So Im 100% noob to the whole tying down a car to a car trailer thing but it will soon be time that I will need to do it.
I have searched through pages on the net and read some great things but wanted to hear other peoples opinions on how to effectively secure the car to the trailer.
Would also love to know what straps/chains to use and where to buy these things.
Thanks!
Tying car to trailer
Started by
_melvins_
, Aug 09 2009 09:34 PM
15 replies to this topic
#2
A9X
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Posted 09 August 2009 - 10:02 PM
I'm no expert.
But, i would suggest you look at the load restraining guide put out by your local and friendly government agency.
As i don't know where you are from, ('cos you didn't have any personal details in your sig) here is a couple of links.
http://www.ntc.gov.a...nLRGDec2004.pdf
http://www.ntc.gov.a...ocumentid=00862
http://www.vicroads....adRestraint.htm
http://www.kenlowe.c...99344-00001.htm
try that for a start
But, i would suggest you look at the load restraining guide put out by your local and friendly government agency.
As i don't know where you are from, ('cos you didn't have any personal details in your sig) here is a couple of links.
http://www.ntc.gov.a...nLRGDec2004.pdf
http://www.ntc.gov.a...ocumentid=00862
http://www.vicroads....adRestraint.htm
http://www.kenlowe.c...99344-00001.htm
try that for a start
#3
dattoman
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Posted 09 August 2009 - 10:21 PM
Basically ratchet tie downs on the wheels
Not the body
Allow the body to move on the suspension
I used to tie the racecar down with straps thru the spokes in the wheels (not easy with hotwires or armourlites... lol)
Just like towies do it
Just with less damage
Not the body
Allow the body to move on the suspension
I used to tie the racecar down with straps thru the spokes in the wheels (not easy with hotwires or armourlites... lol)
Just like towies do it
Just with less damage
#4
_mello92_
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Posted 09 August 2009 - 10:31 PM
Chains scratch, so bugger them for tying down a car.
Get four 50mm rachet straps, one for each corner of the car. Dont get the el'cheapo ones buy quality stuff, cause you dont know when you'll need to pull up in a hurry. Ive seen things go haywire when tiny straps break under load.
Just wrap 2 around the diff on either side and pull it backwards and outwards. Same on front, wrap around the LCA and pull it forward and outwards. Do the fronts first if the car is right at the front of the trailer, but if not it shouldnt matter as long as the car doesnt move when tensioning the straps. Use the handbrake and leave it in 1st if manual, park if auto.
Should be able to get them from a decent automotive retailer, agricultural shops, or truckie stops.
But Im no expert either, thats the way I do it.
Get four 50mm rachet straps, one for each corner of the car. Dont get the el'cheapo ones buy quality stuff, cause you dont know when you'll need to pull up in a hurry. Ive seen things go haywire when tiny straps break under load.
Just wrap 2 around the diff on either side and pull it backwards and outwards. Same on front, wrap around the LCA and pull it forward and outwards. Do the fronts first if the car is right at the front of the trailer, but if not it shouldnt matter as long as the car doesnt move when tensioning the straps. Use the handbrake and leave it in 1st if manual, park if auto.
Should be able to get them from a decent automotive retailer, agricultural shops, or truckie stops.
But Im no expert either, thats the way I do it.
Edited by mello92, 09 August 2009 - 10:45 PM.
#5
MRLXSS
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Posted 09 August 2009 - 10:36 PM
I normally ratchet strap from the diff backwards and down. From the the front crossmember forward and down...
Then thru each back wheel forward or back....
You may notice the car isnt completely forward on the trailer... I chocked the wheel up so the car sat more central on the trailer, so there was less load on the towball...
They kinda help...
I kinda stress heaps about towing the car. I think the more straps on the car the better.... The last thing you want, is to see your car rolled on the side of the road, and think to yourself "Why didnt i spend an extra 20min putting a few more straps on.
Then thru each back wheel forward or back....
You may notice the car isnt completely forward on the trailer... I chocked the wheel up so the car sat more central on the trailer, so there was less load on the towball...
They kinda help...
I kinda stress heaps about towing the car. I think the more straps on the car the better.... The last thing you want, is to see your car rolled on the side of the road, and think to yourself "Why didnt i spend an extra 20min putting a few more straps on.
#6
GML-31
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Posted 09 August 2009 - 11:09 PM
we all seem to agree on all 4 wheels strapped down, never rely on the winch for keeping the front tied down
#7
Posted 10 August 2009 - 06:43 AM
^^ Absolutely. Tying it both forward and backward (i.e. not just straight down) from the wheels or unsprung suspension is good for me, I like the pics above.
Ratchet tie-downs (good ones) make life very easy.
Ratchet tie-downs (good ones) make life very easy.
#8
_Barman_
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Posted 10 August 2009 - 06:55 AM
I go around the wheels X4
seepic
i some times put a couple around diff and front cross member
Cheers Baz
seepic
i some times put a couple around diff and front cross member
Cheers Baz
#9
orangeLJ
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Posted 10 August 2009 - 11:37 AM
I use two short rathcet straps from the floor of the trailer, over the top of the tyre then back to the floor on the rea roof the tyre (like a tow truck)
Do that on the front wheels, then if its a long drive, another ratchet strap around the front crossmember to the cross beam at the front of the trailer (before the A frame)
then a single strap around the diff to keep some backward strain on the front straps (so the car cant move either way)
Do that on the front wheels, then if its a long drive, another ratchet strap around the front crossmember to the cross beam at the front of the trailer (before the A frame)
then a single strap around the diff to keep some backward strain on the front straps (so the car cant move either way)
#10
Litre8
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Posted 10 August 2009 - 12:22 PM
I use a 3m ratchet strap around the crossmember pulling down and forward to the front crossbar of the trailer (about 3 loops). I then run a ratchet strap around each rear axle tube, pulling down and back to a trailer crossbar. Finally I have the trailer winch hooked to the centre of a bar that bolts up under the front bumper bar to the bumper bar suport brackets. I subscribe to the more is better philosophy.
#11
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Posted 10 August 2009 - 02:29 PM
i have 2 tow hooks weld to the front crossmember,both of these get chained to the trailer,then on the diff again,i have 2 tow hooks weld on the axles tubes next to the coilovers,these get a good ratchet strap each.
the front chains are fixed length,so the car is always in the same spot on the trailer.
the front chains are fixed length,so the car is always in the same spot on the trailer.
#12
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Posted 13 August 2009 - 09:02 PM
Also something to remember are the tails once the straps are pulled down, I tie the tail with 2 half hitches around the ratchet handle for piece of mind, just in case they open up and let the straps slip, then i tie the rest of it either along the strap or back to one of the rails on the side of the trailer.
Mort
Mort
#13
_mello92_
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Posted 13 August 2009 - 09:05 PM
^^Very good point Mort, Im surprised we all forgot that one.
#14
_ljbob_
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Posted 14 August 2009 - 06:02 AM
Who leaves it in gear and who knockes it out? I always knock it out so it's not working on the box.
BoB
BoB
#15
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Posted 17 August 2009 - 05:35 PM
when it comes to sticking my car on the trailer i go nuts have a big box of ratchet straps got 5 good ones and heaps of shitty ones i leave the winch on and as much as i can think matt seen how many i had but i do pretty much all of the above ive seen the results of a caravan flipping a gu patrol and its not pretty
#16
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Posted 17 August 2009 - 06:30 PM
I tied mine down forward from the diff & rear from the diff as in the pic, out of gear. Front wheels are hard up against stops.
Towed it over 1,000ks like this last week & didn't move.
Towed it over 1,000ks like this last week & didn't move.
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