I see a lot of pics here with cars on trailers whether its transporting or rescuing that barn find. In the majority of them I see guys just using ratchet straps to secure the vehicle on the trailer. I use chains and bear traps at every corner and wouldn,t consider using a ratchet strap to secure it.I also leave my winch holding my j hook chain although reducing the tension. Maybe it,s overkill but I haven,t lost a car yet.....
I ***ume my post inspired this one. I have hauled a lot of vehicles using 2 and 3 inch ratchet straps and have not had a failure yet. I leave winch hooked up in front and use 2 ratchet straps or more at front and 2 or more at rear. I'm not saying there aren't better ways, but this has worked for me and I feel it is safe. You might be surprised if you knew what truck drivers hold down with 4" ratchet straps.
I don't own a trailer, I always borrow a friend's, he's a contractor. I use his ratchet straps, they're the same ones that hold his Cat to the trailer, it's normal occupant, so I figure they're plenty strong for my Model A. ****ers are like 3" or 4" wide, I'd trust them to hold my car if you threw it off a bridge. Probably stronger than a chain. I ain't lost one either .
On another race car site I get on this subject was the most argued with hundreds of posts.It seems there are favorite ways to do this and most people have never lost a car either.I have used ratchet straps for years and never doubted any of them . My cars are transported like this,front tires up against stops,strap on the front pulling down and forward.I never , NEVER tie down the back of the car. You don't have to believe me on this but most cars ride better with the rear able to move with the bumps. Oh by the way ,I built my first trailer in 1974 out of water pipe and Rambler hubs,built and sold probably 40 flatbed trailers over the years.I still drag a trailer about 15,000 miles a year. I also had a tech article published in Carl Blantons (Mo kan dragway)Drag paper in the 80s on trailer use and myths. Here is a good tip . with the empty trailer on level ground measure the height of the hitch from the ground ,have a couple of friends stand on the hitch ( 300 to 400 lbs total) and then remeasure the hitch. When loading the car roll it forward until the hitch drops as much as your second measurement and there is your tongue weight. Obviously it has to change because of the weight of the trailer( I go 10% of loaded trailer weight).
we have hauled home 20+ antique tractors, and the same for old trucks and cars, we usually have the winch still hooked on but a little slack but not much, one chain along the front and one wrapped around the back axle, i prefer to use the straps because they stay tight unless a tires loses air. we have loaded large Minneapolis Moline G with the rear tires full of fluid.... very heavy tractor. for that i think we used two chains on the back and one or two on the front, and went down a very rough road. The main point is 2 straps is just fine, the only reason for them to fail is if they are really old, have a cut in them or are against something sharp.
Straps are fine for a car as long as you are not an idiot! Just look at the lbs rating, then you know that you are good. I worked with a crane rigger. He said usually the rating on straps are a 1/4 of what they will actually break at.
When I haul anything, I use 4 X 2 1/2 inch ratchet straps. They are rated at 10,000 LBS break strength each. Since most cars weigh a little less than 40,000 lbs, I think I am fairly safe. I have put on a lot of miles hauling everything from s**** cars on their last ride to finished cars that I don't want to scratch. I use axle straps on them to keep from chewing up my straps & all is good. I have never had an issue.
I have always used chains but they came with teh trailer,,though have used them sometimes with short strap with D rings they can be less damaging ,,to things when you can't always find a good sopt to hook or wrap a chain,,but I use 4 inch wide strap
I usually use straps although I have chains and binders. I think the key to either is having them in good shape and sized for the job. I'd be a bit afraid of straps that have been sunbleached as the fabric may have started to deterioriate but wouldn't be afraid of quality straps and ratchets. I'm not sure that the local truck supply outfit I deal with has chains and binders in stock anymore but I did see a large ***ortment of straps last Tuesday when I bought some trailer lights. Regulations may change from state to state on how you can tie down a vehicle too, so I'd check that.
Most cars weigh a LOT less than 40,000 pounds but I get your point. My pal who hauls a bobcat, a trencher, as well as my projects has always used straps as far as I know and he's yet to see a failure that wasn't abrasion related.
Almost any flatbed you see carrying a load is using straps only to secure it unless it's heavy equipment being moved
how about bungy cords, rope, whatever you have............jeeeeez, eveyone have to be an authority? custom, no street, no traditional, never rat-GET A LIFE!! you guys need to relax.
This seems to be a rather civil discussion on tie down methods. You seem to be the only one who needs to calm down.
Yes, that is why I use the axle straps, much cheaper to replace an f'ed up $20 3 foot chunk of strap with a couple of D rings than to replace a $60 ratchet strap. And I was just being a smart*** about the 40,000 LBS
always had used 3 "straps, but when i tied down two model t frames one trip they started to tear, guess i need new ones
Winch remains hooked up at the front, plus two ratchet straps; and out back, I have a large chain that hooks to one D-ring, goes around the rear axle to the other D-ring, plus two axle ratchet straps. Total of six mechanisms to keep the vehicle on the trailer (four ratchet straps, one chain, one winch cable). I always tie down at the rear axle and the front axle or lower A-arms. Haven't lost a vehicle yet. The only time I ever had a problem is when I tied the pickup that was on the trailer, down by the frame, rather than by the axles. Broke two straps, because of the frame not being 100% snugged down to the lowest part of the suspension travel, so the truck tried to break loose all the time. I've never tied down that way again! If you use straps, and they touch anything that might remotely have a chance of cutting the strap, put a folded piece of cardboard at that contact point, and you'll not have that problem. Hauled stacks of utility trailers for several years and never had a problem there, either. And, 2-1/2-inch ratchet straps, used four to a stack, held a five- or six-stack of 18'-long utility trailers (ten to twelve feet high!) just fine.
When we're in a hurry, sometimes just one chain at each end plus the winch hooked, but when we're going a long ways my buddy makes sure to chain in the back on both corners, pull tight with the winch, then chain the front on at least one side. I've had them move some on the trailer if they're not tied down like that.
Biggest problem most guys have with straps is knowing when to throw them away when they show wear or cuts! As a side note, I notice that the vast majority of good quality straps are made in the USA.
Hopefully, you are being facetious! And, about throwing the straps away when they get frayed or cut, I agree 110% there!
I have always been in the habit of towing for a couple miles, then stopping and checking that everything is tight. Saved me from losing a car once, as something loosened that once. Doesn't seem to matter whether straps or chains, I like to check once it's moved for a mile or three. Cosmo
Thats an upgrade from what I've used since 1970, never lost a car, customers Bugatti or a parts doner beater.
I use coat hangers since they are so strong.. actually I use 3 or 4 inch straps for cars..unless its something like a bike then will go alittle smaller.. though the other day did see some guy with a old truck on a trailer held down with 1 inch straps...
Safety first! Consider the other motorists too when hauling, if your **** falls off it effects more than just yourself. That said, do it right and not "half-***ed" as they say. Carry on.
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