Anyone in Germany who fails to secure their cargo properly is not only putting themselves but also other road users at risk. In the event of a traffic check or an accident, the driver may be threatened with heavy fines. A point in Flensburg may also be due.
The whole fine overview as download is available here.
Hence, it is even more important that you get an overview of the topic of cargo securing in advance. So in the following, we have summarized the most crucial aspects for you.
Before you start moving, you should get an overview of your belongings. An upcoming move is also an ideal time to clean out your belongings. Sell, donate or dispose of everything that has accumulated over the last few years and is no longer needed. That way you also save a lot of money for additional moving boxes or a bigger transporter.
Speaking of moving boxes - Get enough unified moving boxes and don't pack them too full. You still need to be able to carry them and you want to avoid them giving way under the load. Delicate items like pictures or mirrors should be wrapped in removal blankets or bubble wrap.
The moving day has arrived. You have packed everything safely, organized a van and are ready to start. When loading the van, you should start with the moving boxes and use the entire height of the vehicle. As a general rule:
Heavy items go at the bottom
Light items go at the top
Long items should be secured to the wall of the vehicle
Heavy electrical appliances go last in the vehicle
Always pay attention to the permissible total weight and make sure that the individual vehicle axles are not disproportionately loaded. For more tips on packing, see our packing tips.
The German Road Traffic Regulations state the following about load securing: "The load, including load securing devices and loading equipment, must be stowed and secured in such a way that they cannot slip, fall over, roll back and forth, fall down or generate avoidable noise, even during emergency braking or sudden evasive action. In doing so, the recognized rules of technology must be observed." StVO §22
To secure your load, you should therefore use lashing and tensioning straps. Make use of the hooks attached to the wall of the loading area inside the vehicle for this purpose. Pack blankets can additionally be used to protect heavy objects from scratches and abrasive damage.
In order to provide you with a very special service, at Buchbinder Rent-a-Car you can also order tensioning straps, lashing straps and other moving accessories. Simply add them to your order during the booking process. An overview of prices can be found in our additional services & equipment. If you buy tensioning and lashing straps yourself, make sure that they are marked with the DIN EN 12195-2, have a GS logo & TÜV sign, the LC value fits the load and the straps fit into the load securing rails.
Your van is packed and you are on your way to your new home. You will quickly notice that a loaded van drives quite differently to a normal car.
Here's what you should be aware of when driving a loaded van or truck:
A longer braking distance
A slower acceleration
A more unstable cornering behavior
Therefore, be extra careful when you hit the road. Schedule enough time and don't let other road users rush you. You can find more tips on driving a van in our "Driving tips".
Tip: You are interested in which transporter or truck you are allowed to drive and which driver's license is necessary for which vehicle. Here is an overview!
