Securing a UTV on a trailer

[bdog]

Is there anyway short of the wheel bonnets to keep one secure over rough roads?

We have a Yamaha rhino we transport on a 6x12 trailer. I welded four d rings in each corner of the trailer and use heavy duty 2" ratchet straps. Four of them, two in front and two in back at good angles going from the d rings to the rhino. I get them as tight as I can which compresses the suspension a bit. Driving on the highways it never comes loose however I haul this thing around 50 miles a day on rough oil field roads. The straps get completely loose and the other day one got so loose it fell off.

I am sure my problem is due to the large suspension travel of the machine as I never have this issue on other equipment in the same conditions. I am considering buying the wheel bonnets unless anyone has some other ideas. They are not cheap.

 

[bcp]

A couple of thoughts.

I wonder if the ratchet straps loosen due to the bouncing causing constant jerking against the rolled-up portion, making it wound up tighter, causing the strap to lengthen. Chain and binder may prevent that action.

Maybe use your ratchet straps to tie down to the wheels through the spokes. Much less motion going on to loosen the straps.

Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

You need to secure your straps to the 4 corners on the Suspension. Securing it to the chassis is never desirable on a vehicle with suspension. Things like tractors or Dozers is fine though.

I have snapped a 5/16 chain with a Suburban on a trailer. Suspension did its job with a dip in the road and the recoil broke a nearly new chain. Lesson learned!

Chris

Chris

 

[rmk700]

I've never really had a problem tying above suspension on my ATV's but my heavier SXS has been a pain. I've been breaking or cutting them. I picked up 4 of these side mount over tire straps and they stay tight and don't wear on the straps.



Side Mount Wheel Net w/ Ratchet and Flat Hook | USCargoControl

 

[bdog]

I've never really had a problem tying above suspension on my ATV's but my heavier SXS has been a pain. I've been breaking or cutting them. I picked up 4 of these side mount over tire straps and they stay tight and don't wear on the straps.



Side Mount Wheel Net w/ Ratchet and Flat Hook | USCargoControl

Thanks. Those are cheap enough and may do the trick. Like you I have not had problems with ATV's or anthything else. I tie down pickups, skid steers, backhoes, ATV's, etc on a regular basis and never have an issue but this rhino UTV is a pain. I think part of the problem is the suspension is stiff enough that you can't take enough slack out of it with the ratchet straps even though they are pretty darn right. When you hit the rough roads it starts bouncing.

The wheels on it won't allow running a strap through them.

 

[civilian]

when you tighten the rachet straps, try sitting on the utv corner that you are strapping down. your weight might put enough pressure on the suspension to allow a tighter tie down. just a thought. Jon

 

[rmk700]

The wheels on it won't allow running a strap through them.

These straps go over the tire, not through the wheel.

 

[bdog]

Yes the ones you linked to do and I will try them. I was referring to a previous post that said to try running the straps through the wheels.

As to sitting on the corner it helps some. Last time we strapped it down I had a guy get in the bed and jump up and down as two guys tightened the rear straps. It definitely helped but did not totally solve the problem.

 

[4570Man]

I have never had any trouble with my Mule. I have watched a buddy put blocks under his Ranger before tying it down. I guess that makes sense because his ranger has way more travel than my mule does. My Mule is on stock suspension, and he probably spend more on his suspension than my whole Mule is worth.

 

[bdog]

We have two kubota RTV's and have no issues with them coming loose. Definitely think it is due to the suspension travel.

 

[crreed67]

This?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Wheel bonnets are worth the hassle, even the over the wheel with a single ratchet is worth upgrading. fighting the suspension is always going to be a losing battle not to mention having to replace worn out springs sooner.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I haul my Kawasaki TansMule, I run one strap over the front axle unit part of the frame. Then I run the other strap over the floor boards in front of the seat. I feel the second strap compresses the suspension enough to stop it from bouncing around on its own when being towed. My fear is that if the body can bounce and bend, it's more likely to pull free.

 

[Diamondpilot]

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=473705"/> This?

That's the new auto-tighten system!

Chris

 

[sparc]

I've never really had a problem tying above suspension on my ATV's but my heavier SXS has been a pain. I've been breaking or cutting them. I picked up 4 of these side mount over tire straps and they stay tight and don't wear on the straps.



Side Mount Wheel Net w/ Ratchet and Flat Hook | USCargoControl

What keeps the loop from slipping up and over the top of the tire?

 

[Diamondpilot]

What keeps the loop from slipping up and over the top of the tire?

Nothing is needed. They just snug down.

Chris

 

[bdog]

I ordered the straps from us cargo control but have not received them yet. I have seen this style used by car haulers. The loop cinches the tire as it is tightened and it is pulling down so I don't think it can slip off the top.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I ordered the straps from us cargo control but have not received them yet. I have seen this style used by car haulers. The loop cinches the tire as it is tightened and it is pulling down so I don't think it can slip off the top.

be careful if your straps get really muddy often, they can tend to slip a bit if you dont have a full wrap on the ratchet drum.

 

[bigtiller]

Is it enough to keep the vehicle from rolling front to back? It looks like a lot of sideways tension when in stop & go traffic. I ask because I just don't know.

 

[crazyal]

I use to have the same problem but didn't want to spend the money for the over the tire straps. I have a 2" receiver on the front and back of my side by side. The hooks from the ratchet straps will go into the holes for the draw bar pin. To get them in and out you have to twist them in an odd way. Because of this they can't come out if they loosen up. On the trailer side I just use shackles through the loop on the hook and the D-ring. Now I don't need to crank it down trying to compress the springs enough not to loose a strap. I use good quality 1" straps. I don't think I could get the hooks of a larger strap into the holes on the receiver.