How are you tieing down your car in your enclosed trailer

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rod7515

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I have an early A Body, 66 Dart and I just bought an enclosed trailer. Was wondering what type of tie down methods you are using and how are you attaching them to the car.
Also what are some things I should do for using this trailer to haul the car when I need too.
Pics would be great.
It is a 24 ft x 8.5 ft.
Thanks
Rod
 
Dart4forte, Where on the car do you pull with the ratchet straps. Did you add any hooks or rings to the car anywhere?
Rod
 
Dart4forte, Where on the car do you pull with the ratchet straps. Did you add any hooks or rings to the car anywhere?
Rod

We wrap the strap around the lower control arms at the front and around the axle tubes on the back... Use the hooks on the straps on the hooks/rings of the trailer...

Be sure not to contact the brake lines and crushing the lines when strapping the rear axle....
 
By strapping around the control arms and rear diff, the car suspension can move freely and no chance for straps to loosen.
Depending on wheels, you could use the short straps with d rings through the wheels.
Allowing suspension on car to work,its less of a harsh ride too.
 
I saw these on another Mopar website.

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I do mine as mentioned in post #5. I winch mine on, rear straps first, then front straps, leaving the winch line attached.
When I place my straps I go over the top of the anchor spot and bring the clip end back towards me.
If I put the car on the night before I check and tighten the straps before I leave. Surprise you had the loosen just sitting in the driveway.
If its a load and go, I will find a spot 15-20 miles down the road pull and tighten the straps as needed.
Taken mine all over the US without a problem...Have Fun!!
 
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I saw these on another Mopar website.

View attachment 1715316040

Not worth the effort unless you plan to do a lot of hauling of that vehicle IMO.
Even then I'd go with straps around the axle
OR the wheel strap "baskets" as used on tow dollies, etc.

A lot of trailer queens on that site. With laminated lists of the procedures for loading and unloading.
 
Dart4forte, Where on the car do you pull with the ratchet straps. Did you add any hooks or rings to the car anywhere?
Rod

I have the spring plates on the rear and tabs mounted at the sway bar on the front. I’ll be loading the car this afternoon so I can get you a few pics. Something else I do is get new straps every so often. I’ve found that the materials they use on the straps these days tend to to stretch..
 
Ratchet straps. I winch my cars in then strap them down. I always cross strap my tie downs.

I have and do maintain this is a mistake. If EG one rear strap comes loose, this allows the vehicle to "catwalk sideways and then all the remaining three have slack. That cannot happen if the straps are short and run front/ rear or at a slight angle to the eyes. short direct straps.
 
I used to haul expensive exotics across the country. I (mostly) used basket straps on the tires and d rings and E-track bolted to the floors.
 
Not worth the effort unless you plan to do a lot of hauling of that vehicle IMO.
Even then I'd go with straps around the axle
OR the wheel strap "baskets" as used on tow dollies, etc.

A lot of trailer queens on that site. With laminated lists of the procedures for loading and unloading.
...................

I added a leaf.
So.
I don't have much extra thread.
I like the "baskets"..... I've used them.
 
I wouldn't consider mine a trailer queen. Six months out of the year we drive it 20-30 miles a week.
If a show is close we drive to it. We trailer it longer distance and avoid the rocks chips and crappy roads of the Midwest.
Plus road trips in the 3/4 ton is always nice!!
 
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As mentioned before E-track with basket straps , cross tied in the rear . Another method is to use straps on the front and cross ratchet straps in the rear . If you use straps get the ones with the twisted snap hook with a safety mouse . Some have a build in axle strap which is helpful . You only need 2 ratchet straps and 2 adjustable axle straps . don't get the ones that have them flat hooks or double open ended hooks . they are for flatbed cargo tiedowns . At least 2" wide are necessary . Also, nothing too long . They are just a pita . should be under $100.00 for a good set . Good luck and happy towing .
 
^^I wish you guys who are into "cross" binding would find some documentation "how it is better." Seems to me it's trouble waiting to happen.
 
For the record.....
Safety chains must be crossed

PENNSYLVANIA
Whenever 2 vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch, or pintle hook without a locking device, they must also be connected by 2 safety chains of equal length, each safety chain having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles. The safety chains must be crossed and connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the towbar to prevent the towbar from dropping to the ground in the event the towbar fails or becomes disconnected. The safety chains must have no more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning.
 
Dfr360cuda,
You are correct on the safety chains for the hitch.
I think that 67dart273 was meaning the tie downs for the car on the trailer when he referred to the "cross" binding of the vehicles when being towed.
I was always told the same thing as well, so today I spent a lot of time and could find anything written that says its the law. I did find an article in a Hagerty insurance page that talks about tying down your car. Her is the page I found. It refers to the tie down can be done in either manner and then the picture they put in the article has them cross binded. I plan on asking my neice who is a PA state trooper if there is any documentation of what the law is here. When I do I will certainly post.

Here is the part of the Hagerty page:

"By tying down the chassis, the car floats down the road as it is supposed to. You can cross the ratchet straps or keep them straight. Wrap the axle strap around the axle housing in the rear, and then use the ratchet straps to increase tension. Up front, wrap the axle strap around something that won’t cut the strap – like an A-arm, chassis rail or solid front axle – and use the ratchet straps to finish tying the car down. Be careful not to secure the straps around the sway bars, steering arms or the steering rack. When positioning the straps, make sure that no brake or oil lines are crushed."
The pic that is part of the article didnt copy over.
Maybe there is someone else that can help shed some light on this.
Rod
 
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