Equipment Tie-down

[Mrwurm]

My hydrostatic drive zero turn mower has a parking brake that is pretty effective. When I move it by trailer I am not concerned about it moving about on the trailer (it does'nt). What I am wondering is do I need to tie it down at all. The only reason for this would be to keep it on the trailer in the event of a traffic accident. I see a lot of professional landscapers in my area that just drive up on the trailer and go. Any thoughts ?

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd definitely tie it down.
Better safe then sorry...

 

[Golfgar4]

I'd tie it down just for my own peace of mind. And besides, that'll slow down the guys who would want to steal it! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[Mrwurm]

I need to take in this machine for warranty work today, so I guess I'll have to make a trip at lunch time to get a nylon rachet tie down. I usually tie stuff down to my trailer with a chain and a come-along. This process takes too much time and it scratches the paint. Any thoughts on nylon rachet tie-downs? (I think they're nylon ??)

 

[Dozernut]

Hears a thought, IT ILLEGAL NOT TO TIE IT DOWN! Unless you like meeting policeman and paying tickets you must tie your equipment down. The tie downs must be of adequate strength to keep the equipment from coming off and killing someone. There are laws in all 50 states mandating securement of loads. If you lose a load and someone is hurt or killed, the litigation will last for years and you stand to lose all your earthly possession and future wages. I think I would tie it down!

 

[Golfgar4]

I wouldn't think that you'd need chains for around town driving. You'd use those for highway travel.

The only concerns for the kind of tie downs to get is that they are properly rated for the weight you're hooking to. I haven't had to buy any for a long time, but IMHO each tie down should be rated for more than the weight of what you're hooking onto. Also remember that nylon deterioates in sunlight, so maybe you can find tie downs made out of some other material.

 

[Mrwurm]

Dozernut, I had a feeling that what you stated might be the case. Thanks for clearing that up. I am not a professional driver so I don't know the rules for 'trucking' loads on a trailer.
Jerry

 

[Dozernut]

In my state the Illinois revised statutes clearly states about load securement. There are no provisions or exemptions for not securing your load because you are "in town". I have been to accidents in town and out of town where trailers were not safety chained or the load not secured. These were not pretty!

 

[rdln]

your not answering your fone Jer, just get four keeper straps, the ones that cinch and put them at the corners

the ratchets are a pain IMO

 

[Thomas]

Good to tie down any piece of equipment to keep it from bouncing around which might cause damage to the trailer,or the equipment your hauling $$$ /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Just figure out the weight of the equipment than purchase strap,rachet etc.. twice the strenght and you should be all set.