64 replies to this topic

[samsfern]

Ive always tied down at the wheels, and left the winch attached to the car, when ive been towing a car on a trailor. Just stop every now and then when i can be bothered to check security. Simples.

[Cooperman]

I can't believe we have 4 pages on how to get some ratchet straps and tie an object onto a trailer .
I mean it's not exactly difficult. You just tie it on so that it can't come off.

[MIGLIACARS]

you just cannot help some people, and thats why they have accident closing motorways and risking peoples life's.
you need good quality ratchet straps like me. i replace them every year.

[Sam]

Vosa don't muck around, and they will definately stop anything that looks a bit shonky (which is what I'd describe the trailer and strap method on the first page as).

[MIGLIACARS]

yes dont mess with them guys VOSA

[Spud_133]

We've been stopped by vosa at their depot, with only two straps on the car, but the winch on the front, and they let us on our merry way.

[eeae6000]

wheels are not always right way, its a good method though, i never saw it done like that until i got to europe, in the us, they only tie down to the tow hooks underneath the car, want to know why, because the dealer put them there specifically to tow and tie down the car, its how they ship them, if that is what the dealer is doing, its the correct way, just make sure its rachet down enough to compress suspension, if not when it bounces it will loosen, if its tight enough, you wont even have to check it

but like i said, wheels are also a good way, specially for cars like the mini with fragile body panels etc

if the wheels can support the car everyday bouncing and driving on the road, they can be used to tie the car down, even if body is bouncing up and down on the trailer, the wheels will still remain planted, its best to use the x or cross method (ie cross the front 2 and cross the back to) to make sure the car can hop left and right on the trailer, those wheel tie downs that go over the wheel and then get tied down i think are not safe, i use a standard rachet strap (2 inches wide) and run it through the spokes to the inside and then back to the trailer

and never leave it in gear, thats bad, can bust gears


one thing i thought was interesting, i had to respond to a traffic accident of a very large mercedes, the tow truck showed up, had a crane that went over the car with 4 straps hanging down, they were tied to the wheels and the car was lifted onto the bed, pretty niffty

like this

[minidaves]

You should always strap the wheels, this is becasue of the suspention thing, becasue as the shell bounces it can cut or bouce the straps off, if you do not have wheel straps the cross the the strap over the wheels

[and90cooper]

wheels are not always right way, its a good method though, i never saw it done like that until i got to europe, in the us, they only tie down to the tow hooks underneath the car, want to know why, because the dealer put them there specifically to tow and tie down the car, its how they ship them, if that is what the dealer is doing, its the correct way, just make sure its rachet down enough to compress suspension, if not when it bounces it will loosen, if its tight enough, you wont even have to check it

but like i said, wheels are also a good way, specially for cars like the mini with fragile body panels etc

if the wheels can support the car everyday bouncing and driving on the road, they can be used to tie the car down, even if body is bouncing up and down on the trailer, the wheels will still remain planted, its best to use the x or cross method (ie cross the front 2 and cross the back to) to make sure the car can hop left and right on the trailer, those wheel tie downs that go over the wheel and then get tied down i think are not safe, i use a standard rachet strap (2 inches wide) and run it through the spokes to the inside and then back to the trailer

and never leave it in gear, thats bad, can bust gears


one thing i thought was interesting, i had to respond to a traffic accident of a very large mercedes, the tow truck showed up, had a crane that went over the car with 4 straps hanging down, they were tied to the wheels and the car was lifted onto the bed, pretty niffty

like this

how on earth can it "bust gears" when left in gear?
i once had to tie some machinery to a trailer with nothing but rope!!
(i'm an old skool lorry driver and quite used to securing awkward loads with rope-i prefer proper decent rope to ratchet straps as its quicker imho)
there's not much that cant be secured with a dolly knot- look it up on youtube. if you tie one after the other the second knot acts like a pulley on the first and tightens it VERY tightly.
i'm not suggesting people start to tie their cars down with rope,just suggesting what can be done if you know what you are doing lol.
what do you think was used before ratchet straps were invented?

[mingy]

I can't believe we have 4 pages on how to get some ratchet straps and tie an object onto a trailer .
I mean it's not exactly difficult. You just tie it on so that it can't come off.

Must agree...... its not rocket science.

[MISSMADFORMOTORS]

I didnt need 4 pages just needed to know the safest and best way to not damage the car....and to be honest there is nothing wrong with people commenting,after all it is a forum,it's what they are for

[Jordie]

one thing i thought was interesting, i had to respond to a traffic accident of a very large mercedes, the tow truck showed up, had a crane that went over the car with 4 straps hanging down, they were tied to the wheels and the car was lifted onto the bed, pretty niffty

like this

This is what the DVLA use to remove unlicensed cars from the roadside. You will see the white trucks with green text driving around with a similar setup on. Although looking at the picture, that looks like a strap to the wheel rim......the DVLA trucks have cradles on each wheel which fit around the wheel which is alot better than the picture there.

[mingy]

Forget a trailer and pick it up and put it on back if a pickup

Like so



But on a trailer tie down by the wheels :)

As scary Male bears down on photographer................

[mingy]

Forget a trailer and pick it up and put it on back if a pickup

Like so



But on a trailer tie down by the wheels :)

As scary Male bears down on photographer................

Sorry........ I did not mean a scary male bear.

[wolfie]

wheels are not always right way, its a good method though, i never saw it done like that until i got to europe, in the us, they only tie down to the tow hooks underneath the car, want to know why, because the dealer put them there specifically to tow and tie down the car, its how they ship them, if that is what the dealer is doing, its the correct way, just make sure its rachet down enough to compress suspension, if not when it bounces it will loosen, if its tight enough, you wont even have to check it

but like i said, wheels are also a good way, specially for cars like the mini with fragile body panels etc

if the wheels can support the car everyday bouncing and driving on the road, they can be used to tie the car down, even if body is bouncing up and down on the trailer, the wheels will still remain planted, its best to use the x or cross method (ie cross the front 2 and cross the back to) to make sure the car can hop left and right on the trailer, those wheel tie downs that go over the wheel and then get tied down i think are not safe, i use a standard rachet strap (2 inches wide) and run it through the spokes to the inside and then back to the trailer

and never leave it in gear, thats bad, can bust gears


one thing i thought was interesting, i had to respond to a traffic accident of a very large mercedes, the tow truck showed up, had a crane that went over the car with 4 straps hanging down, they were tied to the wheels and the car was lifted onto the bed, pretty niffty

like this

We have a full lift hiab like this, its supposed to be non marking but thats not always the case, we also have a sliding rotator it does the same thing to trucks