Securing vehicle to trailer

[dunnc1991]

I've looked around, and I haven't come across any threads on this. I'm sure there's one here somewhere. I know everyone's got their preferred way to secure the vehicle they're towing, but just looking for input. I need to bring my buddies OBS Ford (my old truck) to my place to do a bunch of work to. It'll be a few hundred miles to get it here, and I want to keep it secure. I prefer chains, but get nervous about tearing things up on the vehicle. I've always secured to the axles, but never with chains. Just looking for input from people who know better then I do, whether you use straps or chains.

Thanks

 

[Rancelot211]

Get t bolts for the frame holes and use chain binders

 

[Harbin_22]

I use two straps on the front, one on each lower control arm, and one strap on the rear axle from one side of the trailer to the other. Not sure if it is right, but hasn't fell off yet lol

 

[melms23]

I used to use straps also. I was told 4 secured points with chains is what is legal.

I go over the axle with 1 chain normally. Just make sure it's under the brake line. For the front I through the lower controlling arm. Can't help you on the front of a ford.

 

[juddski88]

A customer and friend in the towing business introduced me to the the cross strap method and it is the easiest and best I've ever used. 4 ratchet straps, two on each side of the frame, creating an "x" while looking at it from the sides. Doesn't preload the suspension too much and controls the load equally at all times. Check it out.

 

[duramaxzak]

I cross chain with 2 on the front and 2 on the rear of the truck. I tried doing the same with 3" wide ratchet straps, but chains definitely hold it more solid on the trailer.

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[bittles313]

Lowboy operator here, minimum of 4 tie down points crossed and a chain for each hydraulic attachment which obviously doesn't matter on pickup trucks. I try to tie anything with a suspension to the axles so the suspension works going down the road and doesn't pound against chains or straps.Be sure to check working load limits of all your straps and chains. Chain should be grade 70 transport chain

 

[moneypitt]

I run one chain through the hitch cross member in the rear crossed and two chains to the tow hooks in the front, as well as four axle straps one to each control arm in the front and one each side to axle in rear. It is probably over kill but the truck is not going anywhere. Not a great picture.

 

[Chevy1925]

Lowboy operator here, minimum of 4 tie down points crossed and a chain for each hydraulic attachment which obviously doesn't matter on pickup trucks. I try to tie anything with a suspension to the axles so the suspension works going down the road and doesn't pound against chains or straps.Be sure to check working load limits of all your straps and chains. Chain should be grade 70 transport chain

x2, i cross straps if possible and strap to unsprung parts if i can. no worries on the strap bouncing the suspension and loosening up or stretching over time. may not actually be an issue but id rather play it a little safe.

 

[bittles313]

x2, i cross straps if possible and strap to unsprung parts if i can. no worries on the strap bouncing the suspension and loosening up or stretching over time. may not actually be an issue but id rather play it a little safe.

Always best to play it safe. Have seen some crazy things happen when chains or straps stretch and break

 

[malibu795]

Usually I hook the front to tow hooks, back to axle between spring perches and brake mounting flange making sure to go in between brake line and axle tube.

 

[Dozerboy]

Another guy that does heavy haul. X10 on 4 tie down points on the axles. I don't worry about crossing them so much, but on pickups it probably easier. Chain or straps don't matter just make sure the W.L.L. (working load limit) of all of of your rigging combined is more then the weight of the truck.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Hoffie]

My preferred method for securing a vehicle to the trailer is to use the rear axle and front control arms. I use chains and ratchet binders, because they are stronger and you only have to inspect them once after the initial tie down due to settling of the vehicle on the trailer. Straps are never as strong as chains and in a panic situation you don't need to be worried about how well they will hold up. Chains don't fray or tear. I also like the t bolts frame hooks that Northern Tool sells.

 

[hondarider552]

I have always strapped from the tow hooks on the front, never cross the straps, ive always pulled straight to the front of the trailer.

rear I have always hooked to the frame hooks just in front of the the receiver hitch. This way there is weight from the strap pulling the suspension down. I don't hook to the axle because the axle lets the body roll around but the axle not. I don't like seeing the ass end of a truck bounce around.

Ive never had a strap loosen doing that way, and for my half ton I bought chains and binders. :thumb: I have 20k lbs of chain to hold a 4000lb truck. Overkill I know.


Ideally, you want 60% of your chains pulling back and 40% pulling forward. Why? "when was the last time you broke a strap accelerating?"

 

[Chevy1925]

Ideally, you want 60% of your chains pulling back and 40% pulling forward. Why? "when was the last time you broke a strap accelerating?"

Well that depends on who's pulling it lmao.

 

[hondarider552]

yeah....


for the record...



JAMES did do a rolling burnout with my race truck on the trailer going like 50mph...


I was just pleased my truck stayed on the trailer :roflmao:

 

[Leadfoot]

From: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules


"Securement of heavy vehicles, equipment ormachinery with crawler tracks or wheels.
In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, heavy equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tiedowns."

"Each of the tiedowns must be affixed as close as practicable to the front and rear of the vehicle, or mounting points on the vehicle that have been specifically designed for that purpose. "

 

[fastpunker]

I have always done a the cross over method when towing my prerunner. I initially did the standard methods of 1 per corner pulled to that corner or straight forward/back and had the straps come loose multiple times. Never had a problem since using the x method. I tie to points on the frame (tow hooks in front and wherever I can in the rear).... I don't like hooking to the axles or close to the wheels because of the body roll/movement. Things get quite rowdy when you have 13-19" of suspension travel and its only tied to the axles :roflmao::roflmao:.