Preparing Your Gaylord Box for Cold-Weather Travel

cargo container ship sailing in sea full of ice in winter
Rain, hail, or shine, you want your customers’ goods to arrive on time. Unfortunately, the weather can often have other ideas. Cold weather and other itinerant weather conditions can severely impact the efficiency of your shipping. Whether ships and trucks need to be rerouted or packaging becomes damaged during transit, the integrity of your products can be compromised if proper care is not taken to protect your items.

In addition to turbulent shipping routes, many items that are shipped are sensitive to the cold, which can damage mechanisms, warp materials, or reduce the efficacy of a product. It is important when shipping cold-sensitive items that you prepare your packaging materials for cold-weather travel, and one of the most popular ways to pack and transport your goods is with a Gaylord box.

What Is a Gaylord Box?


A Gaylord box originally referred to a trade name for cardboard boxes produced by the Gaylord Container Company but has now evolved into an overarching term that encompasses any bulk-sized cardboard box. The term is also used throughout the shipping industry to refer to any corrugated cardboard box.

Corrugated cardboard is the most commonly used packaging material because it is inexpensive, recyclable, and ideal for shipping due to its high bursting resistance. They come in different wall strengths: single, double, or triple. They also come in a variety of sizes, the most popular being the D and E container, which is primarily used for shipping and storage.

However, cold weather shipping can present some challenges to shipping with Gaylord boxes, so here are some helpful ways you can prepare your Gaylord box for cold-weather travel.

wooden shipping pallet

Use a Box Liner


Though the Gaylord box is a durable packaging option, just like any paper-based product, the corrugated cardboard is porous and subject to moisture damage, which can occur during cold weather shipping or because of product spillage. It is important to use a box liner for added protection for your products and to maintain the integrity of the box during shipping.

Box liners, or poly bags, come in a range of sizes to suit every box. Depending on the product you are transporting and the size of the box required, you will need to select the appropriate liner for your needs.

A good rule of thumb for selecting the correct size liner is to add 2 inches to the width and length of the box, and an additional 12 inches to the height of the box, to ensure that the product is sufficiently enclosed.

Use an Absorbent


When the weather cools down, this can often result in turbulent weather patterns that cause rocky seas or road hazards. These rough weather conditions can cause spills, which is especially dangerous when transporting hazardous materials.

An effective method of preventing spills from occurring, and for preventing hazardous material from contaminating the rest of the products on board, is by using an absorbent packing material inside the liner of the Gaylord box.

Vermiculite is an abundant, naturally occurring mineral, making it an inexpensive option for packing hazardous materials. It is highly absorbent for a wide range of spills, even those of a chemical nature, and it is very effective at cushioning against impact.

Coarse vermiculite is the most cost-effective option for most shipping needs, but it also comes in a range of other shapes and sizes to suit your packaging needs.

Proper Sealing


No matter how strong your shipping box, if it is not sealed properly you run the risk of contaminating or damaging your product.

Cold weather often leads to condensation, so, in addition to using heavy-duty plastic adhesive packaging tape and the correct technique for sealing your box, a layer of clear stretch wrap can help to protect the exterior of the box from moisture damage.

Warehouse worker sealing cardboard boxes for shipping in a large warehouse

Temperature Controlled Packaging


Cold-sensitive products, such as chemicals, electrical items, and some food items, can be damaged due to exposure to extremely low temperatures encountered during transit in cold weather. However, though you can’t control the weather, you can help control the temperature of the contents of your Gaylord box.

A Styrofoam insulated cooler inside a Gaylord box can help to keep your cold-sensitive items at a consistent temperature. However, if you are shipping products that are particularly prone to damage at low temperatures, you may consider packing them using a drum insulated with a powerblanket for superior temperature control.

Final Thoughts


Don’t let the cold weather and rough shipping routes prevent you from reaching your customers.

When cold weather makes shipping a challenge, try some of these tips to prepare and protect your product when shipping with a Gaylord box, and ensure your products arrive their destination in tip-top condition.

 

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