[gaspeddler1]

I plan on using a 18 foot car hauler to transport a show car and was wondering if you guys that have hauled cars have found it best to secure the car with straps to the body (loops) or below the suspension (a-frames/rear axle). Securing below the suspension (rear axle/a frames) seems to be the option I'm leaning towards since there is less movement than strapping to frame loops that are subject to movement as the suspension reacts to bumps in the road. Yet when these cars were transported from the factory my guess is they used those frame loops to secure them to the transport. This appears to be one of those topics where there is support for both methods around the web, so I thought I would ask here. I plan to haul short distances under 100 miles as well as longer distances 300+ miles. The trailer has recessed D rings at all four corners. Thanks in advance.

 

[bugman]

If you want it to stay tied down you need to do it below the suspension. If you tie it down above it and the car starts to bounce there is a possibility of it coming unhooked and you don't want that.

 

[Steve83]

Tying the tires to the trailer allows the body to bounce, which can become a problem. Tying the frame makes the towed load more rigid & controlled. It doesn't take much extra effort to ensure that it's tied tight enough to prevent it coming loose on bumps. Mine never have.

 

[Texkenusmc]

I tie to the frame on all four corners of the vehicle and have never had one come loss. I have hauled a few across the country.

 

[LMJD]

I tie to the frame on all four corners of the vehicle and have never had one come loss. I have hauled a few across the country.

Right, I drove a lo-boy for a 3 year period full time, hauled everything from dozers, graders to 10 wheel dump trucks, sprung and unsprung equipment. Chaining down either way works just fine.
On a more humorous note, I hauled in a dump truck with something wrong with the air system, pulled up close to the shop so I could run an air hose out to air up the tanks, know-it-all boss came out, said no need for that, got in, tried to over-ride the spring brakes, put it in reverse and twisted the driveshaft up like a pretzel---the applause from us guys was deafening, good old times!

 

[gaspeddler1]

Can you guys recommend a good set of straps? Brand, width, material that they should be made of that's best, weight rating, supplier? I'm transporting a 3500 pound Camaro.

Thanks !

 

[bugman]

Depending on where you can attach a strap will decide what kind of strap or chain that is needed to handle your load. I like ratchet straps with a piece of chain that attaches to the vehicle. If you just use the ratchet strap you run the risk of cutting into the material allowing it to fail over time. You'll need at least 1 tie down for each corner of the vehicle.

A fairly cheap place to pick up tie downs on line is Northern Tools. Also if you have a NAPA store near you they usually carry tie downs also but might be quite a bit more expensive. As for the size I would get each strap that can handle twice the weight of the vehicle that you are going to haul.

 

[gaspeddler1]

Thanks for the info, I've decided to go
with these straps. Yes they are a little overkill but I'll be more at ease knowing that. Here is a pic of the hauler and the tie down points as well.

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towin...ort-Wide-Ratchet-Strap-W-Axle-Strap-10-000Lbs