In this video, we’ll discuss the proper ways to position and secure a portable restroom to a truck and trailer including the proper strapping procedures, interlocking method, and the correct way to transfer equipment.
Loading the Portable Restroom
Since it is illegal to haul loaded sanitation equipment, it is important to ensure that the waste from each restroom’s holding tank and water from the sinks have been properly pumped and/or drained prior to moving. Failure to pump or drain waste from the units could cause serious damage to the equipment and create a troublesome waste situation for others.
Interlocking the Units
Most of our restrooms, except for a few specialty units, can interlock for transport. This unique design helps to prevent load shifting and ensures straps will remain secure throughout the duration of your day.
To properly interlock restrooms, you’ll need to start by loading two units to the front center of your trailer or truck, allowing 4 inches of space between the side rails and the side of each restroom. As you continue to load additional units, you’ll want to offset them ever-so-slightly, so the feet of the newly loaded restrooms are able to rest under the restrooms you had previously loaded.
You’ll continue to follow this method, staggering the units each time, until you’ve reached the end of your truck or trailer. If loaded correctly, you’ll have just enough room to fit the maximum number of units on your trailer, while also giving them very little room to shift during transport.
Transferring the Unit from Trailer to Truck
On occasion, you may be required to load or unload the stake bed of your truck with a trailer still attached. To do this, you’ll need to utilize the trailer bridge, which can be found on any trailer with an oversized tongue. This bridge will greatly assist in eliminating the gap between the trailer and the truck’s tailgate.
To use the bridge, you’ll first need to pull the spring-loaded safety pin and unfold the steel bridge over on to the top of the front trailer rail. While doing this, be sure to avoid any pinch points that could cause accidental injury. Please note, the bridge should only be used to safely transfer equipment. Never attempt to use it as a stepping stool to gain access to and from your vehicle.
Now that the bridge is in position, it’s time to unload the units. If the bridge and the tailgate aren’t sitting level, try lowering your tailgate to a desired height that makes sense. Next, you’ll need to pull the unit across the tailgate and on to the bridge. You’ll then step down and cross over to help pull the unit across the bridge and onto the trailer.
Once the unit has safely made the transfer and has been loaded or unloaded from your vehicle, it’s time to re-secure the bridge for transport. You can do this by, once again, folding the bridge back into its original transport position, and re-securing the spring-loaded pin for safety. Be sure to always follow this step and NEVER attempt to move your vehicle with the bridge still hinged over. As you can imagine, this will cause severe damage to the equipment and to the vehicle.
Properly Strapping the Restroom Unit
Now that the units are empty, loaded on to your vehicle, and made sure they’re properly interlocked, it’s time to strap everything down for transport.
To do this, you’ll always need to utilize two straps for safety. This redundancy will serve as extra protection to you and to those around you, should a strap fail. The only time you can get away with one strap is when units are loaded on a truck bed with a closed tailgate. In this scenario, the tailgate will serve as your redundant backup strap.
Part of your pre-trip is to verify you are supplied with the required amount of straps and that they are functional and undamaged. If you come across a damaged strap, be sure to dispose of it at the end of the day. Also, make notes on your post-trip paperwork so it can be replaced for whoever is driving your truck the following day.
After you’ve identified that all your straps are in working order, you’ll want to secure each strap to one of the many designated strapping points alongside your truck or trailer. It’s important that you always place the ratchet on the driver’s side of the vehicle. This will keep it in your line of sight should it ever loosen up. You’ll also want to make sure that you loop the strap around the trailer 1-2 times first and pull any slack out before clamping into place. This will provide an added measure of safety while in transport. Lastly, you’ll want to tie up any remaining strap as extra slack could rattle loose and become tangled in your trailer axle or other rotating parts.
Now that you’re safety strapped up, it’s time to head to your next stop.