TIPS for SECURING a VEHICLE on a trailer OR have you got this nailed?

Here are a bunch of tips about securing your Vehicle to a trailer. Add your tips as well.
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[@m1cxf]

Instead of "crossing" straps I have used shackles, both soft or metal, to substitute for the short straps. I have also made short loops from rope when really pushed. It stops the straps from rubbing against themselves.

[@jackfourbee3609]

Give it a yank😂 might have to explain that one to some viewers. I see something similar when I’m getting timber from our supplier. Young blokes using shoe strings to Secure timber loads. I’ve always been told to belly wrap the load. Similar to the way you secure the tyres. Very informative Matt. Keep up the great work. 👍👏👏👏

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks mate. 😁

[@darrylbothe7387]

Great video. I used this method on the weekend and it worked awesome. Thanks for a great video.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad it helped

[@bryanbrowning5746]

Good video! A suggestion is also, when possible, engage the transfer case, preferably in low range, that way the parking brake is basically holding all four wheels in place. Not always possible if the driveshaft(s) or front hubs have failed, but would work if you’re trailering due to engine failure.

[@yusufsayed2119]

Awesome advice 👏 👍 Thanks for sharing and we learn more everyday , greetings from south africa 🇿🇦 😀

[@gregy1194]

Your vid brought back memories of loading 110's in RAAF C130 Hercules. We had strict rules as you can imagine. Had to use chains, over the axles (under brake lines) 10,000kg from memory. Link back onto themselves and then locked to the aircraft floor with a turn buckle connector. Had to be crossed back at 45deg to provide lateral restraint as well as forward. . 3G forward, 1.5G lateral and aft. When all done, the Load master (aircrew) did final inspection.

[@Malc664]

Matt, you've tied it down exactly as we do in the trucking business. Even for long hauls. Also make the excess shorter or wrap it around so it doesn't fly around or hang off the side of trailer. Good video.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks heaps. Not being a towie or truckie I really appreciate it when you guys confirm my work. I make a big effort to get my info right. Thanks

[@dantrucker7623]

Matt I do have one thing. The way you have crossed the straps we do that when loading structural steel called choking the load. Each strap should have a protective sleeve that you should use on the cross over to prevent the strap from wearing through. Those straps used properly with the protective sleeve will never fail when crossed over.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks Dan. I appreciate that comment

[@johncody9970]

Thanks Matt have learned a lot from your program

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks kindly John

[@woodyholland9865]

Totally agree with your theory. Quick stopping is biggest danger. i tow my tractor, 4500 pounds and my fenderless 28 Ford hot rod, 2200 pounds. Always strap the axles to trailer, rear to back of trailer and front to front. i do cross the straps left to right and right to left to minimize the left to right movement of load. Been working just fine for years

[@lowellcrabb151]

Good tip about securing tails. I have come to love the strap bonnets that just throw over the top of the tire. Disadvantage is that they are a specialty item and not good for binding other loads.

[@mrfordfairmont]

good tie downs make everything awesome and tying the tails like that will keep department of transport inspectors happy as they can see and know that the tail is not loose.. unlike other ways shown on apps will get you pulled over for a inspection

[@MadMatt4WD]

True. Also they like to see the latches on the straps face out so they can see they’re latched correctly.

[@herranenspearguns]

I've always tied off the the front and rear axles at the shock mounts ,one in each corner, and one additional strap on the rear to the back of the trailer. I live in California USA, and when we trailer any kind of heavy equipment it needs to be secured with 5 chains and binders or straps

[@Fiddler455]

Dispose of worn, frayed straps and UV faded straps. I had to do a roadside clean up on a car that flew though the cab of the pick-up towing it when he slid off the highway. Looked to be tied properly but the straps were past their life span.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Great comment

[@AM-dn4lk]

Awesome tutorial. Thank you.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@justineschauzier9790]

One tip I have heard (haven't had to use yet as I don't tow cars much) is to have each strap between the car and trailer as short as possible. Reason given was if one breaks, there is minimal slack in the others and the car won't move much.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks doesn’t make sense to me. Why would one break? They’ll only break if they’re the wrong rating, old or getting cut due to poor tying down and running on something.

[@goobcutusofborg3357]

@@MadMatt4WDon this comment, I would say that you should always guard against the worst. It you’re right, if it’s done properly, then you don’t have much to worry about. When hauling cars, there isn’t much worry about breaking straps since there should be no rubbing. But things do happen.

[@stuarttaylor9346]

Hey Matt great video and I agree with all you said , as a professional truck driver you got it right the only thing I can say is having to long on your extra strap left over even it roll up should be only 3 to 4 inches or misters plod ( police ) could pull you up , also to disconnect the winch rope if use to pull up the vehicle unless you have a tow truck license

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks and I’ll take that info on board.

[@ingluv]

Crazy that you could have the vehicle 100% tied down properly, but get in trouble for leaving an additional winch line (easily arguable that it is safer). Proves that regulation isn't always about safety, but also revenue.

[@billewilde1]

@@ingluv This law was written because MANY accidents were caused by people ONLY using the winch line to secure loads and not actually having the load secure.... AND it generates revenue from people who maybe don't understand WHY they should properly secure a load with a lesson from their pocket WIN/WIN.

[@ingluv]

@@billewilde1 If you tie down a 5k pound rig with a doubled 33k pound rated strap at each of 4 corners then get a ticket for a redundant winch line (that you didn't slack off), it is pure revenue. Not a lesson that needed to be learned.

[@andrewgifford8276]

Great information, thank you.

[@overlandready]

I don't do it like that and here's what I do and why: I secure the axles not the tyres; this negates any issues with deflating tyres. longitudinal is preferrable but sometimes transverse is the only way to fit it, sometimes both. I secure the body of the vehicle; this stops excess body roll which reduces a lot of stress on the axle straps. Keep straps as short as possible, so the axle straps are literally 45° or close as possible from trailer bed to axle wrapped once and back to trailer bed as similar angle. Put a short strap from towbar (if there is one) or suitable body mounting to back of trailer to stop the vehicle's forward motion ability. Repeat on front. On Land Rovers I also put 2 straps from just in front of the rearward wheels of the vehicle to somewhere on the vehicle by the foremost wheels, so, to suspension arm/leafspring or bulkhead if appropriate, this goes further to stop body roll and the vehicle's ability to move forward as well as stopping further body roll. I also always load the vehicle engine forward, so the main weight is forward of the trailer wheels. The only time I have ever had any incident was with loading engine back and I didn't load that... It acted like a pendulum and resulted in a bent tow ball! (UK type) (yep, that incident!) The tyre straps are good for lighter vehicles but again, short as possible and keep the strap where it goes around the tyre level, then off to the trailer. I also never have two parts of straps touch unless impossible to not have that. As always, the more securing straps and ability the better. as less fail probability/possibility, which is always good. A lot of it is also what works for you... we all have different experiences.

[@MadMatt4WD]

I don’t agree with towing the body to stop sway and the general wisdom is let the body move. That’s from towing professionals. I agree engine forwards.

[@overlandready]

@@MadMatt4WD I've towed both ways, and securing the body stops a certain amount if instability, having the body able to roll effects the dynamics and CoG. Vehicle movers usually want the vehicle on and off as quick as possible, so wheel strops are a "go-to" and it might alter on terrain, I can see corrogations might hammer the straps, but here with nice sealed roads, it's better to stop all roll, especially if you have high up weight. Getting there in one peice is the main thing though. 🙂

[@mrfordfairmont]

when you tie the frame you cause damage to frame! the only time you would tie the frame to axels if the was no springs at all! i have seen rolled tow trucks with car still tied to bed with 4 wheel straps..

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@overlandready I still disagree. My racecar is lifted and my trailer is high and even with all that correctly weight balanced the cars movement never affects the stability. By Tying the frame you will shock load you straps because you will never fully compress the suspension. The only way you could tie of the frame is to lock out the suspension by blocking it. Anyway you do what you think is best I just disagree. Which is ok.

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR DETAILED VIDEO

[@WrongTurnAdventures]

Great video Matt, same as I use and teach friends. Cheers Red.

[@williamreeves3492]

I would strongly advise against crossing your straps like this. The way they it is pinching and binding on itself creates a friction point very similar to having a knot tied in your strap. This can cause the nylon fibers to heat up and break thereby permanently weakening the strap. The KZbin channel fireball tool has an amazing video on twisted straps versus straps with knots and what it does to the load capacity. It's good stuff, you should check it out. My personally preferred method is running the strap from one side of the trailer through both rims into the other side of the trailer. Obviously you can do that with this vehicle as the rims are solid but I personally think looping a strap over the axle would be preferred to what you've done here. All that to say, the way you normally tow vehicles on your trailer with your setup is quite sharp, I'm going to be investing in some short straps like you have so I don't have to run the straps all the way underneath the vehicle.

[@MadMatt4WD]

The principles ive demonstrated in this video are generally The wisdom from professionals. See some of the earlier comments.

[@servicetrucker5564]

Yup I love my 8 point tie downs

[@jc7654]

you have to have a safety chain from the trailer to the vehicle loaded onto the trailer attached with a D shakle to a solid part of the chassis not the suspension or wheels, the straps have to have the rated load capacity and labels attached and are still in good shape not frayed, I received a fine traveling back through SA for this and it was just a rolling shell of a car .

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’ve never heard of the chain idea.

[@jc7654]

@@MadMatt4WD it's called a safety, same as like between the trailer and tow vehicle . it's meant to be a last resort. it doesn't have to be tight like a restraint but it has to be attached. it can be looped around a solid part and secured back onto itself with a D or bolt. tow trucks have to have a safety chain on the bed by law

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@jc7654 Well there you go. you learn something new every day.

[@jc7654]

@@MadMatt4WD i found out about it 10 years back getting booked

[@jake-mv5oi]

I'm not a tow driver, but with the way those straps are crossed right at the center of the wheel, it doesn't seem like that method would prevent it from rolling forward or back. Only the friction between where the two straps touch would resist rolling. Seems like this method heavily relies on the vehicle's parking brake & gearing.

[@MadMatt4WD]

As I say this is not ideal but it works.

[@subarutime5089]

A car on a trailer rarely moves side to side its more likey move back and forth there for strap a car for back and forth forces like car haulers and slider tow trucks do.

[@adelarsen9776]

Telecom rope is all you need. Just a single piece of Telecom rope. Seriously, safety is everybody's responsibility and good nationally accredited training goes a long way to keep the roads safe.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Everything can be secured with one short bit of telecom rope. 😂

[@Davidsmith-mc2no]

Where would you get the short straps for

[@Davidsmith-mc2no]

And are there different lengths depending on the size of your wheels and tyres

[@mattc.310]

The long tie downs of that type usually have the short straps already on them. Any towing supply house will have several different types of them. You can also use a large "D" ring to join the straps.

[@MadMatt4WD]

I got these on ebay

[@Mr105.]

Notice tumbarumba on the door of the old Landy. Not far from my home town

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yes. This is the landy we took across the desert with the @The Offroad adventure show.

[@ingluv]

I've heard the debate many times, whether to tie by suspension or the frame. Two points have always stuck out for me. 1- Tow trucks almost always use cluster hooks and chain the frame. 2- Never mix methods. If tying the frame at one end, tie the frame at both. This said, I also usually use the tire choker method.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Here in australia tow trucks use the tyres never the frame.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Here in australia tow trucks use the tyres never the frame.

[@mrfordfairmont]

the only time aussies use cluster hooks or chain on frame is to load.. i was tow truck operator on the bed of aussie tow trucks we have loop tiedowns for front and straps for rear

[@billewilde1]

@@MadMatt4WD it was a legal liability issue because many newer cars have brake lines that run along the axle or frame. Securing the tires prevents damage to the auto... cheaper to replace a tyre if you have to...

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@billewilde1 Ok that makes sence. I still maintain the load is better secured at the wheels than the body. I don't think your arguing with that though.

[@downtheshedwithbyron]

Gday Matt Hey mate love your videos Ive made a video on strapping your car down on a trailer if you get 5mins have a look and see what you think Its titled strapping your car down on a trailer Take it easy mate

[@MadMatt4WD]

Hey mate. I’d watched that vid as part of my research. 😁😁

[@downtheshedwithbyron]

Haha gold take it easy bro

[@shaunevans4917]

Hey mad mat correct me if I’m wrong but can’t you get straps just for succouring cars

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yes you can. I have them for my trailer. This was a trailer I was told to use for a job so had to use what I was given.

[@no_thanks_mate]

there's a channel on yt 'down the shed with Byron' he does a great video on how to tie a car down and the strap method works great, I have used the method on multiple occasions. its worth checking out

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’ve seen that some time back. In fact he’s commented here.

[@squatch2461]

🍻

[@restfulplace3273]

The crossover he shows isn’t the best way for single strap.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yess and I do address that in the video.

[@G-force_Motorsport]

Great video, as always. Curious to know the background of that series two on the trailer! I would suggest (like a comment below) to use the sheaths supplied with the straps to get a slightly bigger radius on the crossover, and reduce wear. A professional showed me an alternative to simply crossing over the straps, hard to explain, so found this demo, not sure if it's really that much better, but does work well :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/homcepWOl8-So5I

[@MadMatt4WD]

Head to the @offroad adeventure show KZbin channel for info on the Landy. On my trailer I have the straps like old mates shows in the first section and they're great. I don't see the advantage of double crossing it as he shows. It only creates more potential weak spots in the strap.

[@G-force_Motorsport]

@@MadMatt4WD Thanks, I'll check that out! Re the straps, you could well be right, though the double crossing method makes for slightly shallower angles, and all the friction adds stability. But proper choker traps are on their way. Thanks for taking the time to answer, cheers :)

[@MarkWright1963]

Completely wrong

[@MadMatt4WD]

Unless you’re going to expand and provide your reasoning for such a statement. This comment is useless.