One of the most common causes of damaged goods is the shifting of loads during transit. While damage is a serious concern, shifting loads can also pose a serious safety risk on the road and to workers who have to unload shipments that have become unstable. The best way to prevent both shipment damage and increase worker safety is to use dunnage bags. At USA Strapping, our team is here to help you find the right dunnage bags for your applications and give you the skills you need to help your employees use dunnage bags effectively. We’ll take a closer look at dunnage bags and how you can use them as a safe alternative to less effective methods, such as over strapping.
What Are Dunnage Bags?
Dunnage bags are inflatable bags placed between gaps in pallets, cartons, or crates as they are loaded onto a trailer for shipment. When dunnage bags are inflated, they fill gaps in a trailer, making it harder for shipments to shift during transit and providing an extra layer of protection to your merchandise. When used properly, dunnage bags are an excellent way to prevent crushing damage, which can occur when shippers rely on over strapping to secure loads.
How to Choose the Right Size Dunnage Bag
Dunnage bags come in a variety of different sizes to accommodate different gaps between merchandise in a shipment. Small dunnage bags are ideal for filling smaller gaps and lighter palletized loads often seen with partial shipments. Medium dunnage bags are often used to fill gaps in standard palletized shipments of full-trailer loads. For tall freight, wide gaps, and heavy industrial shipments, large dunnage bags are the best option as they can withstand tough working conditions and fill large gaps that may be unavoidable with awkward-sized loads. Choosing a properly sized dunnage bag involves selecting one that inflates to fill gaps firmly without overexpanding and exerting excessive pressure on shipments.
PSI Inflation of Dunnage Bags
Different dunnage bags have different PSI inflation ratings; smaller bags typically require less PSI, while larger bags require more. You’ll typically use a dunnage bag with a lower PSI rating for shipments of lighter goods, such as paper products or other soft-packaged goods, and a higher PSI with larger dunnage bags for heavier loads. It is important to check the PSI rating for your specific dunnage bag before inflating, as over inflation can damage it and under inflation can lead to improper application.
Paper vs. Woven vs. Vinyl Dunnage Bags
Dunnage bags come in a variety of materials, including paper, woven, and vinyl skins. Paper dunnage bags are best used for dry shipments and are the most affordable single-use option. Woven dunnage bags offer water resistance that paper bags lack, but come with a higher price point. Vinyl dunnage bags are the most expensive option, but they are highly reusable and can accommodate larger loads. If you’re able to retrieve your dunnage bags after delivery, vinyl can be a much more cost effective option than single use paper dunnage bags. You’ll find dunnage bags of all sizes and materials at the best prices at USA Strapping!
Affordable Paper, Woven, and Vinyl Dunnage Bags at USA Strapping
To get started shopping for paper, woven, or vinyl dunnage bags, check out our wide selection of affordable dunnage bags at USA Strapping. For bulk orders or for more information on the best dunnage bags for your intended application, give our team a call today at 888-768-0001.