Is Your Load Legal? The 2026 Guide to Securing Pickup Cargo

So pickups haul a lot of stuff. That's kind of the whole point. But throwing things in the back and just hoping they stay there? Yeah, that doesn't always work out great.

The federal government says cargo needs straps, tiedowns, or something actually holding it in place. Their test is pretty straightforward: imagine you hit a massive pothole or have to brake hard. Everything staying put? Would you drive behind your own truck without getting nervous? No? Then it's not secure enough.

Every state has rules against this, and fines can hit $5,000. But honestly, the ticket's not the scary part. It's when a rake or a cooler goes flying into traffic behind you.

Why This Keeps Happening

More than 700 people die each year from stuff in the road. Most of it—about 81%—comes from regular trucks where someone just didn't tie things down. Thousands more get injured.

In Florida a while back, two highway workers were literally out there cleaning up junk that fell off other people's trucks when they got hit by a car. They got banged up but survived. Could've been a lot worse.

Look, if you loaded it, it's on you to make sure it doesn't become someone else's problem at 65 mph. Ratchet straps aren't expensive. Bungee cords work for lighter stuff. A cargo net helps. It's really not that complicated—just don't be the person who loses a mattress on the freeway.