[mbrink]

I have always used straps around the axles at all 4 corners to secure my jeep to the trailer. Now I read in the latest magazine that it is better to secure the rig by the frame. That sure would be a lot cleaner then crawling under a greasy dirty rig.

Your thoughts?

 

[35xj]

it seems as though if you ask 10 people this question, you'd get half and half. i've tried both, the jeep does seem more stable with the 4 corners of the jeep strapped down than just the axles. I guess it compresses the suspension a little, takes away the ability to sway.

 

[jaluhn]

The big problem I've heard of with hooking to the frame is that when you hit a bump, the suspension will compress, loosening the tie downs, then spring back and pull them tight again. Not only do you have the slackening and tightening working to pull things loose, but when that suspension unloads and pulls everything tight again, it's going to put a serious shock load on the tie downs. If you tight around the axles, you don't have that problem. It's especially signifiagnt when you have something with flexy springs like alot of these rigs do. I prefer to go around the axles, and usually do a criss cross with one binder on each leg. (4 total). But then, I also hate using straps instead of chains, and enough other people do it without any trouble, so mabey I'm just paranoid.
-John

 

[mr4x42u]

I run chain and binders to the rear axle and come alongs at the two front corners and it keeps sway down and don't move at all...

 

[SanDiegoCJ]

I tie down my CJ7 by the axles front and rear. I've noticed no swaying or bouncing.

 

[LazyDog]

I ran a tow truck for about 5 yrs and I was taught to always secure the vehicle at all four corners at the frame. AFAIK, this is the "industry standard" in the towing business, both outfits I worked for did it this way and every car made has "slots" in the frame to secure it at the corners.

I like you signature SanDiegoCJ

 

[DRM]

Industry standard really is useless when we are talking about trail vehicles we have purposefully designed to have LOTS of suspension flex - not only will it take a LOT to compress the suspension down, you will be prematurely wearing out yur suspension and have the problems mentioned above about straps loosening when you hit bumps.

I tie down to the axles and have never had a problem.

However, If you are having a "sway" problem, I would suggest some kind of ratchet strap with secure clip type attachments from the side of the trailer to each slider bar or somewhere similar on the side of the frame.

 

[sceep]

chain, axles.

never tie to the body because of the suspension compression mentioned above. suspension compresses, tie down comes unhooked.

If you have a body roll problem, chain down the axles and then run a ratches strap from the frame to the axles to prevent the roll.

 

[Eskimo]

Ideally, strap the axles down well, and then one strap on each side of the body to the trailer to prevent sway...

I had a trucker call me on the CB and tell me my rig was loose because of all the flopping around it does without the body restrained... I will start securing the body lightly... it was felt when entering a curve, trying to pull the tow rig around...

 

[TEX]

The big problem I've heard of with hooking to the frame is that when you hit a bump, the suspension will compress, loosening the tie downs

Ding Ding. That's the problem I've had in the past & it's why I chain to the axles now. Not saying it can't be done the other way, but for ME, this works better.

TEX

 

[Eskimo]

Ideally, strap the axles down well, and then one strap on each side of the body to the trailer to prevent sway...

I had a trucker call me on the CB and tell me my rig was loose because of all the flopping around it does without the body restrained... I will start securing the body lightly after strapping the axles down... it was felt when entering a curve, trying to pull the tow rig around...

 

[Dust Puppy]

the 1 time i had my rig on a trailer (soon to be ALL The time) we tied down the axles then ran from the trailer to the tow points front and rear (tj with d rings on each bumper) and put enough presure on it just to keeep it from moving all around. it worked really well and i plan on running it that way when i finnaly get a tow rig (hopefully in a few weeks)

 

[ncmog]

I'm sorry guys but if you try securing the frame and the straps came loose...you didn't tighten it down. I'm sorry but if I preload the suspension by securing the frame, some little bump in the road is simply not going to "unload" the strap. And "wearing out your suspension", what a load (pun intended). What the heck does the suspension do when you drive off road...compress and extend. Over and over and over...

Second, movement of your load during transit is NEVER a good thing. It can cause or aggrevate a trailer sway or bad handling condition.

Now to how you secure to the frame, try those nice D rings or other extraction points you should already have on your trail rig.

 

[Devil Dog]

ya you can chain down a car by using its frame.. since it doesnt flex.. like stated above.. most of our rigs flex far more than any industry standard..

with this in mind... i chain the rear axle down.. then use two straps on the front axle... i then binder the rear chain.. so everything is tight.. then.. ill hook the winch up and winch the jeep down.. compressing the suspension.. to keep it from bouncing around.. i have very minimal movement in any form from the jeep...

but i havent gone out and tried to test this setup.. (ie. getting into some horrendous accident).... but i feel safe with this setup..

i have test one setup.. we had a jeep on a car dollie.. for a short tow.. wheels strapped down.. and then winched the front down also.. the idiot driver jack knifed.. and the dollie broke loose sending the jeep/dollie into a roll through the medium.. and afterwards.. the only holding the jeep to the car dollie.. was the winch cable.. both of those tire straps had come loose or broke..

 

[ScottFJ40]

I've only had my towrig for a couple months, and am buying a trailer next month.

I borrowed a trailer from a buddy, and trailered my 40 to Rausch creek(2 hour trip). I used 50K lb. straps, strapped to the axles. I didn't compress the suspension at all. I noticed no sway or anything else detrimental.

I also read in the mag that you should strap to the frame. I don't believe everything I read though.

I certainly want to do this the safest way. I'm just wondering if this is a matter of preference, like the great manual vs. autu debate?

 

[ncmog]

Just take a look at what the car haulers do. They do this for a living whereas we only do it occasionally. You'll find them tied down by the frame with a compressed suspension.

I also don't buy the "we're too flexy" thing either and "it only works for cars". Personally I've had two Pinzgauers and now am running a Mog. None of which look like a car, and tie down by their frames quite well.

Now I don't see a problem with tying down the axles and using something else to compress the suspension. It achieves the same purpose. You just don't want the sprung weight of the trailed rig to move around.

 

[Eskimo]

I used 50K lb. straps, strapped to the axles. I didn't compress the suspension at all. I noticed no sway or anything else detrimental.

That's because your junk doesn't flex.. :flipoff2:

 

[LazyDog]

Interesting thread... As I stated earlier, I tie down to the frame, based on my experience as a tow driver. One thing is pretty clear, the frame is the strongest point on the rig to tie down to.

I've never had my straps come loose because the trailer hit a few bumps in the road, but I always make sure to compress the suspension a couple of inches when I tie my rig down.

I do find it hard to believe that this practice will prematurely wear out my springs. If so, I'd better upgrade my springs, because if they break down from being compressed on the trailer, they aren't gonna hold up on the trail at all
:flipoff2:

 

[ScottFJ40]

That's because your junk doesn't flex.. :flipoff2:

How dare you question my flexibility! :flipoff2:

 

[Devil Dog]

Just take a look at what the car haulers do. They do this for a living whereas we only do it occasionally. You'll find them tied down by the frame with a compressed suspension.

like i said.. not many cars flex upwards of 14"... ill stick to hooking up to my axles.. and compressing the suspension with the winch cable... the object here is to keep the vehicle on the trailer.. so... what you are saying is that... a vehicle will come off of the axles in an accident..... i doubt that.. and if it does happen.. im sure ill have other worries...