mousecatcher

maybe i already asked this, but is anyone using e-track on the floor of their open deck trailer? i found some bonnet-type wheel straps that have e-track ends. looks like an awesome, easy to use and fast tie down.

eogel

Have not used etrack on my open trailer, but you will need a set of ratchet style tie downs at one end to create and maintain the tension to keep the car from moving.
Another option is to bolt to the trailer floor the type of ratched which is tightened with a wrench. They work very well on mine. Easier than reaching under the end of the car to tighten the ratchet.
Ed

mousecatcher

i don't think you understand the type of tie-down i'm talking about.

http://truckntow.com/pc-10447-147167-r.aspx

Cobra4B

4 t-hooks and 4 rachet straps do the trick for me. Very easy to do on a C5.

John Shiels

why bother with that? Straps are more and harder to install.

97C5inSD

Mousecatcher the biggest problem you can run into with them is getting ones that are big enough to support the big vette tires. Also they get kinda hard to strap down down cause it's hard to get room to run the ratchet. It's not so easy on a regular car either

mousecatcher

needing room to run the ratchet did/does seem like a problem. i figured that i could just have the e-track (and the ratchet) be past the front end of the car. on the rear i think i'd have more room and wouldn't require quite as much free clearance.

i've heard that it's best to tie down using the wheels, that way the suspension can work. at any rate, one of my cars does not have any frame slots so at least for that car i must use some type of wheel tie-down. i like the looks of the bonnet a lot more than putting a strap through a wheel opening.

OTOH if the wheel tie-down is so good, why do those auto transporter trucks all use frame tie-downs? of course they use chains (pretty much impervious, and built-in to the deck so can't get lost) not nylon so maybe that's part of it.