The boxcar modality is a popular choice for many businesses and accounts for 40% of long-distance shipping. Keeping products protected in transit is a top priority, as product damage can erode your customer’s trust and desire to repurchase, and it can be costly to remedy. With the right boxcar loading supplies and load securement plan, you can protect your products and bottom line while promoting safer shipping.

Read on to learn more about the dunnage and packaging best-suited to this modality, and how you can partner with a one-stop-shop like Sunrise for your dunnage and customized loading plan to achieve the best results. 

Exploring the Best Dunnage for Boxcar Loading 

Boxcar loading requires a specialized set of products designed with the needs of this shipping method in mind. With this transit style, it’s important to keep products stable, secure and contained. At Sunrise, we recommend: 

RAIL-PAK®

This system is AAR-approved and was designed to support either open or closed car shipments and is comprised of three securement solutions: the BIN-PAK™, DRUM-PAK™, and LUMBER-PAK™. Each uses corrugated honeycomb materials and both the RAIL-PAK® and BIN-PAK™ are patent-protected. For a versatile load securement system designed with the needs of industrial and forestry products in mind, consider this solution.

DIAMOND-PAK®

The DIAMOND-PAK® is a honeycomb bulkhead void filler that offers versatile protection for the boxcar shipping modality and others. It’s lightweight and available in a variety of sizes so you can tailor the strength and compression to best match the end-to-end impact protection you require. Some styles include: 

  • Contoured Pads — This option is often used in conjunction with an air bag and is best used between the air bag and roll to prevent unrolling during transit. 
  • Round Risers — This option is a circular shape that supports the staggering of paper roll heights to help restrict individual movement through transit. 
  • Wedges — The wedged option is generally used to prevent round objects from movement and fill excess space present in these areas.

WOOD-PAK®

This option combines the flexibility and stability of corrugated honeycomb void filler with the strength of lumber to provide a less expensive and reusable replacement for plywood dividers. They’re lightweight yet stable, helping to prevent end-to-end toppling. If you’re in need of dividers, choose this option for a solution that is recyclable, customizable, and effective.

SUNRISE SMALL CELL™

SUNRISE SMALL CELL™ is a versatile material choice used for void filler and interior and exterior packaging. It utilizes a unique honeycomb design to produce a lightweight and economical yet sturdy solution for packaging protection and load securement. It can be tailored to match many settings and needs, such as serving as a buffer, offering edge protection, filling headspace, or pallet underhang.

DIAMOND-CORR®

The DIAMOND-CORR® represents the original void filler and is designed to expand to fill voids between loads, which prevents load shift during transit and keeps your products secure and safe. It’s collapsible, allowing it to be shipped flat to save warehouse space. For a flexible yet reliable void filling solution, consider this proven selection to make boxcar loading easier and more effective. 

Set Up for Success with a Custom Boxcar Loading Plan 

Having the right products is important to achieve the best results, but it’s not the only step — it’s important to set yourself up for success with a customized load securing plan so your team knows how each product will work together. The way your team loads and unloads your products is important to keep them safe, and the right packaging and dunnage provider will work with you to set your team up for success.

At Sunrise, we offer tailored boxcar loading guides and training shaped around your size and product specifications. Through this, we determine which products you need and how they can operate together for the best results. We work hands-on with loaders and receivers alike, and we also serve as a liaison between the shipper and carrier because we believe this extra mile better serves the needs of our customers. 

When you’re ready to enhance your shipping experience with a custom boxcar loading plan and product system, we’re here to help.

Talk to Sunrise Today for a Superior Boxcar Loading Experience 

When you work with Sunrise Manufacturing, you can rely on a team truly dedicated to protecting your products and bottom line. We provide advanced dunnage and packaging solutions to customers from various industries, serving as a one-stop shop with a deep understanding of what it takes to secure products shipped by boxcar, truck, ocean vessel, and other modalities.

Our boxcar loading expertise allows us to identify the best solutions for your application and products. We offer a diverse range of products like void fillers, air bags, slip sheets, and more so you can get everything you need from one supplier. Each product is designed based on the best practices and guidance of our long-term industry partnerships like the Association of American Railroads. 

With our team, you can count on proven products tailored to your needs and application so you can enjoy the safest shipping experience. Get in touch with us today to get started.