Reducing Damage

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Reducing Damage Improving Cube Efficiency With
Inflatable Dunnage Handling Large Voids With
Multiple Bag Installations.
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Air bags are blocking bracing tools not
inflatable void fillers! Our bags are tested and
certified by the Association of American
Railroads (AAR), available as multi-ply kraft
paper or woven polypropylene.
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Theyre inserted into a void between freight and
filled with compressed air.
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The bag expands, fills the void and locks the
load to the trailer side-walls.
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Its not rocket science, but its the best
insurance shippers can get against damage caused
by freight shifting in transit.
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Three simple steps to stop damage

• Load freight tight front-to-back and side-to-side

• Insert air bag in selected locations

• Inflate to construct a freight bulkhead and lock
  the load in place.

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And, what do air bags do that load locks, straps,
nets, void fillers, rigid dunnage, and anti-skid
mats cant?
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Air bags eliminate, not just reduce, freight
shift and movement in all axis

• Front-to-back

• Side-to-side

• Up-and-down

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• Level I II are for trucks containersLevel
  III, IV, V are engineered for rail shipments.

Air Bags 101

• All our bags are available as reusable

• We offer a complete product line in both
  multi-ply paper, and woven polypropylene for
  customers who prefer synthetics..

• Air bags are blocking bracing tools not
  inflatable void fillers

• Protect the air bag when chafing, abrasion or
  puncture could occur use old corrugated material
  or anything else suitable.

• Keep the air bag off the floor

• Reduce the void smaller is better. Refer to
  manual for maximum inflation size.

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Poor skid construction and unsound loading
practices are the enablers of movement.
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Part 1 building skids that survive.
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Work hard to eliminate under stacked edges on
pallets. This eliminates mini-voids between
skids and allows freight to support freight.
Work to build skids with sides as flat as
possible, and select the right size pallet for
your freight.
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Understack looks like this, and it robs the load
of stability and efficiency.
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• Skid Stack-Out
• How To Handle It When You Cant Eliminate It
• When under stacked freight is encountered
  (freight does not come to edge of skid), improve
  load integrity by placing flattest surface next
  to trailer wall.
• Position side of skid with under stack to center
  of trailer (where air bag goes)
• This type load positioning allows the air bag
  fill the mini void created by under stacked
  freight provide improved load integrity.

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• Skid Shape
• When building skids, avoid the all to common
  pyramid shape like the plague. It dooms you to
  damage prone, low efficiency shipments. This
  skid features the worst of everything, including
  understacked edges. How would you ship a truck
  load of this?

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Inspect pallets before loading. Theyre a little
like poker youve got to know when to hold em,
and when to fold em. Never ship skids with
broken pallets.
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75 of shipping damage occurs or begins in the
back 15 ft. of the trailer, so focus on the
cause, not the effect. Youve got to understand
damage before you stop it.
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Moving freight means exposure to damage. Its a
simple equation stop the movement, stop the
damage!
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Sound Loading Practices
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1st Begin with the end in mind load freight
with air bags in mind, then use them.
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2nd Sweep the floor of the van. If you dont
have a broom, this man will make you one.
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Sweep out trailers before reloading. Trash on
the floor damages floor loaded freight, makes
skids more prone to shifting, and accumulates in
the front of the van causing the 2 front skids of
each load to be unsupported by the front of the
van.
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3rd For truck loads, load the first four feet at
400 lbs/ft, then the remainder of the load at 800
lbs/ft.
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4th If you have easily damaged, or unstable
freight, load it in the nose of the van when
possible. The softest ride is there.
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5th At minimum, divide the load into three
segments and end each load segment with an air
bag installation.
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6th Save the best freight for building bulkheads
with air bags, and save the best of the best for
the end of the load.
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7th When load shape changes, begin stacking up
and stacking down with an air bag installation.
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8th Get that alligator freight off the tail.
Bury it in the load interior immediately ahead of
or behind a bulkhead.
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9th On loads with multiple drops, end each load
segment with an air bag installation.
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Multiple Drop Loads
Rear
First, stage and load the first load segment
Then, secure the rear of that load segment with
an air bag
Load remaining load segments in the same manner
until the loads complete
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Securing the end of each load segment with a
solid air bag installation keeps the load secure
throughout delivery, and no time is spent
stacking down and securing freight left on truck
after each stop.
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10th Load freight tight, and tight means tight.
Tight means touching, not close.
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Tight loads move less and are easily blocked and
braced with air bags. Each pair of skids should
have 7 of the 8 sides supported. Bulkhead skids
have all sides supported.
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Using air bags doesnt increase loading/unloading
time it actually decreases it. Theres no
damaged or spilled contents to restack, resecure,
or replace. Loads arrive as shipped!
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When installing air bags the smaller the void,
the better the bag works. Overly large voids
decrease effectiveness of air bags and cost you
in cube efficiency! Work hard to ship freight,
not air!
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If the void cant be reduced effectively where
one bag works, multiple bags may be used, but
only if you use them properly.
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• Handling Large Voids
• When one bag wont do
• Alternatives
• Doing it the right way
• Proper bag position
• What trouble looks like
• Proper inflation pressure

Rear of Van
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• Handling Large Voids
• Some voids are just too large to be handled
  properly by any size single bag. When this
  situation arises, you have a variety of choices
  of how to handle this common occurrence. The
  following suggestions show proven methods for
  dealing with large voids in over the road truck
  shipments.

Even with the bag in the illustration
tremendously over inflated, theres still much
void left between the rear skids on this load.
With modern dry vans getting wider and wider,
shippers are faced with difficult decisions on
what to do and how to do it regarding the
handling of overly large voids.
Rear of Van
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• Handling Large Voids
• Multiple bag installations should be used only
  when the void size exceeds the maximum
  recommended width for the bag size being used, or
  when the load cant be reconfigured in a way to
  reduce the void size sufficient to use a single
  bag. Remember the maximum void sizes for our
  bags 24 wide bags 6. 36 wide bags 10.
  48 wide bags 12. 60 wide bags- 18.

Note how large and round air bags get when used
in large voids. Air bags wont provide much
blocking and bracing in a void this size youll
need to install void reduction material,
additional bags, or change to a wider bag size.
Rear of Van
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• Handling Large Voids
• First, try to add a skid to reduce the void.
  This improves cube efficiency and uses fewer
  bags. This would be the first choice.

Note how we added a skid, and reduced the need
for air bags to just one, and with a reasonable
void. Smaller is always better when youre
talking about void size.
Rear of Van
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• Handling Large Voids
• If you cant reduce the void by adding skids,
  try turning the skids to a different position
  where two bags can be used to effectively fill
  the void. The void size shown here is large and
  is at the extreme maximum for adequate
  installations.

Note how we turned the rearskids to reduce the
total void and allow us to use just 2 bags to
handle this large void. Adding another skid is
still the best choice here.
Rear of Van
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• Handling Large Voids
• If you cant reduce the void sufficiently by
  adding skids or turning skids to a different
  position, try using old pallets or other suitable
  void reduction material such as void filler
  panels or hexacomb panels.

Depending on the cost of your pallets, void
filler panels can be a very cost effective way to
effectively reduce the void to a manageable size.
Contact us for more information on this type
product.
Rear of Van
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• Two Bag Installations
• Position skids where the resulting voids are all
  exactly the same size and dont exceed the
  capability of the bag youre using. Remember
  that voids get larger as the bag is inflated and
  the freight is pushed out and locked to the
  trailer walls, so allow for this in your
  calculations and positioning.

Note how we divided the voids between skids into
equal units. This is a crucial first step, and
must be done correctly for a reliable
installation.
Rear of Van
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• Two Bag Installations
• Heres a look from the rear at how things should
  look with both bags installed. Note the void
  size is the same, and the skid sides are standing
  upright and not tilted in any direction. If
  things dont look like this, youll need to
  correct the problem by deflating the bags and
  correcting the cause.

Rear of Van
2 bag installations require more work than using
1 bag, but if they look like this, youll get a
good result.
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Rear of Van

• Two Bag Installations
• Skids can be positioned in this manner as well
  when using mutliple bags. Just remember the
  voids must be the same size, and the both bags
  must be inflated to the same pressure.

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• Two Bag Installations
• Remember... Keep the void size consistent. The
  large void in the center invites the skids to
  pivot out of position because of the small amount
  of surface contact between the air bag and the
  freight. If you get to this point, deflate the
  bags, reposition the freight and get things right.

Just a little load movement and the center bag
will allow the skids to pivot on the floor and
the bag eject out of position. The result is
toppled skids, damage, and danger to the poor
soul who opens the door. Do whatever it takes to
get both voids to the same size with the bags
installed.
Rear of Van
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• Never Try This
• Never use multiple bags in the same void. Youre
  almost 100 sure to lose blocking and bracing
  during shipment. One bag will nearly always be
  ejected, and at best its a very weak
  installation. When air bags push against each
  other in a common void its much like trying to
  push two basketballs together the harder you
  push, the more they want to escape your grip.

Rear of Van
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• Void Size
• Look at the difference in surface contact between
  the surface of the bag and the surface of the
  skid when the void is large. Large voids just
  invite trouble.

Surface contact between the bag and skid is shown
by the light green area. Air bags work much
better when a lot of the bag touches a lot of the
skid. Keeping void sizes small and using the
right size bag are keys to good load quality.
About 70 of the skids side surface should be in
solid physical contact with the air bag.
Rear of Van
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• Handling Large Voids
• If all else fails, you can add a 3rd bag, and if
  done correctly you can block and brace the load
  with no problem, but it requires some work and
  good planning.

Note how we divided the voids between skids into
3 equal units, then installed bags in each void.
It looks simple, but looks can be deceiving.
Rear of Van
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• Three Bag Installations
• First step position the skids where the
  resulting three voids are all exactly the same
  size and dont exceed the capability of the bag
  youre using. Remember that voids get larger as
  the bag is inflated and the freight is pushed out
  and locked to the trailer walls, so allow for
  this in your calculations and positioning.

Note how we divided the voids between skids into
3 equal units. This is a crucial first step, and
must be done correctly for a reliable
installation.
Rear of Van
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• Three Bag Installations
• Next, check the rear skids to ensure theyre
  tight to the freight immediately in front of
  them. Also check that the skid faces form a
  straight line across the van. If a skid is
  twisted, out of position, or not tight to the
  skids behind it, the installation can fail.

Note how the rear skids are tight to the skids in
front of them, and theyre sitting straight in
the van. The ends of the skids are parallel with
the orange dotted line running across the van and
perpendicular to the van sidewalls.
Rear of Van
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• Three Bag Installations
• After youre sure the skids are positioned
  correctly, you can begin installing the bags.
  Begin with the center bag, and inflate it until
  the tops of the skids just begin to spread and
  lean slightly toward the trailer sidewalls. The
  next slide illustrates what the installation
  looks like at this step.

Always begin 3 bag installations with the center
bag. Be sure and position the bag at the top of
the skids being braced and evenly from side to
side. All three bags and the skids need to be
installed on the same centerline for things to
work well.
Rear of Van
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Rear of Van

• Three Bag Installations
• Heres how the skids look after the first bag is
  installed.

Its natural for the skids to tip outward when
the center bag is installed. Youll correct this
when bags 2 and 3 are installed. The tilt of the
skids in this drawing is exaggerated for
illustration purposes.
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• Three Bag Installations
• After the center bag is inflated just a bit and
  the tops of the skids tip outward slightly,
  install one of the side bags. Inflate this bag
  until the bundles are pushed back to an upright
  position, or just slightly past upright.

Inflate the 2nd bag until the skids stand
upright, or just slightly past upright.
Rear of Van
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Rear of Van

• Three Bag Installations
• Heres how the skids look after the second bag is
  installed.

Dont over do it on this bag. Generally the
skids just tip slightly. The tilt of the skids
and bags is exaggerated in the drawing for
illustration purposes.
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• Three Bag Installations
• Now, install the 3rd bag. Inflate this bag until
  the skids are standing upright or just slightly
  past upright. Step back and look at the freight
  and your work. If everything looks OK, then
  reconnect your air supply to the center bag and
  increase the inflation pressure to firm up the
  bag, taking care not to over inflate the bag or
  increase the void to over 10.

3 bag installations require you to disconnect and
reconnect the air supply at least 2 times and
sometimes 3 to get the pressures just right. It
takes some work, but the result is a reliable
installation.
Rear of Van
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Rear of Van

• Three Bag Installations
• Heres a look from the rear at how things should
  look with all bags installed. Note the void size
  is the same, and the skid sides are standing
  upright and not tilted in any direction. If
  things dont look like this, youll need to
  correct the problem by deflating the bags and
  correcting the cause.

3 bag installations require more work than using
1 or 2 bags, but if they look like this, youll
get a good result.
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• Three Bag Installations
• What you dont want to see note how the skids
  have twisted and the center void has opened up
  toward the rear of the van. You can be assured
  this bag will be ejected during transit, and
  youll lose blocking and bracing for the load.
  If your installation turns sour, take the time to
  deflate the bags, reposition the freight and
  begin again.

Note the wedge shape of the center void it just
invites the center bag to be ejected.
Rear of Van
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• Three Bag Installations
• You dont want this either note the differences
  in the voids. The large void in the center
  invites the skids to pivot out of position
  because of the small amount of surface contact
  between the air bag and the bundles. If you get
  to this point, deflate the bags, reposition the
  freight and get things right.

Just a little load movement and the center bag
will allow the skids to pivot on the floor and
the bag eject out of position. The result is
toppled skids, damage, and danger to the poor
soul who opens the door. Do whatever it takes to
get all 3 voids to the same size with the bags
installed.
Rear of Van
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• Never Try This
• Never use multiple bags in the same void. Youre
  almost 100 sure to lose blocking and bracing
  during shipment. One bag will nearly always be
  ejected, and at best its a very weak
  installation. When air bags push against each
  other in a common void its much like trying to
  push two basketballs together the harder you
  push, the more they want to escape your grip.

Rear of Van
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• Void Size
• Look at the difference in surface contact between
  the surface of the bag and the surface of the
  skid when the void is large. Large voids just
  invite trouble.

Surface contact between the bag and skid is shown
by the light green area. Air bags work much
better when a lot of the bag touches a lot of the
skid. Keeping void sizes small and using the
right size bag are keys to good load quality.
About 70 of the skids side surface should be in
solid physical contact with the air bag.
Rear of Van
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Rear of Van

• Multi-Bag Installations
• Remember, if your installation has more than one
  bag, the pressure in all bags must be very near
  the same or you can expect a bad result. So,
  test each installed bag with your fist, and
  adjust all the bags to the same firm feel by
  adding or taking out air as we just discussed.

All bags in a multi bag installation must be
inflated to very near the same pressure. You can
get pressures sufficiently close by getting all
bags to feel the same with the method we
described.
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Rear of Van

• Testing Your Work
• Once everything looks good, get a solid grip on
  one of the skids and try to move it. If you
  cant move it with a hard push or pull, your
  chances are very good that the load will arrive
  looking exactly as it was shipped. If you detect
  movement, inspect the installation, find the
  source of the problem and correct it.

Slight movement under a hard push or pull is OK.
You can tell with a little experience and
practice when things are right.
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Close the doors with confidence and know this
load will arrive as shipped!
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Shipping where large changes in elevation are
encountered air bags gain 1 psig of pressure
every 2250 ft of increase in elevation. So
reduce void size and limit inflation pressure to
1 psig to prevent bag failure.
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Protect the air bag. Where chafing, abrasion or
puncture could occur, pad the bag with corrugated
material or anything else to protect the bag. On
double stacked skids, pad any parts of the air
bag which come in contact with the pallet.
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Position air bags properly. Ensure the bag does
not ride on the floor or extend much over a few
inches above the top of the skid or past the
sides. Bags should be placed near the top of the
skids theyre bracing.
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Accurate inflation pressure is important. 1 psig
inflation pressure is the target for your loads.
Be sure the freight has moved into contact with
the van sidewalls, and is securely locked in
place.
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• Estimating Air Pressure
• If the bag is properly inflated, youll be able
  to push your fist into the bag just enough to
  flatten out the rounded edge surface of the
  bag. If you can push your fist into the bag more
  than ½, theres not enough air in it. Reconnect
  the inflation tool, add air, and test again with
  your fist. When the pressure feels right, it is
  right.

This drawing is shown looking straight down on
the top of the air bag installation.
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Inspect reusable bags after each use, and again
before its reused. If damage is detected,
retire the bag dont take a chance that it
might be ok!
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If the void will be over 12 after the bag is
installed, do something to reduce the size spin
one or both of the skids, use pallets to take up
space, or split the freight and use multiple bags.
Remember...
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Remember...
With the bag fully inflated, voids should be 12
or less, and smaller is always better.
Void Width
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Protect the Bag
Remember...
Protect the air bag with corrugated material to
prevent failure and ensure additional uses.
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Remember...
Dont be tempted to use multiple air bags
together to fill a large void
Youre inviting disaster one of the bags is
nearly always ejected during transit, leaving the
load unbraced.
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Remember...
Avoid using air bags as leveling or elevation
devices
While this might work some of the time, its not
a recommended application.
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Remember...
Tighten the valve securely into the base to
prevent leakage. Once its finger tight, grip it
securely and give it another ¼ to ½ turn to
ensure it doesnt leak.
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Remember...
Fill the bag until the freight stops moving and
is locked securely to the trailer walls. Bag
should be firm and tight to the touch, but not
over inflated. Use the fist test to get it
just right.
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Remember...
Test your work try to shake and move the
freight. If nothing moves the installation is
secure. If movement is noted, correct the
problem, and add air if needed.
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Remember...
Good load closure is key to damage free shipping.
How you load, block, and brace the last 15 of
the load has a huge impact on load stability.
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The Reuse Cycle
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If your bags are reusable, recover them in this
way for the next use cycle.

• Depress the valve stem momentarily to relieve
  working pressure in the bag.

• Unscrew valve from the valve base to fully
  relieve pressure in the bag.

• Carefully remove the bag to avoid snags, and
  inspect it. If damage is noted, discard the bag
  and remove the valve to prevent accidental reuse.

• Store good, inspected bags in an appropriate bin
  or cart theyre ready for the next use cycle.

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• Damage free shipping

• High load averages

• Satisfied customers, loyal to your company

• A much safer work environment

• Compliance with new DOT shipping regulations.

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For Ride Rite solutions to your shipping problems
call us at 1-800-468-1230 or visit us on the
World Wide Web at www.rideriteairbags.com.
Now dont forget...
Marys looking for you!
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The material contained in this document is owned
and controlled exclusively by Ride Rite. The
information contained herein is provided as a
resource for our customers and should be
considered to show best accepted industry
practices regarding the use and application of
inflatable dunnage products. Follow all warning
and use information concerning our products. For
additional information or answers to your
questions, contact us at the address listed
below. Reproduction in whole or in part of any
portion of this document without the expressed
written consent of Ride Rite is
forbidden. Kapstone Paper Packaging Ride
Rite 300 South Edgar St. Fordyce, AR
71742 800-468-1230 www.rideriteairbags.com