How do you tie down your vehicle?

[tysongladiator]

I have a question, or rather an informative question for the group. I’m hoping that everyone that has an answer will help someone that might be wondering about towing and maybe we can all learn from each other.

I know that everyone has their own way of tying/strapping down their wheeled vehicles/equipment. So how does everyone strap down their vehicles on their trailers for safety? Do you all strap tires or some other mounting point? And no need for the get a real truck answers because this is a trailer towing safety question. Because we all may have to tow at some point, whether we’re towing our jeeps or towing another vehicle with our jeeps.

What do ya’ll say???

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[rharr]

i prefer using the free home depot twine and wrapping everything i can in it, then tieing some loose half hitch knots to non-structural plastic or sheet metal parts. And last but not least i make sure to say that's not going anywhere.

I reality i try to strap something down so if the trailer was turned upside down the item strapped down would still be held in place.

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Check out Shock Straps!!!! Work great, all military grade used material, we used them when used to tow our SxS.

 

[Janster]

Years & Years ago… we towed our 94 YJ on an open deck trailer.

For the front……We used axle straps around the axle tube where the leaf springs/perches were. From the axle straps to the trailer - we used heavy duty chain that we measured precisely for positioning - for proper tonque weight.

For the rear - Axle straps around the axle tubes/leaf springs (similar to the front). And Heavy duty Ratchet straps (3-4” wide) that we crossed.

***The reason why we used chain on the front, is because regular strapping material would stretch causing the jeep to loosen up on the trailer. After a certain amount of miles, we’d have to get out and tighten everything. With chains, there’s no stretch.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

I don't use tie downs, I just park the vehicle on the trailer and drive super carefully to keep it on there. It's kinda like balancing a broom stick on your finger, it's pretty fun.

 

[Jaxmax]

For equipment like your picture I use only chains with ratcheting inline tensioners. For material like wood or furniture straps. As others have said chain does not stretch , and if I am going to rear end someone at speed chains will probably have a better outcome for me. The bucket on the Deere is sorta tied down , I use the tails on my chain after the hook to hold bucket some what.
Yes my Jeep looks sagged but it is partially up a hill and there is 640 pounds of weights on the weight bracket……Jack

 

[tysongladiator]

After being a flatbed driver off and on for 30 years, I’ve tied a few things down. If the machine has its own tiedowns, use them. Tie in an X either pulling away or underneath. If no tiedowns I would strap/chain the axles. Never did the tire thing. Dropping the rear boom on the backhoe will make it more stable. Nowadays you’re supposed to strap the buckets too

Good to note. One of my jobs in the Army was an 88M. I was a HET driver and we mostly hauled tanks. The good thing was that every piece of military equipment had tie downs.

But.... hauling vehicles is different. Some strap tires and some don't. In your 30yrs of experience, how would you tie down a car or even another jeep?

 

[tysongladiator]

I don't use tie downs, I just park the vehicle on the trailer and drive super carefully to keep it on there. It's kinda like balancing a broom stick on your finger, it's pretty fun.

Years & Years ago… we towed our 94 YJ on an open deck trailer.

For the front……We used axle straps around the axle tube where the leaf springs/perches were. From the axle straps to the trailer - we used heavy duty chain that we measured precisely for positioning - for proper tonque weight.

For the rear - Axle straps around the axle tubes/leaf springs (similar to the front). And Heavy duty Ratchet straps (3-4” wide) that we crossed.

***The reason why we used chain on the front, is because regular strapping material would stretch causing the jeep to loosen up on the trailer. After a certain amount of miles, we’d have to get out and tighten everything. With chains, there’s no stretch.

That is true. We used chains for hauling tanks and that was one of the reasons why.

 

[tysongladiator]

For equipment like your picture I use only chains with ratcheting inline tensioners. For material like wood or furniture straps. As others have said chain does not stretch , and if I am going to rear end someone at speed chains will probably have a better outcome for me. The bucket on the Deere is sorta tied down , I use the tails on my chain after the hook to hold bucket some what.
Yes my Jeep looks sagged but it is partially up a hill and there is 640 pounds of weights on the weight bracket……Jack

I was more talking about tying down a vehicle. But... I do agree with you. When I'm hauling my mowers, I use the soft ratchet straps. But when I tow the tractor, I use chains. The only time that I've use the soft straps for the tractor is when I've only gone like a mile or two down the road and didn't want to drive the tractor. Hauling a 60 ton tank will make you a believer in chains. And when you put on the brakes and feel any kind of shift on the trailer, it will freak you the hell out! It'll make you second guess if you did your tie down chains correctly.

BTW, I like your fishing pole setup. Saltwater or freshwater?

 

[Jaxmax]

The salt, East coast beaches….Jack

 

[tysongladiator]

The salt, East coast beaches….Jack

Nice! I live in the woods so I've freshwater fished all of my life. But... lately we've been getting more into saltwater. Trying to get better at it.

Nice setup!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I always strap around an axle, or in the case of a car, the lower control arm.
I try for a sort of X pattern, pulling the corners of the vehicle toward the corners of the trailer.
I've hauled tractors of all sorts, cars, trucks, farm equipment and so on, on my trailers.

Never strap so that your straps are above any springs or suspension.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was more talking about tying down a vehicle. But... I do agree with you. When I'm hauling my mowers, I use the soft ratchet straps. But when I tow the tractor, I use chains. The only time that I've use the soft straps for the tractor is when I've only gone like a mile or two down the road and didn't want to drive the tractor. Hauling a 60 ton tank will make you a believer in chains. And when you put on the brakes and feel any kind of shift on the trailer, it will freak you the hell out! It'll make you second guess if you did your tie down chains correctly.

BTW, I like your fishing pole setup. Saltwater or freshwater?

Yes, chains on something like a tractor. Even my F20 got chains.
I have heavy-duty old-fashioned over-center type chain cinches and log chains.

 

[Koolcarguy]

I have a question, or rather an informative question for the group. I’m hoping that everyone that has an answer will help someone that might be wondering about towing and maybe we can all learn from each other.

I know that everyone has their own way of tying/strapping down their wheeled vehicles/equipment. So how does everyone strap down their vehicles on their trailers for safety? Do you all strap tires or some other mounting point? And no need for the get a real truck answers because this is a trailer towing safety question. Because we all may have to tow at some point, whether we’re towing our jeeps or towing another vehicle with our jeeps.

What do ya’ll say???

As being a dealer for 37 years I've tied down thousand of cars and never lost one yet. I tie pulling forward and pull backwards. Most vehicles have holes in the frames or tie down spots. As far as lumber etc I tie straight across the trailer if possible always check your load after a few miles to maje sure it's still secure.

 

[Deleted member 52902]

Hot Glue Gun the tires in place. Just kidding. That compact tractor has enough weight to do some damage if not chained down tightly. Using a forum to get your answer; you will likely get multiple responses. I suggest you forget that and go right to the horses mouth. A tractor dealer, who probably does this ever day and on multiple occasions each day. You can buy your chains and chain tighteners right there I am sure. You are more likely to get quality chain and chain tighteners there, than at some box store. Qualty chain and tighteners, matter.

this is probably more for a different forum but your quest is Gladiator related here. So specifically for the Gladiator pictured, make sure the total weight of this tow, does not exceed your Gladiators specification. for towed weight as well as tongue weight. Let's say the tractor and trailer come to a total weight of 4,000 pounds. Which properly balanced, should have a value of 10% of that weight, the maximum that would be placed on the trailer hitch. Do both of these numbers fit in the specs of your Gladiator model? How about 20% under that spec? This is the max two numbers I would personally allow on my tow vehicle, Gladiator or otherwise. Frame and powertrain in particular. But also the choice of brand/size and type of tires on the towed vehicle. Grip and especially stopping distance change with towing. Off road oriented tires, not my choice at all but your mileage, and safety may vary. By all means, think about the tire pressure of the tow vehicle and trailer.

Proper use with different tractors and/or implements is paramount. You don't want loads sliding or coming loose. In the case of a tractor, it needs to be position on the trailer such that when you get up to higher speeds, the trailer with load doesn't perform a very dangerous side to side wiggle. Bad things will happen. And jamming on the brakes in the truck is not the solution to slow down. Vehicles and loads have flipped. Position and proper chain down matters. As well as having the trailer level, without the front of the tow vehicle looking any different than if the trailer wasn't connected. Proper hitch height, solid ball, an stinger, weights of the loaded trailer hasn't caused any significant rear vehicle squat and that weight on the trailer ball is within specification for the appropriate hitch and ball. All sorts of things to take in consideration.

Don't take my words here or other posts - go to a tractor dealer and ask the mature and knowledgeable person how to do this. And do not get picky about scratching the paint on the tractor where you need the. chains to go. Safety matters. Good quality chains and hooks. Someone gives you some old chains and tighteners? Maybe don't use them. Start with new stuff so you KNOW your investment is not some worn and potentially breakable old junk.

Trailer brake system up to par. Electric brake controller and wiring in the truck all good?

Proper load range tires that are not more than 5 years old. Otherwise risk a blow out from heated tires? don't go there. State Trooper might take a really close look at your setup if they even think something askew going down the road. Deadly stuff can happen. Seriously.

Tractor with backhoe pictured on the trailer will clear all street and highway obstacles. But if you pull into say, someone else's property, just keep in mind the roof on the tractor and potential low tree limbs or some car port heights.

We all started without knowledge and practiice in everything in life. I just highly recommend you visit a tractor dealership and get advise from them. More likely a reputable KUBOTA, NEW HOLLAND JOHN DEERE, etc. dealer are some good examples. Rental yards? Mmmm, yes but new hires come and go more often at some of these places in my experience.

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