Cargo Securing Methods: A Visual Guide to the 5 Types

What are the 5 cargo securing methods?

There are five cargo securing methods: tie-down (frictional) lashing, diagonal (direct) lashing, loop lashing, blockingja spring lashing. Choosing the right one matters more than tying the load down hard: on a roadside check, an inspector looks at whether the correct method was used and whether it has enough rated capacity — pick the wrong one and even a dozen straps won’t save you. This visual guide walks through all five: how each works, when to use it, the key angles, and the mistakes drivers most often make. Everything follows EN 12195-1 (calculation of securing forces) and EN 12195-2 (webbing lashings).

Hundreds of drivers have already saved this chart. Is it in your cab yet? Print it out, keep it near your rest spot — and at any roadside check you’ll know that every strap is doing its job.

The three pillars — locking, blocking and lashing

Under the standard, all cargo securing comes down to balancing forces in three ways, and every method below is a variation or combination of these:

• Locking — the load is fully fixed by its form (a container in its twist-locks). Usually no straps involved.
• Blocking — the load rests against a headboard, wall or stops and cannot move in that direction.
• Lashing — the load is held by tensioned straps, chains or wire ropes. Lashing splits into frictional (tie-down) ning direct lashing (diagonal, loop, spring).

Method 1 — Tie-down (frictional) lashing

How it works. The strap is thrown over the top of the load and tensioned, pressing the load onto the deck. What holds the load isn’t the strap itself but the friction force between the load and the floor, created by the tension.

Key numbers. Here the deciding figure is STF (Standard Tension Force), marked on the strap label — not LC. The strap should run as close to vertical as possible: the optimal angle is 75–90°. Effectiveness drops sharply as the strap gets flatter — at 30° you keep only about half the downward force. The effective capacity follows LC_eff = LC × sin α, so the angle is not a detail, it is the whole method.

When to use it. A universal method for high-friction loads (crates, pallets, sacks) that won’t tip over.

Common mistake. Running the strap too flat, and skipping anti-slip mats — without them the friction coefficient drops and the same number of straps no longer holds.

Method 2 — Diagonal (direct) lashing

How it works. Straps attach directly to the load (lashing eyes, frame, securing points) and run crosswise to points on the deck. Here the strap itself holds the load — its LC (Kinnitusvõimekus) does the work.

Key numbers. A minimum of 4 straps — two per side, crossed. Both the vertical angle α and the plan-view angle β should sit in the 30–60° range for the strap to work efficiently.

When to use it. Heavy, rigid loads with reliable securing points — machinery, steel structures, equipment — that can’t simply be pressed down.

Common mistake. Hooking a strap onto a random protrusion instead of a certified securing point. The point must withstand the load, or it will tear off before the strap does.

Method 3 — Loop lashing

How it works. The strap forms a loop around the load and is fixed to the deck on two opposite sides. The loop stops the load from spreading sideways and moves with it as a single unit.

When to use it. Groups of individual items, pipes, timber, rolls — anything that tends to spread apart. Place several loops along the length rather than one.

Common mistake. Using one loop on a long batch — the middle still shifts. Space the loops out.

Method 4 — Blocking against the headboard

How it works. The load is placed hard against the front headboard, a wall or wooden/metal stops, so it physically cannot move in that direction. Gaps are filled with spacers or inflatable dunnage bags.

When to use it. Almost always — as the foundation you then add straps to. The headboard holds the load under braking; side stops hold it in turns. Under emergency braking, the front wall takes the main impact.

Common mistake. Leaving gaps. Even 20–30 cm of free play means the load builds up speed and slams into the headboard — blocking only works when it’s tight.

Method 5 — Spring lashing (anti-tipping)

How it works. A sling loop is thrown over the corner or top edge of the load and fixed to the deck with two diagonal lashings on each side. This “spring” stops the top layer from toppling or sliding forward.

Key numbers. Keep the angle to the load surface at ≤45° — that way the spring holds against tipping most effectively.

When to use it. Tall stacked loads that tend to lean forward under braking: crates stacked several tiers high, palletised goods.

Common mistake. Relying only on tie-down straps for tall loads — they stop sliding but not tipping. Against leaning, you need spring lashing or blocking.

Cargo securing methods cheat sheet

The golden rule: methods are combined. Blocking at the front plus tie-down or diagonal straps is the norm, not over-caution. A single method rarely covers all directions of force — forward, backward, sideways and up.

Checklist before you roll out

• Load rests against the headboard or a front stop
• Angles are right — tie-down 75–90°, spring ≤45°
• All gaps are filled (spacers or dunnage bags)
• LC and STF are legible on the strap labels, and straps are free of cuts
• The method matches the load — heavy → diagonal, tall → spring
• Anti-slip mats are placed under the load

FAQ — cargo securing methods

What are the 5 cargo securing methods?

The five cargo securing methods are tie-down (frictional) lashing, diagonal (direct) lashing, loop lashing, blocking, and spring lashing. Tie-down works through friction, diagonal and loop hold the load directly, blocking uses a physical stop such as the headboard, and spring lashing prevents tall loads from tipping. Most loads combine several of them.

What angle should a tie-down (top-over) strap be?

The vertical angle of a tie-down strap should be between 75° and 90° — as close to upright as possible. The flatter the strap, the less it presses the load down: at around 30° you keep only about half of the effective force, because effective capacity follows LC_eff = LC × sin α.

How many straps do you need for diagonal (direct) lashing?

Diagonal lashing needs a minimum of four straps — two on each side, crossed. Both the vertical angle α and the plan-view angle β should sit between 30° and 60°. This method is designed for heavy, rigid loads such as machinery and steel that have reliable, certified securing points.

What is the difference between LC and STF?

LC (Lashing Capacity) is the strap’s rated holding force and matters for direct methods like diagonal lashing. STF (Standard Tension Force) is how hard the ratchet can pre-tension the strap, and it drives tie-down (frictional) lashing. Both are marked on the strap label in daN, where 1 daN ≈ 1 kg.

Which cargo securing method is best for heavy loads?

For heavy, rigid loads, diagonal (direct) lashing is usually best because the strap holds the load directly through its LC rather than relying on friction. Combine it with blocking against the headboard so the front wall absorbs braking forces. Tie-down alone is rarely enough for very heavy items.

Do I need anti-slip mats?

Yes, for tie-down lashing especially. Anti-slip mats raise the friction coefficient between the load and the deck, which is exactly what a frictional method relies on. Without them, the same number of straps provides less restraint, and you may need more straps to secure the same load.

Prepared by the LPX Trade cargo securing team. Last updated 1 July 2026. Based on EN 12195-1:2010 (AC:2014) and the EU Best Practices Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport. All LPX Trade straps, chains and rigging are certified to EN 12195-2 and tested by TÜV SÜD — find the right hardware for each method in our catalogue.
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