Towing question

[Ralph A Powell]

When towing straps should be cris-crossed side to side both front and rear that way the towed car can not bounce side to side.

[Run to Rund]

My trailer D rings are secured with u bolts around the frame rails, so they are 6 feet apart, and set in front of and behind the mounting points on the frame. I made frame loops from Cumins engine lift straps that have about 1.5" holes in them and are bolted to the frame. I can attach ratchet straps quickly and get them reasonably tight.

[Dave Gantz]

Originally Posted by Ralph A Powell

When towing straps should be cris-crossed side to side both front and rear that way the towed car can not bounce side to side.

I've always done that, too. But then someone mentioned that if one strap breaks or loosens, the car can go sideways.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Ralph A Powell

When towing straps should be cris-crossed side to side both front and rear that way the towed car can not bounce side to side.

You really can't cross ratchet straps without them wearing and fraying against each other .
Need to have sleeves made that slip on or wrap around with velcro fasteners, for where they cross.
Still, it seems every time I stop, I've got to click the rear straps another notch.I think the longer they are , the more they stretch.
Thinking about going back to chains in the rear.

[Ralph A Powell]

I towed for years with straps crisscrossed an never had the wear problem.

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

You really can't cross ratchet straps without them wearing and fraying against each other .
Need to have sleeves made that slip on or wrap around with velcro fasteners, for where they cross.
Still, it seems every time I stop, I've got to click the rear straps another notch.I think the longer they are , the more they stretch.
Thinking about going back to chains in the rear.

[Eman]

Ever notice no one has a problem....until they do? I use 4 straps not crossed, all have safety style hooks fronts don't have ratchets only the back.
I have seen someone open the trailer door to find their car against one wall because 1 strap failed. OP is correct about the rough roads and the car bouncing. Slicks have a lot of give so for insurance I'll pump my tires up a little high before loading. If going any distance I'll stop and check my straps and tighten the ratchets. I used the D part of weld on D rings and welded them onto the car to tie down with.

[SGSST109E]

I cross the back straps and the fronts. I put the car in the trailer at running air pressure. I then add air to the slicks to a count of 15 to 20. The last thing is to snug the winch cable and I am done. Car has never moved. My typical tows are several hundred miles and my long ones are 1,000 to 1,500 miles.

[Greg West]

If you tie your car down at the rear axle housing, try touching your shocks on the car after towing for an hour or so. The shocks are very hot. I don't know how this affects the life of the shocks or their function but I don't think it can be a good thing.
Years ago several of us stocker guys with open trailers left Bowling Green for Indy together. I couldn't believe how much the race cars were bouncing on the trailers.
I often wondered why car trailers don't have shocks.

[Shaun Quill]

On my Camaro I use “t” hooks that hook in the side of the subframe and in the rear I drilled a hole in the bottom of the frame rail and use a miniature “J” hook. I drilled the hole probably a foot from the rear valance.I can hook it while standing up and it doesn’t budge going down the road.

[brett3533]

Have heard of door car using a chassis bladder under the front sub frame. after the car is fully strapped down then use place the bladder and pump it up to help keep it from bouncing in the front end I would think you have to be careful not to over load the bladder due to strap pressures could be hard on tie downs in trailer floor and frame of car.