Rear tie down suggestions?

[bball7754]

Like Kit Kat, I'm also a trailer newbie. My original plan was to run my straps through the wheels and attach the tie downs that way. Problem is, I can't fit the d-rings on the straps through my 13" mini lites.

 

Front is pretty straight forward - use the A-arms. But the rear is not as clear. Thought I would use the Dedion tube on my Caterham, but the brake lines are right where I would run the straps. Not real comfortable strapping over the brake lines. Currently I'm using the rear most attachment point of the A-frame.

 

So, are there other Caterham owners out there strapping the back down and not using the wheels? If so, where/how are you strapping down the back?

 

Thanks.

 

Steve

[ihckb2]

Steve

 

My brother had a Morgan which he trailered from east to west and used tire straps to hold the rear down. We also used this trailer as a pick up trailer for the Morgan over America tour, which was used many times.

 

I have also had to have my 7 flatbeded 2 times now and the operator both times would not tie to anything in the rear except by using tire tie downs.

The type my brother had was a formed basket out of webbing that went over the top of the tire and down about a third of the way holding the tire in a up-side-down basket. Then one end is fixed and the other had a typical ratchet. The tow truck ones were an adjustable type with a short piece of webbing with a loop in each end and the main strap thread through the loops. The unit was then place over the tire with the main web in the back and the loop piece in the front of the tire. Adjust the webbings so that the unit is about a third of the way down the tire and then fasten the main webbing to your fix points on the trailer. Same thing one fixed point one rachet. This type will fit any size tire. The basket type might be available in different sizes. Check with a tow truck guy and he will probably be able to show you what they look like and how to set them up. These would also work on the front saving wear and tear on the paint. I still would use at least one front tie to put tension on the car to keep it from rocking back and forth. Use the emergency brake so the transmission isn't taking a beating.

 

Glen

[Kitcat]

Steve, same issue here. I don't like to use A arms, so I use the center point of the rear A- frame for BOTH rear tie downs, and crisscross the straps. In other words, both straps are hooked around the same spot at the rear of the car. It's probably not ideal, but it works.

 

Other trailer thots. Get a spare tire/wheel for the trailer and a lug wrench/socket for that lug size. Check air pressures (mine were 14 & 50 lbs on one side, 37 & 28 on the other -I guess the dealer thot if total pressure was the same, per side, it was all good).

 

Make sure hitch is hitched, even tho mine was, and safety pin was in place, I hit a huge bump and it off it came-turns out I had somehow clipped it in place on top of the ball, not below. Impossible? Apparently not. Fortunately it just made huge noise, trailer bounced violently, I stopped, saw problem (bump had knocked safety pin 1/2 way out), and re-hitched. So now I do a short, but sharp start-stop after hitching to see if there are hitch issues.

Edited August 8, 2011 by Kitcat

[blubarisax]

Perhaps something like this would work. Glad your trailer was OK.

 

 

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/204/WheelNets

[jimrankin]

Problem with wheel nets is they need to have anchor points just far enough ahead and behind to get the angles right. Too close and the car rocks, too far away and the don't "cup" over the tire right. If you are setting up your trailer with tie down points where you want them then the net are really a great and the easiest way to go.

I have always used rachet straps and never had a problem (other than dirty shirt backs from laying on trailer floors to get up under the cars LOL.) Just one comment about straps, spend the money on the "back" set as unless your driving a really powerfull tow car the only heavy stress will be from emergency stops. If your really going to do a lot of trailering spend the money on having attachment loops welded on to the frame. I was lucky enough on my Jag to have two round holes in the frame that I couldn't get a strap or the clip on the strap into but had two "S" hooks bent up that slipped right into them.

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

I've had good luck with lasso straps:

 

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towing-Auto-Hauling/Wheel-Nets-Auto-Car-Tie-Downs/Lasso-Strap-2x10-with-O-Ring

 

Just watch out for the valve stem!

Edited August 9, 2011 by TheDingo8MyBaby