MDL

I'm getting ready for my first DE in Nov at Sebring and have just bought a trailer. I have not yet bought tie down straps and was wondering if anyone here uses the over the wheel type? My car already has the tabs installed to tie it down with conventional type straps, but I have read that it can be hard on shocks to have them compressed for long periods of time on a trailer. Any thoughts...

Dan.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Larry Herman

Old wives tail. Firstly, you really don't pull the car down very far, maybe an inch or so if it's really snugged down tight. And secondly, the shock doesn't care where it is in it's range, as log as it isn't bottomed out.

soldmystang

check out saferacer.com

he has an assortment of sizes in 10k tie downs

A930Rocket

I tried the over the tire routine. They are too narrow and besides, the typical tie down is easier and faster IMHO.

Lots of on-line places sell them (but don't buy them at Lowes or Home Depot).

kurquhart

+1 - I am very happy with the G-Force tie downs I ordered from SafeRacer.com:
http://www.saferacer.com/2ratiedo.html

John H

I could never use the over the wheel ones as the car was too low versus the D ring placement. I used to have long "axle" straps that I ran clear thru the tires but somehow managed to lose them. Anyway, now I have axle straps that are too short to do that so I wrap them around several wheel spokes. I try not to crank down too hard as I always wonder what this might be doing to my alignment.

I actually drove 3-4 miles one time before I realized I forgot to strap the car down. Luckily I left it in gear. I always try to tow with the car in neutral (and strapped down).

Matt Romanowski

I would reccomend tying to a control arm or other unspring peice. IMHO, tying to the chassis doesn't let the car move and puts more stress on the straps. Tie to a wheel or around the control arm.

mitch236

I have used both the through the wheel and the chassis. Both work. I haven't tried over the tire and never will. It's too much work. My favorite is the chassis as I can tie the car down when hot and the straps don't loosen during towing.

Jay Gratton

I totally agree with what Matt is saying. I like to let the suspension work while it is tied down.

penguinking

how hard would you have to tighten the strap before you start worrying about bending pieces? i'm always scared that i've overtightened the straps and might bend a control arm or tie rod or pull a wheel out of alignment. is it even possible? i mean, rumors are always abound

Matt Romanowski

You don't have to go ridicuously tight. As long as the car doesn't move at all is probably tight enough.

Jay Gratton

Also important is to check your straps everyonce and a while. I would check it after the first hundred miles and if it looks good then I would just make sure the straps are good every time you fill up or stop.

M758

I strap my 944 down with 4 straps. Front two are to the factory tie down points tied to the frame. There rear are at two eyelets I installed in the rear corners of the car. I have been doing it like this for year and never had a problem. I also have been using straps I got at , heaven forbid, HOME DEPOT. Yep they are 10,000lbs rated wratching tie downs.

MDL

Wow, I'm kind of surprised that not one person uses the over the tire method, but I see there are good reasons why that is so. I never thought of them being hard to use or being to narrow. All good points. I guess I'll get myself 4 of the 10,000 lb straps and hook them to my D rings. Thanks for the feedback.

Dan.

A930Rocket

No harm meant by getting some at HD or Lowes other than not getting the type that has the small non clipping ends. I saw a guy at VIR with those pull in and is car was about tp fall off the trailer. They were more like tie downs.