Chain Binders vs Rachet Axle Straps

[BigDan]

Alright this forum's first Poll----

What do you guys prefer? I like the Axle Straps and my buddy is die hard Chain. I know chain will stand the test of time and is always legal for any weight, but I like the ease of the straps.

[AGGIECJ-7]

i have been through a few straps with my jeep and trailer. the onbly reason that i have had them break is that the rub up agienst something and get a small tear in them. when you start putting the force of stopping a vehicle on them they start to tear. i recently got some straps that only go around the axle tube and the straps hook to that and the trailer. hopefully it will eliminate the tearing problem. the main reason that i dont like chains is that they are unforgiving and have no give at all. Also i dont think that there is more then 10,000 lbs of holding force excerted on the straps(thats what they are rated at).....

[TJpwr]

I remember in another post similar to this, quite a few people agreed that a strap in the front and a chain in the rear was the way to go. The reason is that the rear will almost always have more load put on it (braking, crash ) This is what I have been doing latley and it has worked out great. Now I did not vote because I don't fit in either one...

Phil

[randii]

Choice C: All of the above.
Yea, that's right.... both.

Straps are convenient, easier on the rig, easier to dial in to exact lengths (not dependent on chain link increments) ... and quieter to use (neighbors won't kill you for late-night chain-ups). I use the straps on the front axle.

Chains go on the back axle.... even loud and awkward as they are, i can use a chain graded for 20k-plus pounds on each side -- try that with a strap.

I think straps would hold fine on the road, even under emergency braking, but if I ever t-bone the proverbial busload of nuns, I don't want to worry about my load snapping its straps in the collision and coming up on top of me!

So, belt and suspenders.... here's how I do it, YMMV,
1.) Chains up the back axle.
2.) Roll the truck forward to tension the chains
3.) Crank the straps tight in the front.

Randii

[That Mick]

I boom down to the axles.

Wrap the chain over the axle, under the pumpkin and over the other axle.

Works great as long as you allow for the brake lines and such.

FWIW: if you boom to the axles and need it very tight, air down, boom, then air back up 5 lbs.

[MattS]

These straps are similar to the ones I used: http://www.rjays.com/Rjays_tiedowns/S-Line-1.htm They have a nice sleeve to keep the strap from fraying. 40,000 pounds worth of straps for under $200.

[70~K5]

If you like chain and binders, try the screw type binders. They work a lot better than cam over binders for tieing down rigs.

[Travis Waldher]

Heh.. I think you guys missed something.

Your not tieing your rig to the trailer, more like the opposite. If the trailer only weighs in at 1800lbs or so, and the rig is 3,000lbs... well you get the idea.

Myself.. I just use ratchet straps. The standard ones have a max load rating of 10,000lbs, working load limit of 3,333lbs. I just tie to the frame and ratchet down until the suspension is compressed a good bit. haven't had a problem, even in emergency manuevers.

[BigDan]

That's what winch's are for. I also use my winch as a frame to trailer mount.

[Recurve]

I use chains on the back and straps on the front.

[85 rocrnr]

straps all the way chains are such a mess!

[tigger4x]

Originally posted by randii
Choice C: All of the above.
Yea, that's right.... both.


So, belt and suspenders.... here's how I do it, YMMV,
1.) Chains up the back axle.
2.) Roll the truck forward to tension the chains
3.) Crank the straps tight in the front.

Randii

I'm gonna hafta go with Randii on this one!! I figure it the saem as a couple others so far and that is chains will have the FULL AWN strength to keep your rig from coming forward in a bads situation AND using the ratchet straps up front to bring it up tight. I'm gonna consider using the winch to bring the front end down as well because you never know when Murphy's Law is gonna the straps.

[TEX]

Chains. Once they're tight, they're tight. They don't break. And if you can't muscle 'em down with a bar, then get a ratcheting load binder. I've used both & I really can't see how straps would be more "convenient" Just the opposite really since you have to make sure they don't twist or rub on anything sharp.

TEX

[nobody20]

I use 4 rachet straps now but after reading others responses I am going to change to chains in the rear.

Does anybody use the over the tire straps?

[tigger4x]

Originally posted by nobody20
... Does anybody use the over the tire straps?

Haven't seen available YET ... but I haven't really been looking I guess. Seems like they could potentially be incorporated into a good trailer up front at least.

Do you have a lead on where to get 'em

[BillaVista]

btt

[kwrangln]

Just watch your ass with chain binders. When I delivered lumber, one of the yard monkeys was doing me a favor by binding the load together and the cheater pipe slipped off the binder. Handle of the binder caught him right above his left eye, fractured orbital and it lifted him a few feet off the ground, he landed on his ass a few feet away out cold. If you do use chain binders, always zip tie the handle so that it cant just be lifted open. Always put the binder (or ratchet of the ratchetstrap for that matter) on the passenger side so your not standing in traffic to check your load. Always face the handle of the binder toward the rear of the trailer so it wont snag brush etc and be forced open. Winches should not be used to secure the vehicle, they have a real small brake to be trusting. Secure the axles, not the frame, unless you snug the suspension to the bumpstops then there will be movement of the suspension when you drive over bumps, this will slack and tighted your straps/chains every time you go over a bump. OK, thats all for now.

[RawkRash]

I use 4 chains. One at each corner to anchors built into the deck of the trailer. I loop the chains over the rear axle and back to themselves and hook them. Then I roll the Jeep forward to tighten them. I hook the front chains the same way, as tightly as possible. Then I take a 5K ratchet strap and hook it between the two front chains and pull them toward each other. Doing this tightens all four chains and if the strap should break, the vehicle is still held by 4 chains with very little slack.

So far, so good. . .

[Two Dogs F..king]

We use chains and booms. Can't ever go wrong with that. They stay secure, and don't brake. GO CHAINS AND BOOMS!

[postal]

At one time I was thinking about buying some straps. They sounded good, but about that time, a friend was hauling a load of car trailers stacked on his gooseneck, and his straps broke and left trailers all over the road. Luckily, no one was hurt. I'll stick with my chains, thank you.

Think about it - we've all seen straps break. Tow straps, etc. I've seen them on the side of the trail. I've seen them tied back together to use again - stupid! I broke a 20,000 lb. rated strap trying to pull an old bush out of the ground. Yet I have never broken a 3/8" steel chain. I've pulled trees out of the ground with chains, no breaks.

I agree with kwrangln's post. All good pointers. For securing the binder handles, instead of zip-ties, I use a tarp strap to wrap around the handle and chain, and then hook to the trailer. One chain at a rear corner (around the axle) and another chain at the opposite front corner. If you think chains are too dirty and messy, maybe you've chosen the wrong hobby

[damon_achey]

Originally posted by kwrangln
... Always put the binder (or ratchet of the ratchetstrap for that matter) on the passenger side so your not standing in traffic to check your load. ...

I know it makes sense that way, but I like to put mine on the drives side because it makes it easier to check them periodically in the mirror while driving. I'm just that paranoid.

Damon

[66CJdean]

With chains it isn't all that hard to bend the housing but it isn't like you cant tighten it down hard or they might come loose. I use 4 rachet straps on my rig.

[Paul Gagnon]

Originally posted by postal

I agree with kwrangln's post. All good pointers. For securing the binder handles, instead of zip-ties, I use a tarp strap to wrap around the handle and chain, and then hook to the trailer.

For long distances mousing wire would be safer and more durable.

[postal]

Not sure what you mean by mousing wire, but I've used some fairly heavy steel wire before to keep the binder handles closed. Works OK. I'd like to find the right kind of "clip" that would stay attached to the binder handle, then I could just snap or clip it to the chain.

[NZRFU]

Sorry 'bout the newb post, but . .

I see chains are becoming predominant. Is it in your experience to wrap chains around the axle (using one chain) to then bind to the opposite side of the trailer, or use two separate chains on either side of the axle and then bind?

OR Use chains to compress the suspension around some part of the frame?

Thanks and cheers . . .

***EDIT-Nevermind. Just read thoughts and opinions a coupla posts down in "How to bind . . " ***