Car Hauling
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: KS
Car Hauling
I haul my Jeep on a car trailer behind my SuperDuty
and I have always left the Jeep in gear and set the brake
after it's all strapped down and while hauling.
I have had mixed responses to doing this, some people
say put everything in neutral, and some say it's alright.
Opinions Please.......Pros/Cons if any
In gear or neutral ?? Brake or no brake ??
Thanks
and I have always left the Jeep in gear and set the brake
after it's all strapped down and while hauling.
I have had mixed responses to doing this, some people
say put everything in neutral, and some say it's alright.
Opinions Please.......Pros/Cons if any
In gear or neutral ?? Brake or no brake ??
Thanks
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
The guys that say put everything in neutral are probably thinking that in gear, it's going to rock back and fourth on the same spot and cause uneven wear on the gears. Maybe so, but I would put a higher value on safety and liability by making it as immovable as possible on the trailer.
I read a similar topic on an antique tractor discussion board. The guys who kept everything in neutral were concerned that if left in gear, a tractor with magneto or diesel ignition could bump start if the tractor moved a little. I didn't really buy that, but there is always somebody that swears they had it happen.
I read a similar topic on an antique tractor discussion board. The guys who kept everything in neutral were concerned that if left in gear, a tractor with magneto or diesel ignition could bump start if the tractor moved a little. I didn't really buy that, but there is always somebody that swears they had it happen.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,558
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
I worked with a friend of mine on his race car, and at first we left it in neutral when it was on the trailer, but then we started leaving it in gear for an added measure of safetly to keep it on the trailer in case something strange happened. I think as long as you strap it down in neutral, then you'll be fine setting the brake and putting it in gear after you're tied down.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5
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If the vehicle is securely tied down with 4 tie downs there should be no movement at all. The only movement should be minimal suspension travel. If the car/truck is moving back and forth then it's not secure enough IMHO.
I haul a 69 Buick GS convertible 4-speed on a trailer and I usually leave it in gear with the brake set. I guess I can see the concern about "loading" up the drive train by leaving it in gear but I really don't think it's a concern if it's tied down well.
I haul a 69 Buick GS convertible 4-speed on a trailer and I usually leave it in gear with the brake set. I guess I can see the concern about "loading" up the drive train by leaving it in gear but I really don't think it's a concern if it's tied down well.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
I have been hauling cars for 20 years and have always subscribed to the idea of setting the parking brake and leaving the trans in neutal. I do this to prevent the driveline from binding up. I have seen people ruin engine or transmission mounts.
If you put the car in gear, then cinch it down, the compression of the suspension can bind the driveline and load the mounts.
If the parking brake is in good order then there really isn't anything to be gained from leaving it in gear.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
If you put the car in gear, then cinch it down, the compression of the suspension can bind the driveline and load the mounts.
If the parking brake is in good order then there really isn't anything to be gained from leaving it in gear.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5
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I would agree with Steve that there probably isn't anything to gain by leaving it in gear. If it's properly secured it's not going anywhere, in gear or not. But if you are ruining motor or trans mounts then there is another problem to look into. Drivetrain mounts take alot more abuse on the street then they do on a trailer. Well, at least mine do with my foot behind the clutch. lol.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
I put the Bronco in gear and set the brake, after cinching it down with chains and binders. I don't use webbing strap tiedowns for securing cars to trailers. They are fine for motorcycles and ATV's or a light dune buggy, but for cars and trucks I don't use them. They stretch and come loose. With chains and binders on all 4 corners, as long as a tire doesn't go flat on the vehicle being towed, it will stay put as long as the chains are tight. The gear and brake are just an extra measure of protection.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
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I do the parking brake/neutral method. I never had a problem with tie down strap. A good tip sheet....
http://www.mrproducts.com/tips.html
http://www.mrproducts.com/tips.html
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: KS
Thanks for all the good input...FTE is a great site.
I guess I'll keep on doing what I've been doing unless I suspect something going wrong.
I had a close call last year in Eastern Colo. on I-70 heading West, some fool must have feel asleep and was headed over in my lane, (left lane & haulin) I give him all the room I could until the left trailer wheels were starting to slip off the pavement, It was time to take my lane back, he must have woke up about then because he got out of the way real quick and just in time to avoid getting ran into the ditch, the trailer whipped to right pretty good then straightend right up. The Jeep never budged and the straps were still tight when we checked them. I use 4 straps over the axles with 8 anchor points on the trailer, some think it's overkill but I think it worked just fine.
I guess I'll keep on doing what I've been doing unless I suspect something going wrong.
I had a close call last year in Eastern Colo. on I-70 heading West, some fool must have feel asleep and was headed over in my lane, (left lane & haulin) I give him all the room I could until the left trailer wheels were starting to slip off the pavement, It was time to take my lane back, he must have woke up about then because he got out of the way real quick and just in time to avoid getting ran into the ditch, the trailer whipped to right pretty good then straightend right up. The Jeep never budged and the straps were still tight when we checked them. I use 4 straps over the axles with 8 anchor points on the trailer, some think it's overkill but I think it worked just fine.
Last edited by jhemr; Apr 7, 2004 at 07:40 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 797
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
Pardner, if I were you I'd leave the Jeep firmly in gear. I've done a few X-C trips with cars, and I would never consider leaving it out of gear. That extra safety margin seems to be worth the tranny risk. If you keep it tied down with cross chains to the frame underneath it shouldn't ever move anyhow. I use an Exiss 7500# trailer with four 3/8" cross-chain tiedown points (Trailer LF to Vehicle RR, etc.,etc.). When I hauled out an F250 last summer using a Budget trailer we found that it required retensioning every 400 miles or so. I check at every fuel stop. Better safe than sorry.