R+L Carriers describes the packaging and shipping requirements for unique items such as bags, long objects, drums and pails, reels, and rolls. Also, learn about the security and recommendations for building or using commercial shipping crates.

2. Some freight will not fit
neatly onto a pallet.
● Increased risk of damage
if special care is not given
● Unique items call for
unique packing to ensure
their protection
FACE IT

3. The right packaging = the right protection
PACKAGING OPTIONS

4. Problem: Bags can be easily punctured.
Solution:
● Place a sheet of cardboard on the pallet
before placing the bags to prevent them
from “sagging” between the deck boards.
● Stack in an interlocked formation to prevent
shifting.
● Don’t overhang the pallet!!
● Protect the perimeter with cardboard
before wrapping with a generous amount of
stretch wrap.
BAGS

5. Problem: Shifting and Sliding
● Do not band to a pallet, as it presents a shifting hazard
Solution:
● The best way is to bundle them into crates
● If crating is not an option, use metal bands and nylon
chokers
Special note: If product can be damaged from coming into contact with
freight handling equipment, it should be packaged to eliminate anything
from coming in contact with it.
LONG OBJECTS

6. ● To prevent puncture from a raised nail
head, place a sheet of cardboard on top of
the pallet before placing the drums.
● If stacked on a pallet, secure with banding
or shrink wrap.
● All pallets should have solid deck boards
with minimal gaps
● Drums should be as close to center as
possible
Special note: Drums are single stack only. Pails can be
stacked three high.
DRUMS/PAILS

7. WHAT IS
DUNNAGE?
● Inexpensive materials used to load and
protect freight during transit
● Examples: Packing Peanuts, cardboard,
boards, blocks

8. Secure to skids in all four directions with
metal, plastic, or nylon banding
GAYLORDS

9. Problem: They roll!
Solution:
● Anchor reels through the center to a
pallet and add blocking and bracing to
form a “cradle”.
● This eliminates rolling and shifting
during transit
REELS
Image TK
(image of reel properly secured to pallet)
Will probably need to shoot this.

10. Problem: Easy to damage
Solution:
● Should have an inner packaging core to allow
for use of forklift attachments
● Cover product completely with protective
plastic
ROLLS

11. Problem: Easy to tip over!
Solution:
● Items with a high center of gravity
should be banded to a wider base to
prevent tipping
● Placard two sides as “Top Heavy”
TOP HEAVY
ITEMS

12. ● If you can’t secure it, crate it!
● Important!! Strengthen the
corners and edges for protection
● Perfect for high value or hard to
package items
CRATES

13. In this example, the corners and edges are
reinforced, but doesn’t offer much in the way of
strength.
A heavy crate stacked on top may crush it.
CRATES
MINIMUM PROTECTION

14. ● Vertical supports like these increase
strength by about 1.2 times
● Still not very strong, but better
CRATES
MORE PROTECTION

15. ● A single diagonal board on each side of
the crate makes it about 6 times
stronger.
● Now we’re getting there!
CRATES
MEDIUM PROTECTION

16. ● Adding two diagonal boards to each side of
the crate makes it nearly 12 times
stronger!
● You want your freight to be protected by
something 12 times stronger, right?
CRATES
MAXIMUM PROTECTION

17. ● Use three-way interlocking corners when
attaching reinforcement boards
● Nail into the grain to tie the two sides of the
crate together.
CRATES
INTERLOCKING CORNERS

18. WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO
BUILD A CRATE?

19. SHIPPING CRATES
What to look for when ordering service:
● Easy to assemble
● Easy to ship
● Maximum Protection
● Security – does it lock?
● Can you track and trace it?

20. View the next slide for a video on how to assemble a You Crate, a
popular product from R+L Carriers.
YOU CRATE

21. Need help?
Call 800-546-5589 or visit
RLC.com
v
For additional crating options visit
youcrate.com