Tie down alternatives...

SidecarFlip wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
I have a friend that has been using ratchet straps for over ten years, and never has had an issue.

I too had TCs back in the day, as early as 1969. As has been posted, a 5/16 chain, S-hooks and a turnbuckle was all that was used. The only people I know of that had issues, were those that did not loosen the rear tie downs while driving too fast on rutted roads. Today's spring loaded tie downs would lesson the issue but not solve it.

Personally, I really don't think folks understand what the tie downs are supposed to do. They are to prevent the TC from vibrating forward or rearward as you go down the road. They do provide a little resistance going up a steep hill or driveway. Very few people have really looked at the tie down point on TCs. Some are super secure, and some only 5/16 eyebolt through a 2x2.

I you are really concerned with the movement of ýour TC, install a 1/4", or thicker, rubber mat in the bed of your truck. It is second best to velcro. A polished surface on the rubber mat does not provide as good friction as the mat finish. Anything less than 1/4" does not conform as well to the TC and tru?k bed.

I prefer the horse stall mats, 1/2" or 3/4" thick. I cut mine in 12" or 18" strips to make them easier to load and unload. It also allows me to leave my 5th wheel rails in the bed. Over the years I have tried every thing in the bed of the truck, and I keep going back to the Horse mat.

Fact is, in my opinion, all of the tie down methods work just fine. It is just a matter of preference. Many are over kill and some are very spendy. Some are simply for aesthetics. Bling-bling and bragging rights are a strong motivator. If you enter competitions for loading and unloading your TC, the turnbuckle probably is not your best choice.

Wayne

Thanks for the input Wayne. I don't have a mat but I do have a spray in Rhino Liner.

I'm going to switch to ratchet straps this season (was planning on it all along anyway). My HappyJac screw in tie downs are getting pretty cobbly.

I can see why the thicker rubber mats in the truck bed would be a good addition.

A person with doubt about the advantage a rubber mat offers could observe that advantage with a very simple test.

Place a heavy (40# to 60#) weighted metal or wooded box or similar item in the bed of a truck with no mat. Push that box across the truck bed. Very easy to do.

Repeat the same box push test across a rubber mat placed in the truck bed. Much more effort required to complete the same movement.

Lakeside