Hauling front wheel drive cars on a 23' tilt trailer

[bitternut]

I need to haul a small to mid-size front-wheel-drive car on my tilt trailer as a favor to a friend. I have 5 chains and 5 ratchet binders that I use for my tractor and excavator. My chains and binders would work probably for the rear axle but I don't think they would work on the front. Looking in catalogs there all kinds of different style straps for grabbing the wheels. Is there a universal type that works best for securing the front end of a vehicle? I have plenty of D-rings and a rub rail with pockets on the trailer. Looking for something that might be a one size fits all if that is possible. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Bigkrank]

I have bought several pieces from these guys. They have a lot of solutions for tying something down.

Professional Tie Down Systems for Any Vehicle

 

[LouNY]

I have one of these that I keep for towing cars without tow hooks;
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466664_200466664

 

[George2615]

I also have the type Lou mentioned. Four to be exact (2 front, 2 rear). They work great for hauling smaller cars with low ground clearance.
I also have several axle straps of various lengths that fit through slots in the wheels.
Axle Strap w/ D-Rings and 12" Protective Sleeve

 

[dodge man]

I have a couple of similar straps and thread them through the wheels normally. Be carefull on the axle since brake lines are often running along them and can be ruined with a tie down.

 

[fried1765]

I also have the type Lou mentioned. Four to be exact (2 front, 2 rear). They work great for hauling smaller cars with low ground clearance.
I also have several axle straps of various lengths that fit through slots in the wheels.
Axle Strap w/ D-Rings and 12" Protective Sleeve

Those axle straps are great.
I have a few, but mine seem a little more heavy duty than those shown.
I glued pieces of EPDM rubber roofing together to make a tight fitting permanent sleeve around each one.
Chafing/cutting will now never be a problem.
They should last forever with their rubber protective sleeves.

 

[tguy]

I need to haul a small to mid-size front-wheel-drive car on my tilt trailer as a favor to a friend. I have 5 chains and 5 ratchet binders that I use for my tractor and excavator. My chains and binders would work probably for the rear axle but I don't think they would work on the front. Looking in catalogs there all kinds of different style straps for grabbing the wheels. Is there a universal type that works best for securing the front end of a vehicle? I have plenty of D-rings and a rub rail with pockets on the trailer. Looking for something that might be a one size fits all if that is possible. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Most Pros have gone to the over-the-wheel strapping systems. They fit most anything and are safe and easy to use. For your job, front wheels can be strapped by going thru the wheel with the straps, and padding and being careful-to avoid sharp spots. Axle straps with protective sleeves work great, but for a one time job might be an unnecessary expense. Most cars have front tie down points for transport. Good Luck.

 

[nyone]

Prety much any vehicle is going to have a hole some where in the frame or on a control arm that will accept a normal 2in ratchet strap J hook. For equipment i use a short 16in piece of chains with slip hooks on both ends then grab the J hook.

 

[zzvyb6]

The professional rule for trailering a FWD vehicle is to use tire webbing that forms a craddle at each wheel. This allows the entire vehicle to move a bit. Experience showed that wheel bearings and drive shafts would get galled if the body was chained down tight. Don't set the parking brake for the same reason. If you insist on the body chained down put it on blocks to lighten the wheel loads.

You will notice the tire basket strap deals on all auto carriers hauling vehicles from shipping depots to dealers, etc. Same deal for railroad transport. Same reasons.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I imagine this is a somewhat short distance so I don't think I would worry too much about chassis wear, but when I'm towing vehicles I don't worry too much about that since it is offroad vehicles with real axles or very short distances...

I've towed several types of vehicles, when a solid axle isn't available (I chain those around the pumpkin if dry with a single chain, cross chain around pumpkin or next to leaf springs if muddy) to tie to I take 3-4 2" ratchet straps with the J hooks in holes in the frame or unibody to the trailer, just put the tails of the straps in the vehicle and let the door seal keep track of it... most of what I tow is worn out and broken hence being towed and I don't own anything fancy and new, the Ranger just gets towed around to places to go offroading so won't see a huge amount of road time the rest of it's life I imagine...