Attaching a car to a trailer

[bren]

What do I sue to attach a car to a trailer? I know I use strap downs but what sort of strength should they be rated at?

Theres some here but I dont know which ones I need:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/ranges.asp?g=110&r=2072

[Parker]

I've used ones like this before Lifting & Crane 75mm Ratchet Lashing c/w Claw Hooks. Give Trailer Tek a call (01962 774988) and they might be able to tell you exactly.

[kkydd]

I would go for anything rated above 5000kgs of force

[scimmy ben]

I would go for anything rated above 5000kgs of force

Wheel Choker Straps are rated at 5 Tonne.

[Billy]

What do I sue to attach a car to a trailer?

Bit early for litigation, isn't it?

Or are you expecting it to fall off......

[muttley]

Hi Bren having done recovery many years ago as a fulltime job, go for these.

[Jon]

Hi Bren having done recovery many years ago as a fulltime job, go for these.

[marty_t3]

don't be such an amateur.

[nismo joe]

LOL @jon & marty


the ones mutley has are perfect. Have transported mine 2 times with those things. Perfect!

[bren]

LOL @ you guys

Ive just bought four of these:



Theres no instructions as to how to use them though. You get an additional strap to add to the main strap. This allows you to strap the wheels rather than the body of the car. However theres no indication of how to use them. We have had a play with the Pug which is on the trailer now and it seems ok. Im just concerened that the straps arent held to the wheel by anything other than friction. Is that how they are? Theyre not going do drop down are they?

[scimmy ben]

Theres no instructions as to how to use them though. You get an additional strap to add to the main strap. This allows you to strap the wheels rather than the body of the car. However theres no indication of how to use them. We have had a play with the Pug which is on the trailer now and it seems ok. Im just concerened that the straps arent held to the wheel by anything other than friction. Is that how they are? Theyre not going do drop down are they?

The loop created by the extra strap goes around the wheel and tyre so when you ratchet up the strap, the tyre deforms holding everything nice and tight. Friction yes, but lot of it. They'll only drop down if you get coincident failure of the strap so that it works loose and of your suspension i.e. it all falls off

[bren]

Cool, thanks

[tbone]

Bren are you bothered about scratching your wheels? The metal ends on the wheel loop can cut into alloy, I got a pair of soft loops from machine mart, same thing just nylon loops not steel.

[nismo joe]

this was my car when we had it on the trailer.

Traveled about 200 km's with it.







The coresponiding colors are the same rope (<= not rope offcorse, but don't know the good english translation)


The green arrow was the towing thing of the trailer. We used it to firmly press the car on the trailer. We figured that if the springs are compressed, the car is more likely to be stable

we also used the back towing hook.

[GT]

When I move cars about like this, especially over any distance, I normally stop after a few miles and check the tightness of the straps. Make sure you pull them down as hard as possible, even if the tyres do look a bit deformed, it won't hurt a bit.

[Jon]

and Mr Nismo Joe is right to tie down by towing eyes.
Even if the wheels are tightly attached to the trailer, the body of the car still rolls about on its suspension. Tying by towing eyes does compress the suspension a bit and help keep things stable.

[Jon]

another pearl of wisdom (seems to be the day for it )

A few years ago went with my Dad to rescue my brother's dead Polo from Scotland, using Dad's 2ltr petrol Citroen XM and a hired trailer.
The XM had never pinked before. It did with a trailer and Polo tacked on the back. A dose of super unleaded fixed it, as the car normally ran on 95.