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As an owner, manager or driver, you are responsible for the load on your trailer. It's as simple as that.

"It's your responsibility to tie down your load properly, securely and legally," says Jim Ladner, national sales manager, Landoll Trailers. "When you transport equipment, you accept the responsibility for any accident that may occur on your site, at a customer's site or on a public highway."

Yet, there can be many factors that distract you from properly securing a load. Maybe it's raining, it's cold or you're only moving that excavator a few miles down the road. But while you may be anxious to get done in a hurry, you are responsible for the lives and safety of the people in the immediate area, says John DeGeorge, national sales manager, Eager Beaver Trailers. "So slow down and take the time to load equipment safely," he says.

Know the limits

Securement specifics will be different for each piece of equipment you haul. But in general, there are certain factors to consider to safely and legally tie down equipment.

For starters, you need to know the load rating of the trailer and the weight of the equipment you're moving. The load rating can be found on the trailer identification plate or in the operator's manual. Equipment weight can be obtained by running it over a certified scale or referencing the owner's manual.