Trailering vehicles

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Jun 1, 2025 | 12:40 PM

#16

FuzzFace2

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From: Angier, NC

Most if not all of dont know the real reason for tire straps?
Geeting sued for marking the suspension or frame where J hooks and T fittings fit in the frame or even straps over any painted or chrome parts!
Be it 25K or 5.2 mil. if you mark any part of the car or truck you will pay for it to be fixed. Try and turn that into your insurance Co., you hot shots have insurance right?
They may pay for some and if you are lucky will not drop you but do it a second time and you are out so fast your head will spin!

I have seen some use axle straps or loops thru the wheels to hold a car down and even this can mark the wheels, have you priced what some of the factory wheels go for on everyday cars & trucks?
Again insurance may help pay for repairs but I bet you will be looking for a new Co. shortly after.

I do agree with tire straps the suspension can / will move and may cause pulling the trailer fun at times but if the load is placed right on the bed it should not be too big a problem.

I have yet to see tire straps mark tires so bad it would be big dollars to replace like re-chrome or paint.
Dave ----

Jun 1, 2025 | 06:21 PM

#17

CathedralCub

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzFace2

I have yet to see tire straps mark tires so bad it would be big dollars to replace like re-chrome or paint.

There's a certain point where the car would not be able to be tied down if we had to worry about how much a strap might mar a tire.

. . . then again, the last few Bugatti models to come out have sets of tires that cost $30,000.00+, so maybe we're at that point in a few rare cases after all?

Jun 2, 2025 | 06:49 AM

#18

TestPilot57

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Joined: Mar 2024

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From: SE Vermont, South Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by CathedralCub

There's a certain point where the car would not be able to be tied down if we had to worry about how much a strap might mar a tire.

. . . then again, the last few Bugatti models to come out have sets of tires that cost $30,000.00+, so maybe we're at that point in a few rare cases after all?

At the price they charge for the car (which, as I understand is way less than the cost to build them), I would expect VW to have custom built containers to transport them. They are certainly not going to be shipped on an open car carrier along with the unwashed.

Jun 2, 2025 | 10:30 AM

#19

Pickupmanx2

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: Near Yosemite CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzFace2

I do agree with tire straps the suspension can / will move and may cause pulling the trailer fun at times but if the load is placed right on the bed it should not be too big a problem.

Dave ----

This ^^^ placement on the trailer and secured properly... I've been hauling trucks/cars on my Big Tex CH since 97-ish, never had an issue with my straps coming loose or any trailering shenanigans, I have stopped and moved a truck more forward on the trailer as it didn't feel right. Been all over the terrible Kalifornia roads/hwys towing, I always stop and check things during the trip, especially after running down the horrible 99.

I did have one issue, not with a truck or car, but with our tracked trailer we tow behind the Sno-cat, the trip on the 99 S of Sac was just brutal, and we strap around the trailer frame as there is only one axle. Adding to it, is the trailers purchased to put the tracked trailers on is a heavy duty one, way overkill since the tracked trailer and 500 gal propane tank are ~2000 #'s, the flatbed trailer is basically running empty and bounces harshly really unsettling the tracked trailer, enough so that one of the straps came off, luckily I check my mirrors quite often, especially after a harsh stretch of pavement, and saw the strap loose.

This was when we dbl'd them up on a trailer for a short trip to remove the tanks, the trailer tows the same, you barely notice the the extra bit of weight.

Jun 2, 2025 | 02:44 PM

#20

TestPilot57

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From: SE Vermont, South Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickupmanx2

I did have one issue, not with a truck or car, but with our tracked trailer we tow behind the Sno-cat, the trip on the 99 S of Sac was just brutal, and we strap around the trailer frame as there is only one axle. Adding to it, is the trailers purchased to put the tracked trailers on is a heavy duty one, way overkill since the tracked trailer and 500 gal propane tank are ~2000 #'s, the flatbed trailer is basically running empty and bounces harshly really unsettling the tracked trailer, enough so that one of the straps came off, luckily I check my mirrors quite often, especially after a harsh stretch of pavement, and saw the strap loose.

You may do this already, but lowering the tire pressure from the MAX recommended can help a lot. If they are top tier tires you should be able to find a chart that shows the load capacity at various pressures and adjust accordingly. If it were a company trailer used for all kinds of things that could be dangerous, but it sounds like it's dedicated for this one purpose so it should be pretty safe. A tag/label at the coupler stating "Tires at pressure for X load, adjust as necessary" or similar might still be a good idea.

Jun 2, 2025 | 07:12 PM

#21

Pickupmanx2

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From: Near Yosemite CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by TestPilot57

Thanks, did that, since they are dedicated for transporting these trailers, and we're the only ones towing them, did that after I had the one come loose, when I stopped for fuel I dropped them down to 55, smoothed it out a bit.

Jun 3, 2025 | 10:47 PM

#22

CathedralCub

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Looks like 5,400 pound axles there. It will probably ride rough if lightly loaded until you remove leaves from the springs.

Jun 5, 2025 | 06:15 AM

#23

99powerstrokedF250

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Didn't read everything here but yes, the correct way to strap down anything with sprung weight is via the tires (or axles are acceptable if you have solid axles). Been doing that since I drag raced back in the day, strap around the rear axle and straps over the front wheels (slicks are big and expensive).

Yes, the suspension will be able to move. No, it doesn't hurt anything as long as there's nothing close enough to touch the body. It ends up being what is called a 'live load' (meaning it can move around but can't escape, kind of like a tanker full of water or fuel) and does require extra care that a solid or fixed load doesn't.

The best thing to do is get in the habit of treating EVERY load like a live load, so when you actually have a live load you act appropriately.