A bakkie’s open load bin is what makes it so useful. You can throw in building material, furniture, garden refuse or stock and get going. It’s also why so many loads arrive damaged, or never arrive at all. Cargo that isn’t packed and tied down properly can shift, slide out or fly off at speed. That puts your goods and other road users at risk.
Here’s how to load a bakkie properly, whether you’re collecting a couch, delivering stock or running materials to site.
Know your weight limit
Every bakkie has a maximum payload: the combined weight of the cargo and passengers it can safely carry. A 1-ton bakkie is rated for roughly that, and super tonners are built for heavier loads. The exact figure is on the vehicle’s licence disc and in its specifications.
Overloading strains the suspension, tyres and brakes and makes the bakkie harder to control. It can also void insurance and lead to a fine. If you’re not sure what your load weighs, add up the delivery notes or spec sheets before you book. Then let us know so we can match the right vehicle.
Load heavy items first and keep them low
How you place the load affects how the bakkie drives.
- Heavy items go in first, pushed up against the front of the load bin, just behind the cab. This keeps the weight between the axles rather than hanging off the back.
- Keep the weight centred from side to side. A lopsided load makes the bakkie lean in corners.
- Keep heavy items low. Stack lighter, bulkier items on top or towards the tailgate.
- Fill gaps. Cargo with space to slide will build momentum under braking. Pack items tightly or use blankets and offcuts to stop movement.
Tie everything down
Gravity is not a tie-down. Even heavy items can shift when you brake hard or swerve.
- Use ratchet straps for anything heavy or bulky. They hold far better than rope or bungee cords.
- Hook straps onto the load bin’s tie-down points, not the tailgate or loose fittings.
- Cross straps over the load so it can’t move forwards, backwards or sideways.
- Cover loose material (sand, refuse, cut branches) with a tarpaulin or cargo net so nothing blows off.
- Stop after the first few kilometres and re-tighten the straps. Loads settle once you’re moving.
Use a canopy when the load needs protection
An open load bin is fine for building rubble, but not for boxes, electronics or anything that mustn’t get wet. A bakkie with a canopy keeps goods dry, out of sight and locked away. A volumetric canopy adds height for bulkier loads that won’t fit under a standard canopy.
If the goods are fragile, high-value or need to stay completely enclosed, a panel van may be the better option. Our van rentals are worth a look for that kind of load.
Don’t carry passengers in the load bin
It’s still common on South African roads, but riding in a load bin is extremely dangerous. There’s no protection in a collision, and there are legal restrictions on carrying people in a goods compartment. If you need to move a crew and their equipment together, use a double cab bakkie. It has seating for passengers and a load bin for tools and materials.
Watch for overhanging loads
Long items such as pipes, timber or ladders often stick out past the tailgate. South Africa’s road traffic regulations limit how far a load may project and require a projecting load to be clearly marked so other drivers can see it. If your load is too long to carry safely in a bakkie, it probably needs a truck.
Drive for the load you’re carrying
A loaded bakkie handles differently from an empty one.
- Allow longer following and braking distances.
- Take corners and speed bumps slower than usual.
- Avoid sudden lane changes, especially with a high or top-heavy load.
- Check your mirrors more often, as a tall load can block your view.
When the job is too big for a bakkie
If your load is too heavy, too long or too bulky for one trip, a larger vehicle will save time and fuel. For a house move or office relocation, our moving truck rental is usually the better fit. For tips on packing a household move, read how to make moving homes a little easier. If you’re still deciding which bakkie suits your load, our guide to choosing the right bakkie for your hire needs breaks down the options.
Quick loading checklist
- Load weight checked against the bakkie’s payload
- Heaviest items loaded first, against the front of the load bin
- Load centred and kept low
- Gaps packed so nothing can slide
- Ratchet straps attached to tie-down points and tightened
- Loose material covered with a tarp or net
- No passengers in the load bin
- Overhanging items clearly marked
- Straps re-checked after the first few kilometres
Get the right bakkie for your load
From 1-ton single cabs to double cabs, super tonners and canopied bakkies, the right vehicle makes loading easier and safer. Browse our bakkie hire options, request a quote online or call us on 0861 266 522.
