US Forest Service Now Requires Use Of Cargo Restraints in All Vehicles

According to a recent report, the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management now requires the use of a partition or cargo barriers in all of their vehicles. Employees of the service regularly carry item such as hardhats, digging and cutting tools, briefcases, cameras, and lunch boxes to their job sites. The new regulations state that any time loose objects, such as tools or instruments, must be "shielded by a mesh divider or other protective devices." 

These new requirements come as the result of a study showing that in an accident even the smallest objects in a vehicle's passenger compartment can become dangerous projectiles. Studies show that in a crash, objects can motion can become 20 times its weight. For instance, a 5 pound object (e.g. a lunch box, tools, laptop bag) in crash at 35 miles per hour can be hurled with 175 pounds of force. Even when a vehicles safety features work perfectly, flying objects can cause serious, even fatal, injuries to the passengers. That's why the Forest Service now requires all their fleet managers to provide cargo restraints in all of their vehicles. 

Fleet managers across the nation have a number of choices when choosing vehicle restrain systems 

or cargo barriers. Commercial cargo restraints designed to fit specific vehicles are available from a variety of manufacturers. For Chevrolets (Suburbans and Tahoes) and Fords (Expeditions, Explorers, and F150s) Pro-gard makes cargo systems that are compatible with side airbags and come with a polycarbonate window to provide an unobstructed view out the rear window. The primary drawback for their system is that it only fits in a limited number of makes, models and years. Plus they require drilling into the body of the vehicle for installation. Prices range between 415 to $589.

Setina Manufacturing offers a much wider selection of restraints — fitting Chevrolets(Suburbans and Tahoes), Dodges (Durangos and Magnums), and Fords (Expeditions and Explorers). Their partitions have been laboratory tested and are compatible with side impact air bags. But again are only offered for a limited number of makes and models and years. They also require modifications be made to the vehicle in order to be installed. Prices for their products range around $370.

US Forest Service Uses Cargo Restraints in All Vehicles

Troy Products is a third manufacturer of cargo partitions. Their products are custom fit for each vehicle, so they can be used in any make or model vehicle. But they are difficult to adjust and greatly obstruct the drivers view out the rear window. As with other makes, Troy Products requires modification and drilling to the vehicle in order to be installed. 

Another choice is to have a local welder to design and fabricate a partition. This offers the ability to customize the partition for each vehicle. And sometimes these partitions can be modified to fit other vehicles. Generally, however, these custom-designs are difficult to adjust and often block the driver's view of the out the rear window. 

A better option for most fleet managers is to use one of the innovative cargo net systems from Quarantine Restraints. These systems are designed to fit any make or model of truck. Plus they can be easily removed and require no modification to be installed. Designed to meet the highest safety standards for safety, durability, and reliability, Quarantine restraints have become North Americas most trusted name for cargo restraints. They have products designed to meet every need. Their Interior Cargo Restraints are designed to secure items carried in the back seat of your trucks. They connect easily to the top corners of existing seat belt shoulder straps and the floor of the vehicle. The high quality net provides maximum securement and protection in the event of an accident. These are the most flexible interior restraint systems on the market.