Trailer tie down

[Mitch]

For those of you that use 4 corner tie downs and not the wheel over baskets, do you cross strap or run them straight out and why?

[BNCHIEF]

Mitch i run 2 from the rearend to the front and straight 2 more from rearend to the rear I then come off of each corner of the car with lighter rachet straps and criss cross them i never pull on the front axle.

[JB-OB]

I've taught never, never, NEVER, cross tie from corner to corner, always straight.

With cross tie, if one side becomes loose, the other side becomes completely useless also.

Yes,I know you have always cross tied for the past 75 years without a problem,& God loves you.

For the rest of us, be smart. JB

[Mitch]

I've taught never, never, NEVER, cross tie from corner to corner, always straight.

With cross tie, if one side becomes loose, the other side becomes completely useless also.

Yes,I know you have always cross tied for the past 75 years without a problem,& God loves you.

For the rest of us, be smart. JB

Those are my feelings also so i always straight tie.
On the front i lasso around the front axle just inside the spindle on both sides. On the rear i go around the axle tubes just inside the backing plates, and tighten all four corners down evenly.

[BNCHIEF]

I think you misunderstand I run my heavy straps straight i use light motorcycle tie downs criss crossed at the corners of the car like you do Mitch they are not holding the car only preventing sideways movement. And always allow the suspension to work.

[Mitch]

Chief i understood what you were saying that your main straps are straight. Some folks use the crisscross method front and back, i have seen that at the race tracks a lot that way.

[BNCHIEF]

Ok but i guess i do not see the problem with it As far as straps getting loose that is why you check them after a few miles. Having trucked all my life i have hauled and tied down many things. I am open to any input. I can understand not criss crossing your main hold down straps.

[Mitch]

I feel having the main straps straight as you and i do are the better way. I agree with Jim's explanation in post # 3

I see so many using the other method

[BNCHIEF]

I understand Mitch and i know what you mean i have seen cars done that way and that is something I do not do, dot has specific regs on tying down freight and equipment but then we see a lot of trailers without functioning break-away or safety chains. I agree with what Jim has to say but I also use the tire baskets you mentioned in your first post i like to have things secured good.

[tbirdtbird]

Yikes!
I used to straight strap. The roads in the northeast are the most horrible on the planet, more like potholes strung together with a few random ribbons of asphalt. Have hauled cars of many marques, not just Model As. I am a nazi about re-tightening the straps periodically. Once on a bad stretch of road the car hopped to the side on the trailer and made it almost impossible to get in the door.
Have cross strapped ever since. If you lose a strap either way, you are screwed. Be sure you choose only high quality straps such as you get from the suppliers to the tow/recover industry. I get mine from AW Direct. Inspect them from time to time for chaffing and splitting. REPLACE when needed

This topic should be part of the whitewalls and oil thread!!!

[BNCHIEF]

Which is exactly why i do mine like i do straight straps(main) lighter motorcycle straps to prevents sideways movement and baskets to prevent up and down. Always let suspension work.

[Big hammer]

I'am thinking the real trick is to keep your tie-downs as short as possible, and as close to where you hook on to your car. Sometimes I've wrapped the main strap around the back of the tire,crossing on the outside and down. Anyone use wheel chocks in addition with straps?

[BNCHIEF]

big hammer think about how the load can move, back and forth side to side up and down that is what you need to control if you pull down on the suspension you will be loose and tight and will not accomplish nothing.

[Mitch]

I think BH meant that he is tying down the axle and not the body

[BNCHIEF]

I understood what he was saying my response was more something to think about with any car did not mean to imply he was doing any thing wrong but I have seen people haul newer cars and chain from the frame and that really is not a good way to do
things such as you said about seeing cars with the straps criss-crossed.

[Big hammer]

To clarify my statement, strap around the tire and crossed hub cap side down to the floor. Almost like a tire basket ! I have hauled way too much in my life, if I had a dollar for each item I would be a millionaire LOL, no I would have more than one model A !

[BNCHIEF]

My fingers do not always type what i am thinking.

[Tom Wesenberg]

About a year ago there was a story about a guy in Europe who had just picked up his restored antique Rolls Royce. As I recall, he used a pretty light tow vehicle, lost control, and totaled the tow vehicle, trailer, and the Rolls Royce.

[BNCHIEF]

Wheel base of tow vehicle weight ratings all contribute to safe towing.

[Mitch]

Tom i think i remember that it was being pulled by a Landrover.