chains/binders vs. ratchet straps (re-visited) - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

yield2me · 09-01-2002, 09:12 PM

Up until a few months ago, I had 2 straps forming an X on the front axle as well as 2 on the rear axle. BUT, some FAWK head in Augusta GA felt he needed my front 2 straps more than I did and STOLE THEM OFF MY TRUCK!!! IT WAS STRAPPED DOWN ON THE FAWKING TRAILER!! Anyways, I ended up buying 5600# Binders, and borrowed a friends chains to get home.

Well, the other day I went and bought some chain, but am kinda confused on the best way to tie down the K5. I use the chains/binders on the front axle and the HUGE (12000 #) straps on the rear axle. I tighten the chains up as tight as I can, then with the ratchet straps, pull the truck back so they are tight as hell. What is the best way to secure this thing down? The way I described worked fine (just got back from a 240 mile trip), but there has to be a better way to get the chains tight. How are you guys who are only using binders get them tight?? I would rather use 1 chain/binder on each axle because those huge-ass straps are a pain in the ass to set up (oh yeah, those straps are used on the railroad to tie boxcars together when the knuckles break).

All ideas welcome!!

rob

smurfsdad · 09-02-2002, 07:27 AM

Why do you want it so tight ? They just need to be snug enough so it doesnt move.

SLO_Crawlers · 09-02-2002, 09:03 AM

I do the same but I have the chain on the rear axle and the strap in front. I don't use a binder because I can get it tight with the ratchet strap in the front. Works good so far. I put the chain in the back because I don't want my rig to run my truck over. Good luck.

Bill Collins · 09-02-2002, 01:21 PM

i also use chain and binders on both ends,but for a little added saftey i run my winch line around the front of the trailer and snug it up too...

Recurve · 09-02-2002, 06:01 PM

I put my rig on the trailer 6-8" behind my "mark". I put the chains on the BACK, criss-crossed, as tight as I can get them. Then I roll the rig forward, in neutral until it stops. Then I put the front straps on, criss-crossed. Put the rig back in neutral with the e-brake off and tighten the straps down until the chains are taught. E-brake back on and in low gear. 10 miles down the road I stop and retighten.

70~K5 · 09-02-2002, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Recurve
I put my rig on the trailer 6-8" behind my "mark". I put the chains on the BACK, criss-crossed, as tight as I can get them. Then I roll the rig forward, in neutral until it stops. Then I put the front straps on, criss-crossed. Put the rig back in neutral with the e-brake off and tighten the straps down until the chains are taught. E-brake back on and in low gear. 10 miles down the road I stop and retighten.

This isn't bad but I'd leave the trans in neutral. Don't need the wear in the trans.

Jaffer · 09-05-2002, 05:02 AM

I took this board's advice and went with chains in back (with a 10K lb. axel strap) and 10K lb. ratchet straps in front.
So far, so good...

A note on the chain though ...
Farmington is an oil field town so for chain I went to the big oil field service out fit here.
They had the standard bright dip galvanized chain on a spool (or barrel) in the front showroom but was shocked to learn that even the biggest of the chain had a less than 2K lb. rating!
They told me what I really needed was "transport chain".
Same size ... only it has an 8K lb. rating.
This is the stuff they use to tie drilling pipe and big compressors down with!
They sold them only in 20 ft. or longer lengths with hooks attached but I now have a new 12 foot tow/ hoist chain to spare beside the new sections for my trailer.

TEX · 09-05-2002, 01:59 PM

Two ways to get the chains good & tight.

One, put some MUSCLE into it, or lacking that, some leverage (3' pipe outta do it).

Two, ratcheting load binder.

BTW, tight is definitely important because it will keep the binders from popping open. You can also wrap something around them to avoid that. I usually just wrap the excess chain around the binders, or lacking that, clothesline works great (or a coat hanger in a pinch).

TEX

4x4extreme · 09-05-2002, 05:05 PM

Read what jaffer said

The law states when using chain it must be transport chain
just look at the hook it will have it stamped to the side

Dan shsss · 09-06-2002, 10:42 PM

Most important is to cross the chains like an x ,and dont be afraid to use a long bar to get the binders tight,,and zip ties work great for making sure the binders stay tight..

09-01-2002, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
yield2me Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3196 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 2,506	chains/binders vs. ratchet straps (re-visited) Up until a few months ago, I had 2 straps forming an X on the front axle as well as 2 on the rear axle. BUT, some FAWK head in Augusta GA felt he needed my front 2 straps more than I did and STOLE THEM OFF MY TRUCK!!! IT WAS STRAPPED DOWN ON THE FAWKING TRAILER!! Anyways, I ended up buying 5600# Binders, and borrowed a friends chains to get home. Well, the other day I went and bought some chain, but am kinda confused on the best way to tie down the K5. I use the chains/binders on the front axle and the HUGE (12000 #) straps on the rear axle. I tighten the chains up as tight as I can, then with the ratchet straps, pull the truck back so they are tight as hell. What is the best way to secure this thing down? The way I described worked fine (just got back from a 240 mile trip), but there has to be a better way to get the chains tight. How are you guys who are only using binders get them tight?? I would rather use 1 chain/binder on each axle because those huge-ass straps are a pain in the ass to set up (oh yeah, those straps are used on the railroad to tie boxcars together when the knuckles break). All ideas welcome!! rob __________________ Usnick Motorsports UTV #1999 FOA.com MJ Motorsports

09-02-2002, 07:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	Why do you want it so tight ? They just need to be snug enough so it doesnt move. __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

09-02-2002, 01:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bill Collins Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 163 Location: Village Mills, TX 77663 Posts: 2,629	i also use chain and binders on both ends,but for a little added saftey i run my winch line around the front of the trailer and snug it up too... __________________ 85 runner with some stuff...

09-05-2002, 01:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
TEX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 603 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 14,194	Two ways to get the chains good & tight. One, put some MUSCLE into it, or lacking that, some leverage (3' pipe outta do it). Two, ratcheting load binder. BTW, tight is definitely important because it will keep the binders from popping open. You can also wrap something around them to avoid that. I usually just wrap the excess chain around the binders, or lacking that, clothesline works great (or a coat hanger in a pinch). TEX __________________ www.probog.com Thanks to: www.heiseroil.com Extreme Performance www.kmelectronics.com Bear Creek Auto Recyclers www.svrehorsepower.com

09-05-2002, 05:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
4x4extreme Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4773 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,287	Read what jaffer said The law states when using chain it must be transport chain just look at the hook it will have it stamped to the side __________________ #36. If I wanted to drive a foreign 4x I would move to another country. [color=orange]80 cj 5 104" wb rockwell 16"kings 39.5 tsl[/color] AND 1995 Hummer H1 Wagon [SIZE="3"][url=http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhumvee4x4QQhtZ-1]buy my stuff[/url][/SIZE]

09-02-2002, 09:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
SLO_Crawlers Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9840 Location: Los Osos, Ca Posts: 243	I do the same but I have the chain on the rear axle and the strap in front. I don't use a binder because I can get it tight with the ratchet strap in the front. Works good so far. I put the chain in the back because I don't want my rig to run my truck over. Good luck.

09-02-2002, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Recurve Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3587 Location: Creedmoor, NC Posts: 370	I put my rig on the trailer 6-8" behind my "mark". I put the chains on the BACK, criss-crossed, as tight as I can get them. Then I roll the rig forward, in neutral until it stops. Then I put the front straps on, criss-crossed. Put the rig back in neutral with the e-brake off and tighten the straps down until the chains are taught. E-brake back on and in low gear. 10 miles down the road I stop and retighten.

09-05-2002, 05:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jaffer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2769 Location: Farmington NM Posts: 1,877	I took this board's advice and went with chains in back (with a 10K lb. axel strap) and 10K lb. ratchet straps in front. So far, so good... A note on the chain though ... Farmington is an oil field town so for chain I went to the big oil field service out fit here. They had the standard bright dip galvanized chain on a spool (or barrel) in the front showroom but was shocked to learn that even the biggest of the chain had a less than 2K lb. rating! They told me what I really needed was "transport chain". Same size ... only it has an 8K lb. rating. This is the stuff they use to tie drilling pipe and big compressors down with! They sold them only in 20 ft. or longer lengths with hooks attached but I now have a new 12 foot tow/ hoist chain to spare beside the new sections for my trailer.

09-06-2002, 10:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dan shsss Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13059 Location: san juan bautista Posts: 456	Most important is to cross the chains like an x ,and dont be afraid to use a long bar to get the binders tight,,and zip ties work great for making sure the binders stay tight..

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