Having a problem towing a car on a trailer?

You just can't beat chain and binders,once its snug its not going to move

Whenever I tie anything with Ratchet Straps I only us DOT Straps. They have a Red Thread that runs the length of the strap. Since I started using this type of straps I have not any problems. Usually I stop after a couple of miles to check out everything, but I rarely have to tighten them up. I also tie to the Tires or Suspension crossing the straps side to side. I do this with both cars and Motorcycles and have not had any problems in 10,000+ miles of towing.

Coyote74 wrote:
Get nylon straps not plastic coated, and X the 2 rear and x the 2 front, across the axles , works for me.

Actually you do NOT want the nylon tie downs. You actually want Polyester straps/tie downs. Most all of the manufacturers will encourage you to go with polyester as the nylon will inherently stretch as well as slip more than the polyester tie downs.

Mike.

Get nylon straps not plastic coated, and X the 2 rear and x the 2 front, across the axles , works for me.

Again, I guess we will agree to disagree on strapping to the frame or axles. This is nothing new as even on many of the off-road forums this seems to be debated. Many companies that manufacture tie downs will give their recommendations and the reasoning for it but ultimately say it is up to the vehicle owner. If you look at how they show up to off road events though, they are strapped to the axles or the tires/wheels with slings, leaving the suspension to move, which is no different than driving it down the road.

I would just encourage whatever method you choose to use that you use a quality tie down with the proper rating for your vehicle and in perfect working condition. It scares the hell out of me when we go to off-road events and see not only how vehicles are strapped down but also the condition of the straps themselves.

Personally I will continue strapping to the axles to eliminate all of that preload on my suspension.

Mike.

The main reason to tie down by the body is to make sure that in an emergency situation the vehicle does not start moving in the opposite direction of the trailer. When you tie to a suspension component; control arms, etc and have to make an emergency lane out, lane back change the vehicle will rock on the springs and on the move back will start to move opposite of the trailer causing a severe wag. When you tie to the body this will not happen but tying down by the suspension will not allow the tie downs to work loose. The tie downs will only work loose if they stretch, slip on the ratchet or are not tightened down sufficiently. You should always tie down using a body point but sometimes the trailer size or tie down points do not allow this so you are left to tie to a suspension component.
Randy

hotjag1 wrote:
I do agree with the above post and think that part of the reason that I was having a problem with the straps loosening is because I should have compressed the suspension.

Not necessarily, I do NOT compress the suspension and I have never had a strap come loose. I think your straps coming loose is caused by something else.

Mike.

I do agree with the above post and think that part of the reason that I was having a problem with the straps loosening is because I should have compressed the suspension.

I have been using an open trailer for the last 9 years and about 70,000 miles. I have never has a strap come loose. I connect to the frame and compress the suspension.

Hi All.

Hey, even Professional Semi Drives have to keep stopping once in a while and re-check their loads and make sure their straps are still tight. And keep readjusting as needed on long hauls.

Stuff behind a Motorhome being Towed is no different. I check my Toad every time we make a stop, and check everything out.

After 46+ plus years as "Travelers" and RV'ers and "Boon-Dockers", and many, many years as an "OTR Trucker", I haven't lost a singal thing.

Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill