Loadbars and E-track ratchet straps solve different securement problems inside enclosed trailers. A Loadbar creates a rigid horizontal barrier that blocks freight from moving forward or backward. An E-track ratchet strap uses tension to hold cargo against an anchor system. Loadbars are often the better choice for pallet rows and one-way shipments, while E-track straps work well for individual items, irregular freight, and trailers that already have E-track. In some loads, combining both systems provides the most complete protection.

How Loadbars Restrain Freight

A Loadbar creates structural restraint across the width of an enclosed trailer. Logistick Loadbars use two pockets attached to opposing trailer walls and a 2×4 installed horizontally between them. The lumber is positioned against the freight to block movement before it starts.

This type of restraint is especially useful behind light- to medium-weight palletized cargo. Instead of applying pressure to the top or sides of an individual item, the Loadbar forms a barrier across the trailer. That allows the system to restrain a full pallet row or cargo section when it is properly selected and installed.

Loadbars should usually be installed horizontally, with the 2×4 parallel to the trailer floor, except in the case of space limitations. Both pockets should sit at the same height so the lumber remains level and makes proper contact with a stable portion of the load.

Logistick offers several Loadbar systems for different trailer conditions. Loadbar Wide® is the more versatile option and the default choice for most modern trailers: an extra-deep lumber pocket generates adequate outward pressure at today’s standard interior width of roughly 102 inches. Loadbar XL® is built for tighter applications in the 100½- to 102-inch range, and its perforated foam insert allows half the foam to be removed for excessively tight installs in trailers under 99 inches, which makes it useful in older, smooth-sided trailers. Both systems use a standard 96-inch 2×4, so the decision comes down to interior width rather than lumber.

How E-Track Ratchet Straps Restrain Freight

E-track ratchet straps rely on tension rather than a rigid barrier. Each end of the strap connects to E-track rails permanently mounted inside an enclosed trailer. The ratchet then tightens the webbing around or across the cargo.

This flexibility makes E-track straps useful for items that do not form a stable, uniform pallet row. Equipment, carts, appliances, machinery, mixed freight, and irregularly shaped products may be easier to control with straps positioned around suitable parts of the load.

Logistick offers 2-inch E-track ratchet straps in several lengths. The 12-foot, 16-foot, and 20-foot models have E-track fittings and a working load limit of 1,000 pounds. That working load limit applies to the strap assembly under its specified conditions. It should not be treated as a simple statement that one strap can secure any 1,000-pound shipment. Cargo weight, direction of movement, number of straps, anchor strength, strap angle, and load geometry all affect the final securement plan.

Ratchet straps must be tight enough to control the cargo without damaging it. Too little tension can allow movement, while excessive tension can crush packaging, deform products, or place unnecessary stress on the strap and anchor points.

When Loadbars Are the Better Choice

Loadbars are often the more practical option when freight is arranged in stable pallet rows inside an enclosed trailer. Because the system spans the trailer, a correctly positioned Loadbar can block a complete row instead of requiring a strap to be routed around each item.

They are also well-suited to one-way shipping. A conventional reusable load bar creates an ownership problem when the trailer or shipment does not return to the original facility. Someone must retrieve, store, track, and reposition the equipment. Bars may also be lost, left at a customer location, or unavailable when the next load is ready.

Logistick Loadbars are designed as economical one-way systems. They travel with the shipment, so the shipper does not need to arrange their return. This can make the true cost more predictable for irregular routes, customer deliveries, and operations that do not control the receiving trailer.

Installation is also straightforward once employees know the procedure. The application areas must be clean and dry, the correct lumber length must be used, and the Loadbar must be installed horizontally and snugly against the freight. Depending on the model, installation can generally be completed in one or two minutes.

When E-Track Ratchet Straps Are the Better Choice

E-track straps make sense when a trailer already has compatible E-track rails, and the freight needs flexible restraint. Multiple attachment slots allow workers to adjust strap placement for cargo that changes from load to load.

They can be particularly useful for:

• Individual items that need to be held against a trailer wall
• Irregular freight that does not create a uniform face for a Loadbar
• Cargo that needs restraint from more than one direction
• Repeated routes in company-controlled trailers
• Loads that need adjustable tension rather than a rigid barrier

E-track straps are reusable when they remain in acceptable condition, which can lower the cost per trip in a closed-loop operation. However, the purchase price is only part of the economic comparison. Reusable straps must be collected, inspected, stored, and returned to the loading point. Missing straps, damaged webbing, bent fittings, and jammed ratchets can increase the real cost of the system.

Before each use, inspect the webbing, stitching, ratchet, and E-track fittings. Remove any strap with cuts, significant abrasion, chemical damage, broken stitching, corrosion, deformation, or a ratchet that does not operate correctly. E-track rails and their attachment to the trailer must also be in suitable condition.

When to Combine Loadbars and Ratchet Straps

A Loadbar and E-track ratchet straps can perform complementary jobs inside the same enclosed trailer. For example, straps may stabilize individual items or prevent lateral movement, while a horizontal Loadbar blocks the rear of the overall cargo section. This approach can be useful when a load contains both palletized goods and irregular freight.

Combining systems does not automatically make a load secure. Each component must have a defined purpose, and the complete plan must account for cargo weight, packaging, void space, movement direction, anchor condition, and trailer construction. One system should not interfere with the correct installation or tension of the other.

Choosing the Right System for Your Operation

In general, businesses should choose a Loadbar when needing a rigid horizontal barrier, particularly behind stable pallet rows or for one-way shipments where retrieving reusable equipment is impractical. Alternatively, E-track ratchet straps may be a better choice when the enclosed trailer already has suitable E-track and the cargo needs adjustable tension, flexible placement, or restraint around individual items.

Also consider who owns the equipment and where it ends up after delivery. Reusability creates value only when the straps reliably return, remain undamaged, and can be inspected and stored efficiently. A one-way Loadbar may be more economical when return logistics would cost more than the securement device itself.

For loads that include both uniform pallets and irregular cargo, using Loadbars and E-track straps together may provide better control than relying on either method alone. If the correct setup is unclear, contact Logistick to find an appropriate solution for your freight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are load bars better than ratchet straps?

Neither system is better for every load. Load bars provide rigid horizontal restraint and often work well behind pallet rows. E-track ratchet straps use tension and are better suited to individual items, irregular freight, and adjustable anchor positions inside trailers equipped with E-track.

Can load bars and ratchet straps be used together?

Yes. Inside an enclosed trailer, E-track ratchet straps can stabilize individual items or control lateral movement, while a horizontal Loadbar blocks movement at the rear of the cargo section. Each component must be properly selected and installed for the load.

Are E-track ratchet straps reusable?

E-track ratchet straps are reusable when the webbing, stitching, fittings, and ratchet remain in acceptable condition. They should be inspected before every use and removed from service if they show cuts, significant abrasion, broken stitching, deformation, corrosion, chemical damage, or mechanical problems.

Should a Loadbar be installed horizontally or vertically?

A Loadbar should usually be installed horizontally, with the 2×4 parallel to the trailer floor. Both pockets should be installed at the same height on opposing walls so the lumber remains level. There are rare instances when a load bar should be installed vertically.