securement
- Editable CSV. Yours to keep
- Print or save as PDF
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How to use it
- 1
Confirm the number of tie-downs meets the minimum for the article's length and weight before departure.
- 2
Verify the aggregate working load limit of the securement system is at least half the cargo weight (general rule). Check the specific rule for your commodity.
- 3
Use edge protection where straps or chains pass over sharp corners.
- 4
Re-check securement within the first short distance after departure and periodically en route.
- 5
Apply the commodity-specific rules for any cargo type with dedicated requirements (logs, metal coils, vehicles, etc.).
What's inside
- Tie-down count and working-load-limit (WLL) verification items
- Aggregate WLL guidance relative to cargo weight
- Commodity-specific reminders (logs, pipe, coils, vehicles, etc.)
- Pre-trip, en-route, and re-check steps for securement
- An ungated, printable format for the driver
Preview the template
Here's a real sample of the layout — the actual columns and structure you'll work in. The complete template, plus the editable spreadsheet, unlocks the moment you enter your email.
Preview
Cargo Securement Checklist
Tie-Down System
- Enough tie-downs for article length and weight
- Aggregate WLL at least half the cargo weight (general rule)
- Tie-downs, chains, and binders free of damage and within WLL
- Anchor points and rub rails sound
- Edge protection used over sharp corners
Load Positioning & Blocking
+5 more items in this section
Commodity-Specific Checks
+5 more items in this section
Pre-Trip & En-Route
+5 more items in this section
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions buyers usually ask once the category, software, or rollout details start getting more specific.
The minimum depends on the article's length and weight under 49 CFR 393. There are baseline rules (for example, requirements that scale with length) plus higher minimums for specific commodities. Verify the current rule for the cargo you're hauling.
WLL is the rated capacity of a tie-down or securement device. The general rule is that the aggregate WLL of the system must be at least half the weight of the cargo being secured. Each strap, chain, and binder is marked with its WLL.
Yes. 49 CFR 393 includes commodity-specific requirements for logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe, intermodal containers, automobiles, heavy machinery, and more. Apply those rules in addition to the general ones.
Inspect within the first short distance after starting a trip, then periodically, at stops and after the load may have shifted. Loads settle and straps loosen, so a single pre-trip check isn't enough for a long haul.