How would you tie down your vehicle to a trailer?

[Loki XJ]

I've read quite a few different ways... From using the winch to hold the front down to tying off at the frame to just the axle to crisscross etc etc...

How many ratchet straps will I need? I have my 2 d rings up front with a winch and my rear hitch if I tie to the body... Help would be great, I plan to use my trailer for Gorman but I don't want my first trip to end with the jeep on the side of the road.

[Beck*A*Poo]

[quote="Loki XJ"]I've read quite a few different ways... From using the winch to hold the front down to tying off at the frame to just the axle to crisscross etc etc...

How many ratchet straps will I need? I have my 2 d rings up front with a winch and my rear hitch if I tie to the body... Help would be great, I plan to use my trailer for Gorman but I don't want my first trip to end with the jeep on the side of the road.[/quote]


I kno matt has two ratchet straps in front and 2 in back over axle ... its pretty secure

[Lake_v2]

General consensus is to run straps and chains on axle, crossed two on front two on back

Sure other methods work but why try them just doi the simple way

[Desert Dog]

Always tie to the axles, being sure not to put the strap over brake lines. Crossing the straps is optimal, but on some newer vehicles is imposible because there is too much shit in the way.

Don't use straps that have hooks on the axle end, the hooks have a bad habit of loosening up and coming undone on the road. I have seen it happen to just about everyone in the club that uses them and they are very dangerous IMO when you are dragging a strap/hook down the freeway. Get the straps with loops or rings at the axle end. Dont be afraid to buy short nylon web slings to go aound the axles, and attach those to the stranps with a clevis.

Leave your rig in 4-low when you put it on the trailer, so that there is roll resistance in both axles. I tighten the front first, to take the forward roll out of the equation, then tighten the rear; this prevents the straps from loosening with repeated braking.

I also put one additional strap on the front bumper hoop and compress the suspention about 2 inches. This really limits body roll. Also, if you have them, keep your swaybars connected. I like to keep my tires aired up on the trailer; it seems to keep the straps tighter for longer.

Always check your straps every time you stop.

[abendx]

Good info from Chris.... I can add:

1. WD hitch. Trust me, this will be the best investment you ever make in towing and it negates half of what Chris says to do (although you should follow all of his advice as it is best to be safe). With WD, no need to affix the body in any way, no need to keep sways connected, no need to air up some.... it smooths out the ride and trails tracks one billion times better. I can literally shake the wheel at 70 and have ZERO fishtailing out back. Without the WD... if I sneezed hard I would have to control the fishtailing.

2. Safety chain. Run a single chain around your axle tube in front to the front of the trailer. No one does this, but CHP could fine you since it is required.

3. Weld some hoops. On my axles, I have welded tie down points I picked up from HF. 10k loops that you'd weld to the trailer for tying down work perfect at all four corners. It makes the job go much faster and is safer in my opinion.

[chuckanut105]

Make sure you use straps/ chains that are rated for the load and the right amount. Jeeps are not to much of an issue but I have seen guys at work haul a 50,000# Bulldozer with 4 5000# chains. You want to make sure that your straps/ chains will hold your load under hard braking. The last thing i would like to see in the bed of my truck is my jeep.

[Loki XJ]

First thing I did was go Down and buy 4 ratchet straps that are rated for 3333lbs working load/ 10,000 lbs breaking strength, then i got some d rings like brad mentioned, I will just need to find the optimal spots on the axle for tying down the jeep now...

[abendx]

[quote="Loki XJ"]First thing I did was go Down and buy 4 ratchet straps that are rated for 3333lbs working load/ 10,000 lbs breaking strength, then i got some d rings like brad mentioned, I will just need to find the optimal spots on the axle for tying down the jeep now...[/quote]

I think I should have been clearer. You will want some d-rings for the trailer too... in the most optimal spots. But, what I did was weld more of this onto the axle itself... makes loading and unloading go by 75% faster!

You can see what I mean by looking at my old rear.... check out the pass side tube:

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XyjNTWRFjUg/USkFJYi9toI/AAAAAAAAlBA/dZa213HjmC4/s1255/IMG_20130223_100356.jpg[/img]

There is another on the driver side and two up front. Just hook in, tighten, and go.... no need to fuck with axle straps or trying to find a good clean spot to attach to.

[Toy4xchris]

I use 4 straps 2 in front I run them straight and always on axles ( if you got to a trailer shop to buy straps you can get the axle straps also thats what i use.
then I run 2 straps on rear crossed and always on the axle.

[xjrguy]

Lots of Velcro.

[Ben H.]

[quote="abendx"][quote="Loki XJ"]First thing I did was go Down and buy 4 ratchet straps that are rated for 3333lbs working load/ 10,000 lbs breaking strength, then i got some d rings like brad mentioned, I will just need to find the optimal spots on the axle for tying down the jeep now...[/quote]

I think I should have been clearer. You will want some d-rings for the trailer too... in the most optimal spots. But, what I did was weld more of this onto the axle itself... makes loading and unloading go by 75% faster!

You can see what I mean by looking at my old rear.... check out the pass side tube:

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XyjNTWRFjUg/USkFJYi9toI/AAAAAAAAlBA/dZa213HjmC4/s1255/IMG_20130223_100356.jpg[/img]

There is another on the driver side and two up front. Just hook in, tighten, and go.... no need to fuck with axle straps or trying to find a good clean spot to attach to.[/quote]

I'm assuming because the tires are not bald that cant be your JK right?

[abendx]

Bald tires... Whatcha talking about Willis?

And yes Mr Butthole.... that is my junk getting the knife action. Go look in the show off sub-forum at the committed thread for more pics of this abortion in the making. No more worrying about keeping the sheet metal straight any longer.... now I have to worry about scratching the new rims.