PSA Trailer Strapping

[Dzimm]

I've always just thought that cross strapping would be better to keep the vehicle square on the trailer, never really thought about the physics of it.  Just saw the BleepinJeep video on cross strapping vs strait strapping, definitely worth a watch.  Could vary we'll save your life.

 

 

[Pete M]

I've only towed a truck on a trailer once and I did all of the above.    straps and chains EVERYWHERE.    I'm pretty sure if it had a rollover it would remain exactly where it was. 

 

good vid! 

[Ωhm]

Good VID. I always thought cross strapping had two (2) purposes. 1.Prevents LEFT/RIGHT drift. 2.More strap (longer) allows for more stretch in the strap. Short straps put a lot of tension in one short spot. What a disaster using cross strapping and one strap is losed. Is his grille upside down?

[Dzimm]

48 minutes ago, Ωhm said:

Is his grille upside down?

Haha yup, never noticed.  He's got enough other stuff going on in the front of that truck it's not too obvious at least.

[Eagle]

I've been watching tow videos on YouTube by Plaza Towing, and Ron Pratt. There are professional, heavy-duty recovery and towing operators, They use chains, not straps, and they tie down straight, not across.

 

[derf]

I've seen him do enough videos with some pretty janky redneck stuff and bad decisions to be a little skeptical of anything he posts.  But I think in this case he's on the right track and has some pretty solid facts behind him.

[rokinn]

Back on the ranch we used to haul wheel tractors and D4 Cats on a regular basis.  Always used chain and lever binder cranked straight down from corner point to the bed with heavy wire from the lever handle to the chain so it wouldn't pop loose.  Safest way in my opinion.  Nylon degrades with time and exposure to UV.  Was on a construction job years ago and we needed to stand up a pretty tall wall.  Contractor hitched a pretty thin nylon rope to the top and used a vehicle to lever it up while we lifted and pushed.  We stood it up but later that day I grabbed  the rope which was mine and found it had pulverized into nothing but powder.  Always a little leary of synthetic ropes and straps since. then.

[schardein]

I've supervised the hauling of heavy equipment and cargo over regular roads and over extreme off road conditions in peacetime and in combat.  There is a time and place to use chains and binders, and to cross your rigging.

 

I also document all the miles on my 16' car hauler trailer.  I have over 30,000 miles of trailering my CJ7.  I use straps, with the J-hooks, and go straight (like recommended in the video).  I attach to the frame of the Jeep in the front and back.  I inspect my straps before every trip, and replace them, on average, every 2 years.

 

I've also made mistakes.  The pictures of my Cherokee are the result of improper strap placement and an emergency stop to avoid an accident.  The rear straps were crossed and almost straight up and down.  Like mentioned in the video, it's a mistake you see when a trailer is to short for the load.