Securing your Jeep on a trailer.

When I bought my first Jeep I borrowed a friend’s flat bed truck. His instructions for securing the jeep were to use 4 axle straps and 4 ratchet straps in an X fashion.

Right front D-ring to Left rear axle
Left front D-ring to Right rear axle
Right rear D-ring to Left front axle
Left rear D-ring to Right front axle

I have used this method for awhile but lately have been using only 2 axles and 2 ratchet straps in an X fashion. All straps are 10,000 web strength and 3,300 load strength.

In my travels I have seen others use different securing procedures and I would like to hear from the many that haul their Jeeps on a trailer, what they feel is the safest way of securing their Jeep? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I use 4 10K lb axle straps.

RF to RF D ring
LF to LF D ring
RR to LR D ring
LR to RR D ring

So the fronts are connected straight ahead to the D-ring.
The rears act as a spring like mouring a ship.

Edit: As for strength, a friend of mine acidently drove his showhauler (converted Freightliner) up the trailer on the way to Moab last year. It was a slow speed colission and no damage was done to my trailer or Jeep other then a broken axle strap. His grill actually hit the jeep and did a good amount of damage to the front of his truck. The strap broke because a piece of metal under his truck hit the ratchet. The Jeep did not shift its positiono n the trailer during this event. So I am happy with the way I strap it down..

 

Corner to corner for me. Jeep isn't heavy enought to worry about crossing the straps.

I do recommend axle straps. Too many issues with frame/bumper/or body restraints.

just my .02

 

I just use ratchet straps around the axles.
1 on each end.
I also loop a chain around the front for a just in case.
Used to X tie but have gotten lazy in my older years.

 

Just my two cents, but when I drove for a towing company, I went to Tow School, and was instructed to NOT cross your straps as many people do. Their reasoning for this was the fact that if you have 10,000# straps for example, their rating is in a straight line. If you are in a collision and they are pulled at an angle, they are not as effective. The other theory behind this is that although your Jeep may only weigh about 2700 lbs, the G-forces incurred if you were to hit something at say 65 MPH would in effect multiply that weight many times thereby placing much more stress on your straps.

Another scary thing I've seen is guys tying a vehicle to their trailer using just the trailer winch and a couple tie downs in the back. Sorry to get technical, but I just thought I would pass along the info I was taught. I'd hate to see someone lose their rig off their trailer.

I remember a guy flipping his truck and trailer with a 69 Impala on the back. The car was totalled, but still firmly attached to the trailer!R)

 

Transport grade chain and binders at all corners, overkill maybe, but I personally don't want to have a jeep sticking half out of my arse , in case of a headon collison.

 

Curt, good advice!

http://www.mrproducts.com/tips.html

http://store.yahoo.net/wescoperformance/tiedowns.html
scroll down for instructions.

 

Anyone have any idea how 4 lock chocks (the ones that sandwich tires and tie together so they don't spread) and 4 tire straps would work? That would mimic he way a tow dolly is set up. ..

 

i dont trailer (yet) but my buddy does, and i have bugged him in the past about his preference. he said he tried frame to trailer and axle to trailer. he said he prefered axle to trailer as frame to trailer had to much bounce and the straps tended to losen off.

 

I set my trailer up for tire straps. I also hook up a length of chain with axle straps on the rear axle in case of a sudden stop. It is very solid once strapped down, and the Jeep simply doesn't move in relation to the trailer.
It does make for a quick load/unload too.

 

If you drive through NY, you can't use straps anymore on an open trailer.
Only chains, 4 of 'em, and they have to be the galvanized type. New law.

 

I use 5/16" grade 70 (transport) chain ONLY. I chain the frame to the trailer. to avoid the "bouncing", you must use a binder(s) on each chain. I used an 'x' pattern for awhile and now I use a 'straight' pattern. IF you only use 1 binder to hold your jeep, use it in the front and take up all the slack by driving your jeep with the chain attached to it.

 

I use two transport chains and binders in the back and two straps in the front. Crisscross the x pattern.. this helps while towing into the dirt on the way to the campsite, cuts out any side movement. Makes sense about whats been said about the strength when they're straight opposed to x-cross though. I figure the chain in the back will help in the event of sudden stops or getting rearended. Just hook to axle ,not the bumper! and keep an eye out for the brakelines.

 

Whats the scuttlebutt on simply using a couple of come-a-longs attached to straps around the axle and D ring?

 

I use 3/8 chain and a ratchet binder looped over the rear end. In front its just a ratchet strap on each side. I prefer the piece of mind that chain gives me if I should ever get into an accident.