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So I picked up a new flat bed 7x16 trailer to carry my jeep to trail heads and back. The trailer has stake pockets but no d ring tie downs. I'm thinking about adding some any suggestions? Also suggestions on where to mount? Also suggestions on good straps. I'm thinking axle straps, but maybe there are some better ideas?
I prefer axle straps myself. And my current trailer doesn't have D rings either. I take the ratchet side of the strap and drop the hook into the stake pocket and bring it up until the hook is fully seated against the under side of the stake pocket, then wrap the axle side of the strap around the axle and hook the hook to the loop. I have always crossed the rear straps in an X if they'll reach (depending on length of vehicle vs. length of trailer). This helps eliminate the vehicle from "walking around" on the trailer, if it's a light vehicle or stiffly sprung trailer. Once it's all cinched down tight, I throw a safety chain on both front and rear ends of vehicle, chained to another stake pocket, just in case something was to "let go" on one of my axle straps. It never has, but I prefer the peace of mind.
Also, make sure your straps are tight, and recheck them again after getting under way for a few miles. If they're going to loosen up, they'll do it within the first few miles. You should be able to "strum" the straps like guitar strings and hear them vibrate when you do.
Thanks Slim. I'll give it a shot tomorrow and see how it does. I'm planning on taking the jeep down to the FTE spring cookout and camp out next weekend. I'm sure once I'm there I'll have tons of help with it!
I always used chain end ratchet straps for tying my jeep down. Wrap through stake pockets and hook to top, then wrap around the axle. I've always crossed both ends. They work great on smaller axles, the D60/14b I had it was tight but they were just long enough.
With stake pockets and no D rings, I welded some short pieces of 1/4 wall 2" square tubing right to the frame rail on each corner of my trailer like shown in the picture. That way one can use ratchet straps with regular ends without chafing the straps.
With stake pockets and no D rings, I welded some short pieces of 1/4 wall 2" square tubing right to the frame rail on each corner of my trailer like shown in the picture. That way one can use ratchet straps with regular ends without chafing the straps.
That looks like a pretty solid mount to strap to. I like it. Might have to do something similar.
I like the axle straps as well, they seem to hold better than the over the tire straps. I have 2 D-Rings permanently welded to the back of my trailer just before the dove tail. On the front I have attachment points on the rail. The stake pockets are sturdy & designed to be used as tie downs, but as pointed up your straps may rub.
When I'm driving my car onto the trailer, the back of the trailer sags as I go on, the comes back up once the front wheels are on the trailer. On solid ground this is not an issue. On soft ground the ramps can get stuck in the dirt/mud which can cause the front of the ramps to lift off the trailer. I carry a cinder block & use it to support the back of the trailer for loading / unloading. It keeps the back of the trailer from dropping down.
The left hand loop in the picture is the loop that goes around the axle, or A-arm or whatever on the vehicle, and the hook on the right end is what goes to the trailer anchor point.
Chains or straps? To frame or axles? D rings or stake pockets?
All of the above for me and my Jeep.
D rings up front of trailer, ratchet straps to frame of Jeep. The D rings are welded to the very front of trailer. My bbq grill fits between the straps. Chain around Jeep axle in the rear to the stake pockets.
Been hauling this way for many years.
So time was running short, and i didn't find any axle straps in the small little town that I live in, so I grabbed some 3300 lb ratchet straps from Tractor Supply. They had them miss priced I think 14$ for 4. I also found tie down holes in the frame of the jeep. Ran the ratchet straps from the holes through the stake pockets up and around. It held great.
Marty (FordXFour) from FTE went with us, and being a retired truck driver, had plenty of knowledge to share. The way down the jeep and trailer handled pretty well, except for when I went to pass a rig in a curve doing 70, then she decided to get squirrelly on me.
On the way back, the trailer was doing a lot of nose dives when I braked, so we stopped and bumped the jeep back about 6 inches or so, which cured that and it drove smooth.
Kept 12 mpg until I tried to see how the setup would do running 75. It got real loose, and gas mileage went down a bit, so I dropped it back to 70 and it smoothed right on out.
Marty also suggested slightly less of a drop on the hitch, maybe 2 inches instead of 4.
Sounds like a great deal on the straps and a fun trip. I use a 2 inch drop on my F150. I found the trailer tows best when level or slightly lower in the front. I'm not sure what your jeep weighs, my setup weighs a touch under 5000lbs. I think that is the limit for a dead weight hitch on my F150.
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Chain around Jeep axle in the rear to the stake pockets.
