What is the best way to strap the Jeep to the trailer? Also how do you know if you have the jeep loaded on the trailer so that the tongue weight is correct?

 

Bagger, There are different opinions, I like a chain on the rear around the axle pulled from corner to corner. I usually us a large strap with ratchet pulled to the front in a like manner.

I tow with a half ton pickup, so I measure a spot on the rear bumper to the ground unloaded and pull the load forward until it drops that measured spot about 2". That gives me the tongue weight that works well for my setup. Should you be using a heavier truck you will have to use a trial method. You want some down pressure regardless of the tow truck. IMHO

John

 

When I haul cars, I like to chain the frame to the trailer tiedowns so it forms an "X" pattern (Right fromt frame to left front tiedown, etc.). I use screw type ratcheting load binders to tighten the chains down. I went to NAPA and got the adapter sets that let you hook a chain into the factory tow holes in the frame.

Tongue weight is a feel thing. You want the Jeep centered between the edges to your left and right, of course. You want to aim for about a 2" drop in height, just like stated above. That's usually about what it takes to get the truck's back end level with the front end, so your truck is as close to parallel with the ground (flat ground that is) as possible. You want to have your trailer nice and level with the ground, too. You don't want your trailer coupler pointed skyward or jamming down towards the ground, that's for sure.

As a shot from the hip, if you've got a flat deck I would say you'll want to start somewhere around a foot from the front edge and work with it from there to balance the tongue. That's where most of the stuff seems to wind up on my trailer.

Don't forget to dial in your electric brake power level if you have one. That helps out with the ride and will save your truck brakes.

 

With a tandom axle trailer, drive it on forward & center it over the axles. That should put enough weight on the tongue.
I like to secure the wheels or axles so the suspention on the vehicle lets it ride smoother. Others like tieing the frame down so the suspention doesn't move much. Both ways work. I do cross (X) chain front & rear so NOTHING moves during transport and check all straps and/or chains at EVERY stop.

 

60-40 weight distribution. 60% of the weight from the trailer axles foward, 40% to the rear. I too am from the ol' school of chains and frame hooks. All of our flatbed towtrucks are equiped with straps. When I trailered my '76 4x4 on 38's, I like to hook to the axles. I need not worry about trying to compress the susspension evenly, or that the frame hooks may bounce out. I x cross the rachet straps so that I am pulling both down and in, against the truck trying to hop side to side.

 

personally, i always tie my loads down from the axle, this way when your going over a bump in the road, the suspension on the vehilce can move, wareas if you tie to the frame, and you go over a bump, your load will bounce, and rip at the chains/tiedowns you are using, causing all sorts of problem...... i also use chains, i like to go around the rear axle of the vehicle, and chian it to both rear corners of the trailer, then start the vehicle and pull it forward to tighten the chian, then slap another and the front alxe, and use a binder to tighten it all down, if you do it correctly, it shouldnt go anyware! Dustin

 

What kinda Jeep? I have a '05 Wrangler that I just flat tow. Scooped up a towbar from E-bay shipped to my house for $45.00 with all necessary hardware. I tow the Jeep with all 4 on the ground behind the Ford so Momma can sit up front with me.

 

Huge thanks for all the advice!

 

Def get yourself some strong (4) AXLE STRAPS (4) 10,000 HD ratchet tie downs with either hooks or the flat curved ends.

Where in IL are you?
going to BADLANDS?

 

Why on earth would he need 40,000 pounds of straps for MAYBE 5000 pounds of Jeep?

 

is it ever wrong to have too much strength on the staps holding a vehicle on a trailer?

I was just saying that I would have the strongest possible holding my vehicle to a car hauler, I have a 3500-4000 lbs Toyota Tacoma that I just towed with a set of straps that were rated many times stronger than needed.

 

Is the trailer rated for at least 40,000 pounds too? How about the tow vehicle? If you are going to transport that Toyota over 10 miles you should hire a professional with a semi.

 

I am sure he straps are overkill
The trailer is meant for up to 7K lbs, it is a car hauler/landscape trailer
I am just towing the truck to and from my home to work and such.
My truck is a 2002 F-350 Powerstoke 7.3
The trailer and toyota probably only weigh in at 5K lbs, 1/3 of what the truck can safely tow, right?

Are you just giving me shizzat or are you saying I am doing something wrong/unsafe?

 

Just that I would never have suggested 40,000 pounds of straps for a Jeep.
Although... the chains I use are rated higher then that. Only because I already have them and don't have enough straps that are big enough.
I always figure the person asking the question is smart enough to use something strong enough to do the job.

 

To answer toyota hauler

I am in South Eastern WI (Somers) and yep I am going to the Badlands this weekend. The 4*4 club I am in (www.gljt.org) is having a run this weekend. I have 10K ratchet strap tie downs. I plan to connect to the axles and cross them. I am going to load the trailer the night before to let the straps stretch (they are new).