Shrink wrapping a sauna for transport, for a customer from Germany

Why is a tarpaulin not enough?

The obvious first idea is to cover the load with a tarpaulin. But a tarpaulin does not hug the shape, it flaps in the wind and it collects water.

Covering and securing are two different things. The film protects the surface, but it does not hold the load in place. Making sure the load on the trailer does not shift on the road is the responsibility of the driver and the carrier. Whoever secures the load chooses the straps, chains and blocking.

How do you protect a sauna for transport?

We sealed the sauna in shrink wrap film. After heat shrinking, the film fits snugly, so on the road there is no slack that could flap.

The method works like this:

1. The film is pulled over the item and fastened.
2. It is heat-shrunk with a gas torch. The material shrinks and fits tightly to the surface, taking on its shape.
3. The finished cover seals the item tightly. There is no need to build a crate or timber enclosure.

The photo shows the second step: a worker moves the torch along the wall of the sauna, and the white film shrinks under the flame and settles onto the sauna.

We choose the film thickness according to how long the item is to stay packed, whether it stands outdoors, what shape it has and how many times it will be transhipped. For domestic and European transport, 180 micron film is the most popular choice.

What does the film protect against on a low-loader trailer?

On this job, against slush, rain and road dirt. Heat-shrunk film seals the shape tightly and does not let water in from outside. The dirt stays on the film, not on the exterior.

Exterior treated with oil: why it needed a cover

The customer wanted the exterior oiled, so this surface had to be protected during transport.

What can you expect with a similar load?

If you are shipping a sauna, a small house or another item with a finished exterior, the job runs like this:

1. You give us the dimensions of the item, the number of units, the storage location and the planned transport date. Photos help, and you can attach them as a link in the form.
2. We choose the film for the dimensions and the type of transport and agree the date of our visit.
3. We come with film and torches and pack on site: in the yard, in the hall or already on the trailer.
4. After arrival, the film is removed in one go.

Loading and transport are the responsibility of the customer and the carrier, because we do not provide transport services. When we pack before loading, the cargo usually goes onto the vehicle the next day. After each job, we draw up a handover report signed by both parties.

We pack similar items as part of the service packing modules and modular homes. We write about the material itself, thicknesses and roll widths on the page shrink wrap film for oversized packing. The dimensions, storage location and date are enough for a quote.