Why cross tie-down straps - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Honkylips · 11-01-2005, 07:57 AM

I see a lot of rigs tied down with the straps crossed, you know, right rear of the vehicle to left rear of trailer, and so on. What's the benefit of this?

Jrod-13 · 11-01-2005, 08:03 AM

no clue on straps.. those are for tieing down rubermade totes..

But the reson for crossing your CHAINS to your rig, is to help keep it centered on the deck of the trailer.

ramv · 11-01-2005, 08:12 AM

In order to apply force equally in three dimensions, (given the right rear, you want to pull down, left and back) you ideally would want it at 45 degrees to all planes. In order to get the left to right angle crossing gives you more distance to work with. Its just a geometry thing, some people think its required, others don't. I like to on mine, but I also use straps, so I guess I must be wrong.

4x4not · 11-01-2005, 08:35 AM

Well I use straps and chains, and cross the front and rear. Just keeps the rig more stable. I have seen guys cross the back and not the front, and visa-versa. I'd post pics but my web server is down for the time being

dubbyx · 11-01-2005, 09:48 AM

so was anything ever decided if it was better to strap off the frame as opposed to the axles?

I've heard as many opinions on this as I have crossing straps/chains...

n9emz · 11-01-2005, 10:55 AM

I don't know that one way is any better than another....I tie down the frame because I don't like bouncing going on back there. I guess one way of looking at it is, where does the factory locate the transport brackets?

withamc · 11-01-2005, 11:55 AM

I recently switched from strapping the frame down to a chain over the rear axle and ratchet straps to the front axle. I had had one or two times where the ratchet straps had come off on rough roads. It's been fine since, although I haven't had an emergency lane change under hard braking yet either.

Chris

DRM · 11-01-2005, 12:07 PM

I can tell you one thing - if you lose one strap or chain while crossing them you pretty much just defeated the entire system. At least if you tie down in a "burst" pattern and lose one of the 4 corners, you still have the opposing corner on the other end to keep things relatively snug.

SanDiegoCJ · 11-01-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrod-13

no clue on straps.. those are for tieing down rubermade totes..

But the reson for crossing your CHAINS to your rig, is to help keep it centered on the deck of the trailer.

Oh B.S. on the dissing straps.

Proper straps, properly attached work just fine.

Jrod-13 · 11-01-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubbyx

so was anything ever decided if it was better to strap off the frame as opposed to the axles?

Personaly, I'm a fan of chaining the axles, and then strapping the frame to control sway, if needed

SanDiegoCJ · 11-01-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubbyx

so was anything ever decided if it was better to strap off the frame as opposed to the axles?

I've heard as many opinions on this as I have crossing straps/chains...

I've heard people claim that attaching the straps or chains to the body keeps
the load (vehicle) more stable on the trailer. Well, I have both a SOA CJ7 and
a rock buggy that I have trailered and I always strap them down by the axles.
Both of them are very softly sprung and I don't feel them bouncing around at all.
I've had NO stability problems. It's been a non-issue.

Po' riggity · 11-01-2005, 02:15 PM

My jeeps frame has holes perfect for the hooks in the straps to go into, so I'll attach the STRAPS (no chains for me) to the frame front and rear, and cross them as well... IF I can ever get my damn trailer done.
Scott

n9emz · 11-01-2005, 02:27 PM

Clusterhook straps rock!

scout254 · 11-01-2005, 03:28 PM

I have heard bad news in the past about strapping your axles down with CHAIN. When I loaded my 5600 lb scout down on a trailer, I did four individual chainbinders, 1 per corner, and bought nylon straps to wrap around the axle tubes. I believe Calif requires four tie down points.

4x4not · 11-01-2005, 03:41 PM

OK, webserver is back up....

I use straps around the axle and then chains crossed in the back. The hanging chain is just the excess held up with a bolt.

3500lb WLL hooks on the trailer end

And combo axle ratchet straps in the front, also crossed.

My junk doesn't budge at all once tightened down.

xfaktor · 11-01-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrod-13

Personaly, I'm a fan of chaining the axles, and then strapping the frame to control sway, if needed

x2

Body can bounce around and let the link loosen up/un hook. The axel dosent bounce. I then put 2 strap on each side on the rocker guard to control boucing/sway of the body.

85blue4runner · 11-01-2005, 08:02 PM

might want to look at professional auto transporters. they cinch the vehicle down to the bumpstops or pretty darn close to it. you never see a car tied down on a large transporter by its tires or axles. even if you cant see up into the underside of the car, the wheels will be stuffed into the wheel wells, showing that the body and frame are pulled down tight. Not saying that there is not any other way. Just looking at the people who make a living doing it day in and day out all year...

B-rock · 11-01-2005, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanDiegoCJ

Oh B.S. on the dissing straps.

Proper straps, properly attached work just fine.

X2 I have a set of mac's straps, VERY quick and VERY stout. Reinforced where they wrap around the axle.

withamc · 11-01-2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85blue4runner

might want to look at professional auto transporters. they cinch the vehicle down to the bumpstops or pretty darn close to it. you never see a car tied down on a large transporter by its tires or axles. even if you cant see up into the underside of the car, the wheels will be stuffed into the wheel wells, showing that the body and frame are pulled down tight. Not saying that there is not any other way. Just looking at the people who make a living doing it day in and day out all year...

Yes, but almost all of those vehicles have about 2" of wheel travel. I have done it both ways - just recently switched to strapping axles instead of frame and I gotta say I prefer the new way better. Like I said, I've lost a strap when hitting a bump with the frame tie down method and also bent one end of the trailer heading into JV a couple years ago when the suspension compressed and rebounded.

jchio · 11-02-2005, 12:30 AM

I use chains from the front and rear bumper to compress the suspension and keep it tight.

Then a pair of straps from the axles, all of them in the >< pattern. Never had a problem with it. It keeps the vehicle from shifting from one side to another...

Eskimo · 11-02-2005, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrod-13

Personaly, I'm a fan of chaining the axles, and then strapping the frame to control sway, if needed

Ditto.

I chain the rear axle in a X, strap the front axle, and then run straps to the sides of the rig (rock rails usually) to control the body roll, but they are not cinched down really tight, just enough to take the slack out of them.

My 3500 doesn't care about the rig flopping around on the trailer, but it's just more secure.

I have had to perform an evasive maneuver (thanks to my dumb ass being inattentive) with the rig strapped down like this, and if the frame wasn't held in place at all, I don't think the trailer would have tracked as well because of the weight shift.

basically, it was nail the brakes as hard as possible to scrub off speed, then release, steer around the stopped car in front of me (that I didn't notice because of said dumb-assness), then back on the brakes again hard once straightened up.

A couple of the hot shot guys I know/talk to have been using straps over the tires of cars, and are very pleaseed with the results.. That's how my Audi was transported when I sold it, and the body kit wouldn't have allowed using the frame tie-downs anyway. I think Porsche and Ferrari both say to not tie down to the frame, instead, use straps through the wheels? Anyone know for sure?

DRM · 11-02-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4not

OK, webserver is back up....

I use straps around the axle and then chains crossed in the back. The hanging chain is just the excess held up with a bolt.

3500lb WLL hooks on the trailer end

And combo axle ratchet straps in the front, also crossed.

My junk doesn't budge at all once tightened down.

The way you have that hooked up it pretty much defeats the purpose of the X pattern. No way I'd strap my rig that way.

4x4extreme · 11-02-2005, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRM

The way you have that hooked up it pretty much defeats the purpose of the X pattern. No way I'd strap my rig that way.

I agree

One of the most important things is to strap the outer most part of the axle tube then go to the other side of the trailer

The advantage to the x pattern is to hold the rig from moving side to side and front to back

4Mogger · 11-02-2005, 08:31 AM

Seems to me strapping down the axles is the most secure (impossible for the vehicle to "hop" because of suspension movement.)
Then a couple of light duty straps run to the sliders to keep the body from bouncing around if you notice that it is prone to do so.
I think the "X" pattern would be the worse placement IF you had a tie down failure. The "starburt" pattern anchored well away from the vehicle (as opposed to straight down) to me makes the most sense.
Also, since I chose a short trailer (14') I run my front axle straps/chain to the rear deck rings and the rear axle straps/chain to the front deck rings. Again, the greater the separation (within reason) the more secure the load. Just my .02

4Mogger · 11-02-2005, 08:33 AM

pro car transporters tie down the body because the car is inches away from the trailer structure, not because it is more secure.

11-01-2005, 07:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Honkylips Rock God Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 6136 Location: Yo' mama's house Posts: 1,046	Why cross tie-down straps I see a lot of rigs tied down with the straps crossed, you know, right rear of the vehicle to left rear of trailer, and so on. What's the benefit of this? __________________ I like potatos

11-01-2005, 08:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jrod-13 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 17313 Location: Tower, MN Posts: 2,794	no clue on straps.. those are for tieing down rubermade totes.. But the reson for crossing your CHAINS to your rig, is to help keep it centered on the deck of the trailer. __________________ A recent survay of over 1000 trailer parks in the southeast found the 350 chevy out numbered the mullet by nearly 4:1, draw your own conclusion.

11-01-2005, 08:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
ramv Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11921 Location: Denver Posts: 3,133	In order to apply force equally in three dimensions, (given the right rear, you want to pull down, left and back) you ideally would want it at 45 degrees to all planes. In order to get the left to right angle crossing gives you more distance to work with. Its just a geometry thing, some people think its required, others don't. I like to on mine, but I also use straps, so I guess I must be wrong. __________________ My build thread: [url]http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508537[/url]

11-01-2005, 08:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
4x4not Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27342 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,267	Well I use straps and chains, and cross the front and rear. Just keeps the rig more stable. I have seen guys cross the back and not the front, and visa-versa. I'd post pics but my web server is down for the time being __________________ Unwheeled

11-01-2005, 10:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
n9emz Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30778 Location: Springville, IN Posts: 501	I don't know that one way is any better than another....I tie down the frame because I don't like bouncing going on back there. I guess one way of looking at it is, where does the factory locate the transport brackets? __________________ Sam Towel Boy for Team Deliverance BACON - [URL="http://rrorc.com"]The Fuel of Team F.A.T.[/URL] [URL="http://home.bluemarble.net/~n9emz/Vehicles/gaymobile.jpg"]Primary Tow Rig[/URL] Last edited by n9emz; 11-01-2005 at 10:56 AM.

11-01-2005, 09:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
dubbyx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52028 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 316	so was anything ever decided if it was better to strap off the frame as opposed to the axles? I've heard as many opinions on this as I have crossing straps/chains...

11-01-2005, 11:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
withamc Rock God Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1757 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 1,144	I recently switched from strapping the frame down to a chain over the rear axle and ratchet straps to the front axle. I had had one or two times where the ratchet straps had come off on rough roads. It's been fine since, although I haven't had an emergency lane change under hard braking yet either. Chris

11-01-2005, 12:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
DRM Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 8 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 35,027 Blog Entries: 1	I can tell you one thing - if you lose one strap or chain while crossing them you pretty much just defeated the entire system. At least if you tie down in a "burst" pattern and lose one of the 4 corners, you still have the opposing corner on the other end to keep things relatively snug. __________________ >David > 4x4Spot.com >It only hurts the first* time you agree with me...* >"A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men."

11-01-2005, 02:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
Po' riggity HeiserOilMotorsports Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1515 Location: Lake Arrowhead, Ca Posts: 7,984	My jeeps frame has holes perfect for the hooks in the straps to go into, so I'll attach the STRAPS (no chains for me) to the frame front and rear, and cross them as well... IF I can ever get my damn trailer done. Scott __________________ Black Star Status!

11-01-2005, 02:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
n9emz Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30778 Location: Springville, IN Posts: 501	Clusterhook straps rock! __________________ Sam Towel Boy for Team Deliverance BACON - [URL="http://rrorc.com"]The Fuel of Team F.A.T.[/URL] [URL="http://home.bluemarble.net/~n9emz/Vehicles/gaymobile.jpg"]Primary Tow Rig[/URL]

11-01-2005, 03:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
scout254 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Member # 56574 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,160	trailer tie down I have heard bad news in the past about strapping your axles down with CHAIN. When I loaded my 5600 lb scout down on a trailer, I did four individual chainbinders, 1 per corner, and bought nylon straps to wrap around the axle tubes. I believe Calif requires four tie down points. __________________ 63 Scout 80, 350 sm465 klune 205, 1 tons, 40" Mtr's

11-01-2005, 03:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
4x4not Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27342 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,267	OK, webserver is back up.... I use straps around the axle and then chains crossed in the back. The hanging chain is just the excess held up with a bolt. 3500lb WLL hooks on the trailer end And combo axle ratchet straps in the front, also crossed. My junk doesn't budge at all once tightened down. __________________ Unwheeled

11-01-2005, 08:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
85blue4runner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 33536 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,142	might want to look at professional auto transporters. they cinch the vehicle down to the bumpstops or pretty darn close to it. you never see a car tied down on a large transporter by its tires or axles. even if you cant see up into the underside of the car, the wheels will be stuffed into the wheel wells, showing that the body and frame are pulled down tight. Not saying that there is not any other way. Just looking at the people who make a living doing it day in and day out all year...

11-02-2005, 12:30 AM	#20 (permalink)
jchio Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 34 Location: Close to Hell, Mx Posts: 1,180	I use chains from the front and rear bumper to compress the suspension and keep it tight. Then a pair of straps from the axles, all of them in the >< pattern. Never had a problem with it. It keeps the vehicle from shifting from one side to another... __________________ [URL="http://www.Jeeperos.com/foros"]Jeeperos.com[/URL] Well, the guy wants to run for president, he thinks Moby Dick is a venereal disease.

11-02-2005, 08:31 AM	#24 (permalink)
4Mogger Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 33748 Location: Montrose, CO Posts: 2,734	Seems to me strapping down the axles is the most secure (impossible for the vehicle to "hop" because of suspension movement.) Then a couple of light duty straps run to the sliders to keep the body from bouncing around if you notice that it is prone to do so. I think the "X" pattern would be the worse placement IF you had a tie down failure. The "starburt" pattern anchored well away from the vehicle (as opposed to straight down) to me makes the most sense. Also, since I chose a short trailer (14') I run my front axle straps/chain to the rear deck rings and the rear axle straps/chain to the front deck rings. Again, the greater the separation (within reason) the more secure the load. Just my .02

11-02-2005, 08:33 AM	#25 (permalink)
4Mogger Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Member # 33748 Location: Montrose, CO Posts: 2,734	pro car transporters tie down the body because the car is inches away from the trailer structure, not because it is more secure.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode