A load retainer, designed to prevent a high load from sliding forward in an estate car, van or other multi-purpose vehicle, consists of a mesh panel (9) which is fitted between an upper transverse bar (1) fixed to the vehicle and a lower bar (7) which can be fixed when required. The mesh panel is attached to the two bars by plastic extrusions (3, 5) each having a lengthwise section (6a, 6b) of rounded cross-section corresponding to that of the bars and a series of hooks (11a, 11b) to engage with the mesh panel. The mesh panel is made, for example, from polyester or other suitable material such as polyamide or polypropylene, which is sufficiently fire-resistant, not too elastic, and has a mesh size of 10-50 mm. The plastic extrusions are made e.g. of polycarbonate or ABS.