okay i just got my self a new flat bed car hauler. i am going to be doing alot with it. i have a big ford tractor with a brush hod, cars and trucks, lawn mowers, and lots of other things that i move around alot. My question is what do you guys perfer chains and binders or big ole high quality straps at least 10k,

 

I prefer chains and binders personally. I know they probably arent stronger than a big ole strap, but I think they are, they just look more solid. Plus with a chain and binder you can crank it down a lot easier, and take them off a lot easier.

 

when i am hauling anything on my trailer cars trucks tractors i always use chain and ratcheting binders i am not a big fan of snap binders (to dangerous) if its something like scrap or sod or other things like that i use straps, but for the big heavy expensive stuff its always chain for me

 

Take your pick. The nice thing about chains is that they are not going to become abraded from rubbing on something. The downside of them is that it is much easier to scratch a bumper or the vehicle if you are not careful.

I personally have used straps with an enclosed car trailer. Some nice big straps rated for the weight and some axle straps.

Personal choice IMO.

 

Hello all;

For me it boils down to chains being the old reliable method that can tie down almost anything, sharp edges and all, but i prefer nylon. Do not get cheap on the straps and you will have something that works better and easier than chains, and in many cases is safer. I have had vehicles bounce enough (bad road) that binders came loose or the hook on the chain dropped loose. In general nylon is less likely to do that as many have safety hooks.

Just my $1.38

 

A properly sized strap shouldn't come loose as easily as chain because the webbing will have a little stretch to it where as chain does not.

 

I voted straps, but, I like to run a nice chain around the rear axle and then around the the trailer frame or a big cross member just in case one or more straps break. Makes it easier if the car trailer doesn't have a solid bed. I like to use 1/2" shackles to complete the loop.

That way the vehicle stays with the trailer and doesn't kill someone coming the opposite way.

Though I imagine if a vehicle comes off the trailer and the chain holds on to it, the accident will probably kill you. Better me then an innocent driver is how I look at it, for not checking the straps while driving.

I like to take a come-a-long with a safety hook on each end, and put some sideways tension diag. across the back frame to the trailer frame for trucks.

 

Keep both handy,, it depends on whats getting hauled, cars and the like, chains
Furniture etc straps.

 

I like to use straps just because chain binders scare me. I've seen them jump back out at guys before. If I'm hauling something very heavy I'll use chains.

 

that exactly why i only use ratcheting binders my dad has been trucking for over 40 years and he can tell you a ton of storys were guys have been hurt with snap binders especialy if your not a big guy they can really be dangerous. plus i think that you can get a load tighter with a ratcheting binder and i there not as likely to come loose.

 

I'd say it depends on what your haulin

 

Tractors, cars & trucks - chains. (assuming flat bed trailer)
Lawnmowers and lots of other stuff - straps.

Add a third option to your poll that includes come combination of above and I think you'll have a winner.

 

Ratchet straps all the way!

Use little ones for small stuff and big ones for big stuff. Chains are too heavy, noisey, old technology, can't get them tight enough and the binders can hurt you bad. Ratchet straps are lite, smaller in storage, soft on the load, can be torqued down tighter then a chain and will never come off until you release it. Now I AM talking about ratchet straps only, don't use that crap that just holds the strap in a bind with a push button release, they a useless.

 

okay thanks for the input and keep it coming i want as many opinons as possible. with my old trailer i always used chains for cars, tractors even riding mowers lol. i really dont think that you can get a load tighter with a ratchet strap then you can with a chain and binder with a cheater pipe. i think i am going to stick with the chains for car trucks a tractors and get some good high quality straps for smaller stuff. so ill have both on hand and be able to tie down anything. lol
thanks
sam

 

When you strap down with chains, you can strap to the body of the car. When you use straps, make dang sure that you are not going to touch the strap to anything on the vehicle if you strap to the body otherwise you will be needing a new strap 5 miles down the road. A set of straps with axle straps is a cinch to hook up and strap down.

Whenever you strap down a car, the fronts should go straight ahead. The rear straps should cross each other, meaning that the drivers side gets attached the the passenger side of the trailer and visa versa.