Storage unit for dunnage

A storage unit in combination with dunnage comprising:

• dunnage comprising load supporting plates, each plate having a length and substantially uniform width, and load locking bars, the load locking bars adapted to be secured to side rails of a storage compartment, the load supporting plates adapted for placement on the load locking bars when used in the storage compartment;
• and
• a storage unit that is separate from the storage compartment, the storage unit comprising a base, a vertical backstop positioned along a width of the base, the vertical backstop defining a forward section of the base forward of the vertical backstop and a rearward sections of the base rearward of the vertical backstop, at least two vertical support beams positioned at the forward section of the base and spaced apart from each other at a distance greater than the substantially uniform width of the supporting plates, wherein the load supporting plates and load locking bars are stored in the storage unit in a generally horizontal position.