Ratcheting tie downs BROKE in transit!

[Nasty135]

Wow , These stories are very enlightening, Glad all worked out without harm!

One of the things that I have always thought of is that fabric IE: nylon material that is used for straps usually has a life exspectancy, I was given this information by the flight line people at Andrews AFB in MD. The straps they use to tie down the big C-141"s so they won't blow away in the wind and are changed out on regular intervals. I don't know how often that is? But also if they are allowed to get dirty and wet often that would accelerate the deteriation factor due to grit acting like glass slowing chewing on strap. Just a thought for those who may be continue to use straps to keep them clean and dry.

This not to start a Chain VS. Strap debate /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Dargo, just out of curiosity do you have a link to your ebay auction? </font>

Could this be it??? <font color="blue"> </font>

I got curious a couple days ago...or was it yesterday... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Anyway, I thought the above linked listing might be Dargo's listing... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just a guess though... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[johnday]

Brent; After you PMed me, I went and ordered 4 16' grade 70 chains with the grab hooks, and 2 ratcheting binders. Made in the Motherland ofcourse. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifI'ved used straps for years, but for $260, I do feel better. I explained to Jan, my better 2/3 what happened, and she said order them! It's nice when your wife is safety conscience too. Now if everone on the road was 1/2 as concerned........

 

[Dargo]

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Henro busted me. See, I wasn't kidding about changing all of my equipment to be of proper size, was I? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Although it clearly wasn't my trailer that was defective, I've flat outgrown it, and I'm determined not to take that ride again!

I had one guy email me a question from eBay on the trailer and ask if it has ever been wrecked. I wonder what he thought when I replied "no, but very close once". /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Or, now that I think about it, was it one of you guys giving me a hard time? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dargo]

johnday, sounds like you don't intend to take the ride I took. I'd think you should be safe and not a hazard to yourself and others like I was. Boy was I lucky.

Henro, if you look closely at the picture in the auction that I took of the underside of my trailer, you can see that one tire is really new on the right rear of the trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif If you recall, I mentioned that I blew that tire when the trailer was sliding sideways down the highway. I just noticed in the pictures that you can clearly see that I just replaced that tire. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif My spare tire now has about 20 miles on it too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BRAVO_WHISKEY]

Dargo,
Congrats on the quick sale of your trailer! Good to see that the upgrading of your trailering equipment is working out. Keep us posted on your new trailer when you get it.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Although it clearly wasn't my trailer that was defective, I've flat outgrown it, and I'm determined not to take that ride again! )</font>
I've posted to this thread already, but I wanted to thank you again, and the timing was good as I am purchasing a new trailer tomorrow. I had considered getting straps and some chains, but I'm going with all 70 grade chain and ratcheting boomers (4). I know that's no guarantee either, but probably better than the straps in the long run. Thanks again for posting your harrowing experience. John

 

[Boomerang1]

I've logged close to 2 million miles driving an 18 wheeler. I use nylon straps on flat loads & grade 70 chain on equipment. When I haul my 4,300 lb. DX33, I use 1 grade 70 3/8 chain on each end. I thread a chain through a clevis on the front of tractor & do the same on the rear. Using 1 chain on each end makes sure you have an equal pull on both sides. I put tractor in neutral when tightening chains with binders, then lower attachments or implements and then put tractor in gear. Make sure chains have an angle in all directions. DOT regulation on commercial loads - 1 tie down every 10'. I've hauled my corvette & many other vehicles on & in trailers. I've always hooked to the frame to avoid bounce, never to the suspension. When a load bounces, it put enormous stress on a tie down or attaching point. Some light weight trailers will flex, causing slack in chains & straps. Take a look at an 18 wheeler car hauler sometime & notice the special hooks used on the vehicle frames. They hook into small oval holes in brackets which are welded to the vehicle frames. The hooks can be purchased at most good autobody supply stores.

 

[Darren]

No matter how well you tie something down you can still get in a situation where the trailer starts steering the tow vehicle. For the small single, dual and triple axle trailers, there's a damper that connects to the tow hitch and the side of the trailer tongue. It still allows the "flex" needed for turns but it stops the side to side whipping that can be caused by a stretch of bad road, loss of or no brakes, and a tire blowout.

I had a trailer that was almost uncontrollable because of the axle positioning. With the damper I never had a problem.

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> DOT regulation on commercial loads - 1 tie down every 10'. </font>

With a minimum of 2 for ten feet or less of a load. Gerard