Securing The Car to the Trailer

[RKHiPerformance]

What do you guys think is the best way to secure a car to an open trailer? I've been told that tying the car to the trailer via the car's frame or axle and compressing the car's suspension so it cannot move while under way is the best route.
But I've also been told that compressing the suspension can cause damage to the car's suspension because it cannot react in response to road irregularities, and that the best method is to secure the car to the trailer by the car's wheels. Any thoughts?
And do you guys tip on take-out orders?

Thanks,
Rick

[TheMonkey]

.... I've been told that tying the car to the trailer via the car's frame or axle and compressing the car's suspension so it cannot move while under way is the best route....

tying to the axle would not compress it though?

i think you'll hear different opinions. i asked a similar question on another forum and the general consensus was that people tie to rear axle in back and lower control arms in front. but, some people that were concerned with their racing shocks were coming up with ways to secure the frame rigid against the trailer without compressing, or allowing movement.

takeout tips, yes, although sometimes call an audible.

[zbugger]

Most of what I've heard is to safety chain to the frame, but I've heard most racers strap to the axles. According to them, the suspension was designed to move anyway. If possible, the best way is to strap the wheels down. Then again, it's all up to you and what you feel is comfortable, really.

[MrQuick]

The last thing you want to do is to secure at the body. The car has a lot of force going over bumps and such and it will redesign the body if you strap there.

Best spots are axles and frame hook holes. Use proper axle loop straps and protective liners to keep the straps from tearing.

Also remember to scriss cross the straps for optimum hold.

[Chad-1stGen]

I'll also say that trying to compress the susension or hooking just to the frame is asking for trouble. You wan't the car's suspension to be able to absorb the impact of bumps and whatever else.

Most rentable auto transport trailers have a provision to secure the front wheels and a chain to go around the rear axle to keep vehicles in place.

[bretcopsey]

Aren't most vehicles produced with some sort of tie down provisions in the frame though? for shipping purposes...

[ProdigyCustoms]

I always have tied to the lower control arms up front and around the rear axle out back. This way your tying the tires to the trailer and letting the body ride on the suspension. I hate the idea of shakling down the car down by the chassis.

[ViperBlue68]

I used to use the frame holes until a tow truck driver guy told me the best way was at the wheels I figured he knew what he was talking about because he did it daily for the past 15-20 years...seems to work fine so far

[David Pozzi]

I welded rings to the spring perches on the rear and tie in an X pattern, and pull to the rear quite bit which insures a good F/R pull, not straight down.

On the front the A arm is a very good point, often I just wrap a short padded ring strap around the front anti-roll bar and tie from that. I don't X the straps then, it just doesn't work well on my setup. Not the best but it works fine for me. When I can, I have tied to the factory tie down slots in the frame up front and gone across the country 3 or 4 times that way. If you tie to the frame, the car jerks on the straps more and on a downward bounce the straps can have some slack in them and even unhook if the frame end is not very securely held in place.

The trailer has it's own suspension, so the car isn't riding that rough. I have read in magazine articles about concerns of damage or wear of shocks by letting the car move on it's suspension via tying down by the axle/A arms. Some say to tie it down pulling the frame down onto blocks. But I haven't seen anyone do this.

[parsonsj]

I'm no expert (nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night).

I welded D-rings into II Much's frame behind the rear tires and behind the front tires. I X the back, and not the front. The front rings pull forward, and the rear rings pull down (loading the rear suspension more than the front). I've hauled the car thousands of miles that way with no issues.

I'm with David that the trailer suspension is designed to take most of the road abuse, so I don't know how important loaded suspension vs unloaded suspension actually is. One thought is that you don't want to ratchet the suspension down so that the shocks bottom out (especially if you don't have bump stops). Obviously, keeping the car secure is the most important thing.

jp

[Chad-1stGen]

I've only used rented trailers and their suspension just plain sucks...

[Damn True]

I'm in agreement with David and JP.

...and if I have to place my order at a counter or carry my own food I do not tip.

[vintageracer]

I find it interesting that the concensus among individuals is to strap the car to the A arms and rear axle when EVERY commercial car hauler hauling new and used cars ties the strap or chain to the frame. The commercial car hauler (portable parking lot) usually uses a fitting that twist's into OR hooks to the fame at a point designed by the manufacturer for just such use.

I tie cars on my 1 and 2 car trailer to the rearend and lower control arms as do many as listed above.

Since the OE manufactuers have designed their cars to be transported by rail/truck, the trailers (portable parking lots) are manufactured specifically for the purpose of transporting vehicles AND the fact that the commercial car haulers haul FAR MORE CARS than all of us put togther and do so FOR PROFIT, could it be that they know a little more about hauling/transporting a car than we do????

[Damn True]

Good point. But do you tip on take-out orders?

[Chad-1stGen]

I always feel a tad uncomfortable but the logical side of me prohibits from tipping on take out orders...

I think tips are out of control in the US. Tips are supposed to be for good service and if I don't get good service I don't tip.

[parsonsj]

I find it interesting that the concensus among individuals is to strap the car to the A arms and rear axle

There were a couple exceptions ...

I don't tip on takeout. I do tip the pizza guy (how will those guys from Ohio State make a living otherwise? ).

jp

[RaceMan]

I've trailered alot of race cars and we'ved moved some very expensive cars for some people, we did both the frame and axels or tires , my father towed his nice durango and didn't tie the body down at all and it bounced up and dented the roof alittle(had a lift above it with room)
We always feel safer with both.

[68sixspeed]

I cross tie the rear end by the axels, and then the front by the lower a-frames. Years ago a stock car I was working on was tied by the chassis and compressed (thinking of saving the shocks.) and the car was moved over against the side of the enclosed trailer by the time we got to the track. Not cool... I guess if you are worried about too much suspension movement, they sell an air bag setup to go under the car and support it in transit- I've seen drag guys use it to save their soft suspensions. I think it is listed in National Dragster for sale.

[BRIAN]

I tie down looping through the wheels. This way the suspension isn't in a bind. I bought 2 straps with the loops built in and 2 without. Not too many solid wheel designs besides Centerlines so it should work on just about any A/M wheel equipped car.

Trailers bounce around a lot and so does the car on them.


Look in Hemmings I can't think of the place but they also sell specific tire straps that go across the tops of the tires like most flatbeds use on high end exotics. No scratches on anything, no complaints.

[TheMonkey]

....
Look in Hemmings I can't think of the place but they also sell specific tire straps that go across the tops of the tires like most flatbeds use on high end exotics.....

they have these at Northern Tool. they also have the axle straps.