Hey guys. I bought an 18' open car trailer for my 62. (I'm in the Air Force and will be relocating to Dover, DE from HUrlburt Field, FL.) I am curious what is the best way to strap down the front of the car? I am running chains from the back to get the car tight and the strapping the front, but am wondering the best way to do this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

I have been running straps (X crossed) in front from the anchorpoint on the floor over the lower control arm between the spring and the king pin (outboard). I just don't go wild on the cinch down. Been doing this for years with no alignment change or frame damage.
On the rear nylon straps (no chains) X Crossed to strap over axle but under brake line. Snug up for no slack and you are ready to go.



Fred

 

Do not run nylon straps over sharp edges on the trailer or the car, or stamped metal parts, like a-frames. They can cut the straps. Use a short chain bolted around the part and connect the strap to the chain. I like the X method best and do cinch down hard on all 4 points.

 

When I put the 56 on a trailer (and it's VERY rare), I use the nylon straps at both ends.
At the front, I put the hooks UNDER, then OVER the rear of the lower A-frames, pass the strap under/across the trailer tongue to the other side.
At the rear, the straps goes OVER the top of the axle housing, UNDER the center section and back OVER the top of the other side of the axle housing.
MANY years ago, some of the guys that trailered their cars recommended to set the emergency brake, but the leave the tranny in neutral so that the rocking and jostling of the car on the trailer did not cause the gear teeth to click back and forth against each other. Is this a valid point??? I don't know, but that's what I've done with the 56 for over 30yrs and everything has been just fine.






Also, on the extremely rare ocassions when I trailer the 70 Chevelle, I use the same method of strapping it to the trailer.




Tom Parsons

 

My trailer has a wood floor. I installed floor loops that bolt to the frame of the trailer and use wheel straps on all four wheels. Since I have a wood floor, I also made some wheel chocks from wood and nail them to the trailer floor (fore and aft of every tire) once the car is in place and strapped down. I don't like to tow with the car in gear, so it just helps stabilize the car on the trailer. I also set the E-brake and some safety chains.

 

1. Because straps can work loose and we don't want our car to fall off the trailer, I always chain the front. Fixed length so the car is always in the same position on the trailer for perfect tongue weight (about 400 lbs). The chain is affixed to an axle strap w D-Rings so your lower control arm is not scratched by chain. here is what they look like:



2. Because the most strength has to be the rear in case of an accident and the tow vehicle is suddenly stopped, the rear has to be super-strong to hold the whole weight of the car. I use ratchet straps, again using the axle straps w D-rings to protect the car's rear suspension.

3. To prevent the car from "dancing" left or right, I always cross the rear straps. Check these straps frequently as the can get loose and you do not want that! As an simple alternative, the D-Ring Axle Strap and the Ratchet can be bought combined:


4. Make sure your rear D-Ring in the trailer deck is secure to the steel below as all the forces are on these 2 points if a crash occurs. The Ratchet strap has a handle that clicks into place; be sure it is secure.


5. If you need a cover for your open trailer, you can get a nice one that fits perfectly from Serpent Express.
It's called a "Retro Kit".


6. Always have 4-wheel brakes on the trailer. You have 3 vehicles to stop: the tow rig, the Corvette, and the trailer. Depending on the tow rig for 100% of the stopping is begging for problems. Adding brakes to an open trailer is straightforward. Adding a brake controller to the tow rig is easy (for U-Haul). Safety first, and last longer.

Have fun towing you 62; nice ride!

 

Larry hit the nail on the head with his suggestions. Axel straps are a must, the are designed to prevent cutting the starps on an edge. I have seen straps wrapped around an A-arm come apart in a 500 mile trip. The d-rings are also important because I've have a strap cut in two that was wrapped around the edge of the trailer frame and hooked underneath.

I've stayed away from crossing the straps after speaking to someone at Snapping Turtle Straps (I think that's the right name). They said that crossing the starps gives one more place for the straps to touch and wear. They also said that you should keep each strap as short as possible.

Never use one starp to tie down one end of a car! If you have one failure you're in big trouble. Use one axel starp and one ratchet strap at ench cross.

Happy towing.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it.

 

After cross-tie, etc. here is the only way to go.

John F

 

John F.,

That's a really GOOD system you have there. I keep saying I'm going to install a track system but I've been trailering less and less each year so I've never gotten around to it. Do you have any problem with the tires sitting on the tracks and messing up either the tracks or the tires?

JP

 

Not one single problem with the tracks or tires. I just added the tracks from Mac's Custom Tie-Downs this past spring. They add value to the trailer down the road. The car does not move and I feel more secure.
John F