Stacker Trailer Question
 

A question for you gentleman that tow with a stacker across our horrendous roads. How much clearance do you need between the roof of the car and roof of the trailer? Best tie down options? I have seen the posts of cars getting loose in the trailers.
Thanks for any input.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

I see that no one has answered your question yet. I have never owned a stacker but I can tell some stories from some friends. A friend had his girlfriends car on top because she didn't want to drive back home and when he got home the roof was caved in. He thought it had plenty of room. You have to think about what's going on in that trailer when it's bouncing down the road. The car is not the only thing that has to be tied down. The lift can bounce too if not tied down.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

I can tell you what doesn't work. 4 inches is not enough clearance in mine. I have found no commercially available tie downs that don't slide. My 30 year old ones work best.
They seem to be made out of a material that has a higher coefficient of friction, I don't use dollar store tie downs. Without mentioning brands. I have two of the best brands and they still slide. Cross straps or straight seem to make no difference. That top car is moving around a lot. The best advice I have gotten is have at least 3 turns of material on the strap and check it every time you stop. I use 4 straps on the top car. That helps a lot.
I am thinking of having custom non adjustable one made for the rear. I put a lot of miles on my stuff on some really bad roads. I haven't had one come loose, but My car has some scars from close calls.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Give me a call tomorrow and I will share my seven years of experience with stacker. Have hauled SS\AH, stocker Camaro, COPO, and Cobra jets.
All have their own issues when on the lift.
You can try me at 716 five 5 three zero 9 89. Best after 3pm east coast
Bill Kraft

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Turnbuckles and chains don't stretch .

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

My rule of thumb is about 8 inches.
If you tie the car down in the back by the frame rather than the rear end housing it helps a lot.

The biggest problem I've encountered is the car on top wants to move sideways.
I chock the front AND rear wheels to prevent this.

Hope this helps

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Combined with Larry’s approach after his Dumbo experience I’ve never seen a better response to a request for info, apparently SSDiv6 doesn’t use a stacker or it could have even scored higher. If Ed Wright (RIP) could have responded it would have been perfect.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Mikey, I get your concern and methodology.
I just never liked compressing expensive racing springs for days or weeks at a time.
You know the new car transporters chain the frame and crank them way down for clearance and stability. May be okay for your new car, on a one time basis ;-)
I think maybe crossed straps on the housing and then maybe snap on a couple of safety hooked chain to limit any upward movement..Just a thought..

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Mark first I've got to tell you I don't really care for "Mikey".

I always cross strap all cars. The cuda has traveled close to 400,000 miles tied down as I described and my dusters probably half again as much.... but I bow to your experience.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Okay then.

Just my opinion :-)

Should have mentioned, I cross my straps too, in some applications. I had MJ make me some vinyl wrap- around velcro sleeves to keep the straps from wearing against each other.
Marky ;-)

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Friend of mine, OCD dirt track racer, uses blocks under his chassis and then ties it down.
Next step for him is to tie down the rack that the car is sitting on. Yours may be better but he claims his moved more than the car.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

Mike Graham I just drove across I40 in AZ yesterday with my trailer. I don't know how your car is still in one piece. NM and CA are not any better. TX roads were better but no state knows how to lay pavement at the ingress and egress to a bridge. I swear my trailer had all six tires off the ground.

Re: Stacker Trailer Question
 

The race car we carry on top. On the rear we use two non adjustable straps that surround and cross the center section. If the car is not straight on the lift one of the rear straps will be loose when the front is pulled forward and down. You have two choices re position the car or stop 20 miles down the road and re tighten the front straps. Due to the crown in the road the car always slides down hill, curbside. On the front I use four straps, two straps crossed tied to the Kmember and two lighter safety straps going to two 7/16 eye bolts to limit front suspension travel. After everything is tight we recheck at 50,75,100 miles until lit stops moving around. In the morning when tire pressure is lower retighten the straps.

If you want to limit upward movement turn buckles and pined blocks work. Also we strap down the lift at all four corners.
Try to carry a spare strap for every position.