Cargo netting is a safety product, not a convenience. A load that shifts on the highway endangers the driver, other road users and the goods themselves — and in most jurisdictions it is a legal liability as well. The net has to hold the load through wind, vibration and weather, and it has to be spec'd for that job, not just thrown over the top.
Tie-down straps secure the load to the vehicle; cargo netting contains what the straps cannot reach — loose items, light debris and smaller pieces that would otherwise shift or fly off. The two work together: straps anchor the heavy mass, the net spreads restraint across the whole surface. For palletised, loose or irregular loads, the net is what keeps individual pieces from working loose over a long run.
The mesh size is set by what you are carrying. 25–50 mm mesh retains boxes, bags and general freight. 15–25 mm is the choice for smaller items — aggregate bags, loose tools, timber offcuts — where a larger mesh would let pieces through. For fine debris or dust suppression on tipper trucks, a fine 10–15 mm debris mesh goes over the top. The finer the mesh, the more wind load it catches, so only go as fine as the load needs.
Cargo netting takes constant vibration and repeated tension, so it needs strength and a little controlled give. 80–120 gsm HDPE handles most light and medium freight; 150–200 gsm for heavy, sharp or abrasive loads. A small amount of elasticity is good — it lets the net settle onto the load and absorb vibration without tearing. UV stabilization matters because cargo nets live outside on the vehicle: an unstabilized net degrades fast and fails mid-run. See our HDPE lifespan guide for what to demand.
A cargo net is only as good as its fixing. Reinforced edges with eyelets or D-rings at the perimeter are what take the load — hook or clip the net at every eyelet to the vehicle, and tension it so there is no slack to flap. A flapping net wears through in weeks and sheds its load in wind. Overlap net-to-net joins by 20–30 cm on long loads. Inspect the net before every run for cuts, UV chalking or stretched eyelets, and replace any net that shows damage at the load-bearing edges.
| Grade | Mesh | GSM | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 25–50 mm | 80–100 | Boxes, bags, general freight |
| Medium | 20–40 mm | 100–120 | Palletised, mixed loads |
| Heavy | 15–25 mm | 150–200 | Sharp, abrasive, aggregate loads |
| Debris / dust | 10–15 mm | 100–150 | Tipper trucks, dust suppression |
Read more in our how much netting you need.
25–50 mm for boxes and general freight, 15–25 mm for smaller or loose items, 10–15 mm for debris and dust suppression on tippers. Match the mesh to the smallest piece the load can shed.
Yes. Cargo nets live outdoors on the vehicle, so demand UV-stabilized HDPE. An unstabilized net degrades and fails mid-run, which is a load-shedding hazard.
Hook or clip every eyelet to the vehicle and tension out the slack so nothing flaps. A flapping net wears through in weeks. Overlap joins by 20–30 cm on long loads and inspect before every run.
150–200 gsm for sharp, abrasive or heavy loads. 80–120 gsm for light and medium freight. The extra weight buys tear resistance that pays for itself in load security.
Cargo netting is load security — match mesh to the smallest piece, GSM to the weight, and fix at every eyelet. Tell us your load type and we will spec the right net, GSM and fixing.
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