Proper Way to Tie Down Your Mini NOT!

[Scooby074]

While I don't think a mini only weighs 1800lbs, there are physics involved here. A minor front end collision or a panic stop would surely snap those things or bend the hook resulting in the car coming into the rear truck.

I'm no physics major by any stretch, but that is just STUPID.

Not a mini its a Smart. The hook up is bad, through the wheels is stupid. But assuming they didnt come off in the accident the straps should hold (under 1/3 the rated capacity of the straps if their 750 KG straps and there is 4 of them).

 

[Diamondpilot]

To be honest it may not be a mini. One eluded to it being a Smart Car. Either way I would not tie down anything in that manor and would not use those straps on anything bigger than a Quad Runner and then I would not hook to the wheels in that fashion.

I don't think through the wheel is stupid as long as you go all the way through and back to the anchor point on the trailer. I tow my dads Corvette like that and see many car haulers (hot shotters) secure the loads like that. I never hook to the frame, always the axle so the vehicle in tow can use its suspension. I used to hook to the frame but all it takes is one good dip in the road to compress the suspension and slack the tie down and either allow it to come lose or completely brake when it rebounds. Its ok to hook to the chassis if you can pull strait down and compress the suspension of the vehicle in tow but this is not possible on most of our trailers like it is on a car hauling semi.

Chris

 

[radioman]

(shaking my head) people never cease to amaze me in one form or another. Sorry- have to go with diamond pilot on this one, i agree they could have at least looped in through the rim and back to d ring.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Not a mini its a Smart.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

And I'm with everyone else...the only way to tie it down a DUMBER way would be to open the windows and pass the strap through the doors. Put one over the hood for good measure...

Of course he could have chocked the wheels and called it a day...I guess that'd qualify as dumber, still.

 

[Builder]

Looks OK to me. As long as the straps are rated for the load, they're fine. If he has dunnage or blocks around 2 of the wheels it's no more likely to break loose than a skid steer with heavier rated straps. If the straps are pulling diagonally from all 4 corners, they won't come loose. I don't lap a strap over a sharp edge like those rims because it might weaken the fabric. Better off using the hook because it's tougher than fabric over a sharp edge.

 

[dfkrug]

I don't lap a strap over a sharp edge like those rims because it might weaken the fabric. Better off using the hook because it's tougher than fabric over a sharp edge.

That is SOOOO true. I use ratcheting straps (2-inchers) all the time and
I love them. I don't let the fabric touch ANYTHING under tension because
you will get wear there. I have some damaged straps as evidence. I do
not usually carry cars or tractors, but DIAMOND's suggestion of securing
to non-suspended parts of cars is a very good idea.

 

[Builder]

In MY little part of the world, the DOT will make you relocate straps that run over sharp edges. Any sign of wear, and they will de-rate them or even disallow them.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I bought 4 24" axle straps for just that reason. They were $10 each. I also picked up 8 plastic strap protectors at TSC for hauling steel and anything sharp. They were $1.00 each or maybe $.50, its been a few years ago when I bought all my stuff.

Chris

 

[coobie]

Saw this and had to snap a pic. Stopped a Burger King on the way home from the lake and thought you guys would like this. Looks like those are the 1" straps that come on a 4 pack at Home Depot for about $15. Love the way they are hooked in the wheels, that will stay in a panic stop or maneuver.

He did have one on all 4 corners.


Chris

WOW !!! I think some folks share the same brain.coobie

 

[taborekle]

He actually would not have been too bad if he would have simply laced the strap through the wheel and back to the tie down on the trailer. If he would have done this though the front portion of the front wheels and the rear portion of the back wheels it would have been secured pretty well.

The problem with the way he did it is if the wheel shifts any bit the hook on the wheel can easily come loose.

Chris

That also doubles the strap and it's capacity to carry a load.

I have lots of those straps and mine are rated to only 750lbs. My maths a little fuzzy but I think that's about 300KG.