I have to transport a BMW convertable on a flatbed trailer in a few weeks for a family member. Does anyone know the best method to attach the BMW 3 series to the trailer? I did not see any tie down hooks under the car. I'd hate to do it wrong and have to tell Mom "Oops!"
when i have flatbedded cars that don't have a straight front axle to use as a strap-down point, i use a strong web-mesh tie-down that fits over the tires and cinches down tight. Then i 4x4" chock the tires in the back.
I don't know if this is the approved method or not, but I always had a full trailer when I got back home.
Most BMW's have T slots for flatbed transportation. The T slots are underneath the 4 plastic jack pads which must be removed to access them.
Since the T slots are ordinarily used with chains, they wouldn't be my first choice. "Basket Straps" are the preferred method of securing high line cars. They secure each wheel and allow the vehicle to ride on its own suspension. You can find them at www.awdirect.com
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
use an axle strap and loop it around the lower A-arm(s)...
I just towed a 3 series convert. from houston to virginia
and back in january i towed an AC Cobra Replica
from Connecticut to Houston using axle straps.
Also remember that to be legal, a vehicle must have 4 seperate points of tiedown which prevent the vehicle from moving either forward or back or side to side.
Be careful copying the methods you see tow truck operators use, as many are not using legal tiedowns, but simply the quickest method.
I.E. using the winch as a front tie down and one chain in the rear is definitely NOT a legal tiedown. That scenario is 3 chains short of legal. All it takes is one connection to break or come loose, and the vehicle can come off the truck.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
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... a vehicle must have 4 seperate points of tiedown which prevent the vehicle from moving either forward or back or side to side. ...
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so, does cinching a web-strap on each of the 4 wheels qualify ?
although i suppose regulations on this might vary from state to state also, as things so often do
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... a vehicle must have 4 seperate points of tiedown which prevent the vehicle from moving either forward or back or side to side. ...
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so, does cinching a web-strap on each of the 4 wheels qualify ?
although i suppose regulations on this might vary from state to state also, as things so often do
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Yes it does. Legal tiedowns are part of Federal transportation laws, not state laws.
The wheel straps are actually safer than chains to the frame / body. If you do not compress the suspension with chains, on bumps the suspension will compress and chains can come loose. Whereas wheel straps are not affected by suspension movement.
You do not generally see the wheel straps used because chains are cheaper and more durable (when was the last time you saw a chain wear out?)
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
You do not generally see the wheel straps used because chains are cheaper and more durable (when was the last time you saw a chain wear out?)
Chains do wear out. Guess you have never seen a chain that has been stretched and wear spots in the ends of the links. If you are inspected by the DOT and they see this you will not move until you correct the situation, as in buying new chain or other suitable method of securement of the load.
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99 (8/98) F350 XLT CC LWB SRW 4X4 6spd ZF, Hide-a-ball Gooseneck Hitch, Line-X Bed Liner, Custom Running Boards & Camper Tiedowns, 11.5 ft Caribou by Fleetwood Camper, 24 ft Haulmark Elite 10,000 lb Car Hauler, Superchips Tuner, Toyo 305/70R16 Tires on Weld Typhoon's, Bushwacker Fender Flares
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I have to transport a BMW convertable on a flatbed trailer in a few weeks for a family member. Does anyone know the best method to attach the BMW 3 series to the trailer? I did not see any tie down hooks under the car. I'd hate to do it wrong and have to tell Mom "Oops!"
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Check the manual. and in the tool kit it has the things.
That's a good idea, and I had already checked there. The manual does not cover tiedowns, only suggests you use a rollback towtruck if possible. The threaded ring in the tool kit is used for pulling the car, not strapping it to a trailer.
It appears the tire baskets work best if you can strap them straight down to the trailer bed, right in front and behind the tire. That is not likely going to work on my borrowed flatbed gooseneck. I will check further on the A arms to each wheel with conventional straps.
On my 85 Fiero GT I used axle straps and secured them to the control arms front and back. I then towed it from California to New Jersey without any problems of them loosening or otherwise. I also criss crossed the straps that go from the axle straps to the D rings on the bed of the trailer.
When towing my Cadillac ambulance once the same way excpet the axle straps in the back around the axles I had one of the hooks go through the bottom of the gas tank [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]. Now when I tow the Cadillac ambulance I wrap the axle straps around the frame in the back and tighten it down as much as possible.
__________________ 1991 Ford PL Custom Ambulance Type III 7.3L Diesel. Photo Here Pioneer AM/FM/XM/CD Stereo. Code 3 lightbar, Whelen Strobes and flasher lights. Whelen flood lights on front, rear and sides. There bright enough to turn darkness into daylight. Siren with several tones plus electronic airhorn and PA. Custom 3" exhaust from manifolds back with a Gibson Superflow Muffler [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. Dual alternators and dual sets of batteries. If I need a jumpstart all I do is push a button. On spot tire chains that install and de-install themselves at the flip of a switch. Also has air compressor on board along with suction unit and O2 system.
1972 Cadillac Hightop Ambulance by Superior Lucky if I get 10MPG
When I was transporting cars what I would do is take the 14 inch axle straps that any trailer store sells and run those through the lower control arm since those are not a solid peice across and have a hole in the middle of them or just find any good spot on the front suspension to hook it up to that wont break when you rachet the tie-down.
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03 7.3 EXT. cab 4x4 Powered by No Limit Diesel Performance, Trucks By Buck. DIY Tymar, IDMed, 5" Hypermax 3.5"DP, Autometer gauges, DP Tuner 6 pos. stock/40/80/100/140/High Idle, heater plug delete, BTS Valve Body a must for those of you who cant afford a BTS tranny yet, WW, and the Zoodad MOD.
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You do not generally see the wheel straps used because chains are cheaper and more durable (when was the last time you saw a chain wear out?)
Chains do wear out. Guess you have never seen a chain that has been stretched and wear spots in the ends of the links. If you are inspected by the DOT and they see this you will not move until you correct the situation, as in buying new chain or other suitable method of securement of the load.
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LOL, OK. When was the last time you saw a chain wear out QUICKLY..... I was thinking more of Towing safety chains, freight tiedown chains are probably used a lot more and have more tension on them.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
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