Everything You Need To Know About Dunnage Bags
Published on 12/09/24
Did you know Dunange Airbags can help keep your cargo in place and damage-free while on the road in dry van trailers, on rail inside rail cars, or even inside cargo containers on cargo ships by sea? Let’s begin with everything you need to know about dunnage bags.
What Are Dunnage Bags?
Dunnage bags are commonly used in the cargo control industry to secure and stabilize cargo during transportation preventing it from tipping over and becoming damaged. They are placed between the void space of two pallets or other general cargo and inflated with pressurized air to hold the cargo against the walls from side to side to prevent it from moving out of place and to help absorb shocks.
Dunnage bags are ideal for applications such as dry van trailers, box trucks, rail cars, or shipping containers. One of the major benefits of purchasing dunnage bags is the price per airbag compared to alternative securement methods which can be more expensive and less effective.
Dunnage bags secure cargo against the sides of a dry van trailer and can be paired with cargo bars which stabilize cargo from front to rear. This combination provides full protection from all angles to ensure that your cargo remains in place and arrives free of damage.
Dunnage airbags are reusable and can be used around 10 times per airbag depending on the applications they are used in. Once you have used the dunnage airbags to stabilize your cargo and the airbag needs to be replaced you can recycle the airbags as they are 100% recyclable including the inflator tip.
If you are looking for a cost-effective load stabilization and bracing solution, look no further. Our experts can provide further information, a quote, or volume discount pricing delivered to your door. You can reach our experts by calling us today at 800-444-0956 or using our Contact Us page at the top of the website if you prefer communications via email.
Poly Woven Dunnage Air Bags – Level 1
Poly-woven dunnage bags are made from polypropylene woven material and come in either Level 1 or Level 3 & 4 which is approved for use by The Association of American Railroads (AAR). Poly-woven dunnage airbags include a two-way locking valve that makes for easy inflation or deflation within 90 seconds or less depending on the size of the dunnage bag.
The two-way locking valve also allows you to push and turn to lock into place for hands-free inflation including a built-in safety to prevent overfilling as the excess air will blow out the rear of the inflator once the desired PSI has been reached. Poly-woven dunnage bags are designed to fit a wide range of sizes, shapes, and weights of various cargo.
| Dunnage Bag Type | Dunnage Bag Size | AAR Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 36” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 48” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 66” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 72” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 84” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 96” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 40” x 40” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 48” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 60” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 72” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 84” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 96” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 52” x 72” | Level 1 |
Level 1 Poly woven dunnage bags are the most commonly used type of dunnage air bag. They are often used for applications such as box trucks, reefer trailers, dry van trailers, and railcars. While most poly woven dunnage bags are rectangular we offer a selection of square poly woven dunnage bags that provide a larger surface area for applications that require it.
| Bag Type | Size | AAR Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag – Square | 36” x 48” x 22” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag – Square | 36” x 108” x 17” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag – Square | 36” x 114” x 22” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag – Square | 48” x 48” x 17” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag – Square | 48” x 75” x 22” | Level 1 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag – Square | 48” x 114” x 22” | Level 1 |
Square poly woven dunnage bags are level 1 AAR certified and are excellent at bracing cargo with larger void spaces. Square dunnage bags provide a larger surface area contact to help keep your load from shifting inside the trailer or railcar from side to side. Another benefit of our square poly woven dunnage bags is they are reusable and 100% recyclable when you are done using the airbags.
If you have any questions regarding our square dunnage airbags or any of our dunnage bags you can contact us today at 800-444-0956 or by using our Contact Us page at the top of the website if you prefer communications via email. We look forward to helping you find the ideal dunnage bag for your next securement application need.
Heavy Duty Poly Woven Dunnage Bags – Level 3 & 4
We also have a selection of Level 3 & Level 4 Poly-woven dunnage bags for railcars or loads weighing up to 192,00 lbs.
This style of poly-woven dunnage airbags has a working pressure of 10 psi and is great for most load securements. For level 3/4 poly-woven dunnage bags, you must use a PA-1M, PA3-M, EA-4, or PA3-M-SH1G dunnage bag inflator.
| Bag Type | Size | AAR Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 48” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 66” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 72” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 96” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 108” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 36” x 120” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 48” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 72” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 84” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 96” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 108” | Level 3/4 |
| Poly-woven Dunnage Bag | 48” x 120” | Level 3/4 |
Kraft Paper Dunnage Air Bags
Kraft paper dunnage bags, sometimes also called Bear Paper Airbags are made from kraft paper material that helps absorb shocks and is also Level 1 AAR Certified. One of the other benefits of using Kraft Paper is that it is one hundred percent reusable and recyclable to help eliminate waste. The working pressure for kraft paper dunnage bags is 2.8 PSI.
One of the major benefits of kraft paper dunnage bags is they have a proven bracing performance that helps to secure and prevent movement of goods while in transit. This can help reduce the risk of damage to goods being transported on water, rail, or public roadways.
| Bag Type | Size | AAR Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft Paper Dunnage Bag | 36” x 48” | Level 1 |
| Kraft Paper Dunnage Bag | 36” x 66” | Level 1 |
| Kraft Paper Dunnage Bag | 36” x 84” | Level 1 |
| Kraft Paper Dunnage Bag | 48” x 48” | Level 1 |
| Kraft Paper Dunnage Bag | 48” x 84” | Level 1 |
Kraft paper dunnage bags use a wide-mouth 2-way valve that provides fast and easy inflation or deflation. The industrial-style spring valve is added insurance for tough rides or rough seas to keep the load stabilized.
This style of dunnage bag is inflated using the venturi metal bade inflator which provides quicker inflation times and added safety. Kraft Paper Bear Bags are AAR-verified Level 1 and can be used for bracing or stabilizing cargo inside railcars.
If you have any questions, need a quote, or are interested in our volume discount pricing our experts can be reached at 800-444-0956 or by using our Contact Us page at the top of the website for those who prefer communications via email.
How To Find What Size Dunnage Bag Works Best
Finding which size dunnage bag works best for your cargo can be challenging, but we are here to help. First, measure the size of the void gap in the cargo you intend to use dunnage bags with. Once you have the measurement of the cargo you are securing you can select the dunnage bag that works best.
| Bag Width (Inches) | Void Size (Inches) |
|---|---|
| 36 inches | 0 to 14 inches (Truck) |
| 40 inches | 0 to 16 inches (Truck) |
| 48 inches | 0 to 18 inches (Truck) |
| All sizes | Void gap 12 inches or less |
How Dunnage Air Bags Are Inflated With Air
Dunnage Airbag inflators use either a portable airbag inflator for those on the go or an installed airlines for those who prefer a more permanent dunnage bag inflator installation near loading docks. Both inflators work by latching onto the nozzle on the dunnage bag and inflating them safely to the desired PSI without the risk of damage due to the built-in safety nozzle.
Once the cargo is loaded into either a dry van trailer, container, or rail car it is as simple as placing the dunnage bag inside of the void between two pieces of cargo and inflating to the desired PSI to prevent the cargo from tipping over each other. Whether you are looking for a portable dunnage inflator or a fixed area dunnage bag inflator, both options can help reduce damaged cargo.
Portable Dunnage Bag Inflators
Portable dunnage bag inflators use an 18-volt or a 21-volt rechargeable battery and do not need to connect to air hoses to inflate the dunnage bags. Not only can portable airbag inflators be quicker to use, but they can also be safer for dock workers as the risk of tripping over air hoses is removed.
Portable rechargeable battery packs can inflate 60 average-sized dunnage bags per charge and be recharged from empty to full in approximately 2 hours. We also have spare rechargeable 18-volt and 21-volt batteries available for those who need extra batteries to keep up with the demand.
If you have any questions about our portable dunnage bag inflators our experts are standing by and would be happy to assist you further call us at 800-444-0956 or by using our Contact Us page at the top of the website for those who prefer to use email communications.
Air Hose Dunnage Bag Inflators
Air hose dunnage bag inflators are installed using air compressors and airlines to safely inflate the dunnage bags to the desired PSI. There are various styles of dunnage airbag inflators designed for different inflation situations. For instance, our Pro-Air inflator gun offers quicker inflation times while the Eagle Air inflator features an extension handle that enables you to reach tight or limited spaces more easily.
Pro Air All-Metal Inflator Gun – The Pro Air All-Metal Inflator gun features a venturi barrel construction which helps improve inflation times compared to other trigger-style dunnage bag inflators on the market. The Pro Air All-Metal Inflator gun produces 21.5 meters per second of air compared to alternative trigger styles that only produce 19 meters per second.
The PA3-M is made from an extra heavy-duty and durable aluminum body to prevent the product from becoming damaged if dropped from normal heights. The press fit insert tip includes an O-ring that helps to ensure a consistent fit when going from different dunnage bags.
Eagle Air Dunnage Inflator With Extension Handle – The EA-1 inflator provides a quick and fast fill rate with minimal noise with a built-in safety air relief flapper mechanism that once the desired PSI has been reached releases the air through a safety valve to prevent damage to the dunnage bags.
The longer handle design also helps you reach hard-to-reach areas such as stacked pallets of goods or inside enclosed trailers that are limited in space. The EA-1 is made from a lightweight and damage-resistant durable resin body construction that helps prevent dock workers from becoming fatigued. This product has a modulating airflow and does not use triggers or handles that need to be held to inflate the dunnage bags.
Pro Air Trigger Airbag Inflator – The PA1-M is a metal inflator with a trigger-style venturi barrel that increases airflow and provides added durability. The metal body helps to provide durability against cargo when inflating or from being accidentally dropped onto the ground.
