[Shop-talk] which tie down best for car hauler

[Ronnie Day]

I remember seeing a segment on a TV program about this some time ago. For
some reason I think it involved John Force's funny cars when they still
using a box trailer rather than a semi. They couldn't figure out why the
shocks on the car were getting messed up while towing between events. I'm
also pretty sure they were securing the car by tying the wheels down using
either D-rings or E-track.

Someone realized they could stick a camera in the trailer to keep an eye on
things. Basically the chassis was being thrown around pretty actively with
the movements far exceeding the loads the suspension components were
designed for. IIRC, the solution (before they moved to a semi rig) was to
add straps to limit the movement chassis movement. They may have redesigned
the trailer suspension to allow some controlled movement there, too. I
doubt many car haulers use shocks and fewer are adjustable for load weight.

FWIW,
Ron

On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM, David Hillman <hillman at planet-torque.com>wrote:

> On Sun, 15 Jul 2012, Mullen wrote:
>
>> The only time I've even known someone who preferred to tie down the
>> chassis
>> was an old buddy with a formula race car.  The shocks were way too
>> expensive
>> (and hard to get) to let it bounce around on the suspension.
>>
>
>    There seem to be two different schools of thought on shocks.  One says
> they wear excessively while the towed car bounces around on the trailer.
> The other says they wear excessively being put under load when the chassis
> is tied down.
>
>    I don't know which is right, or maybe both are.  I don't care... for
> me, I keep it simple.  What is the method least likely to cause the trailer
> to acquire a mind of its own?  If I'm transporting a ton or so of car
> amongst people who can hire lawyers, that's my only concern.  Even if it
> meant annual shock replacements, I'd still do it the safest way possible,
> and I think that's securing the load.  Basically, it's a less-severe case
> of the same reason you never move a liquid tank while half-full.  When that
> mass sloshes over to one side, you are along for the ride.
>
> --
>  David Hillman
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