Trailer is done!!!!!

[MK4]

Well this week end I finally got all the pieces I needed to install a means to secure the roadster in the trailer. I Used 2 E-Track coupled with some 7.500 lbs anchor rings. The back portion is straight forward, I used 2 axle strap and I cross them over and tie them to the E-Track with some heavy duty ratchet strap (Working load 3000 lbs). For the front I used the same track and rings but I also used some boat roller to keep the strap low enough to make sure it does not contact the body. Well It look secure enought to me

ANY toughts?

[mrmustang]

Your going to want to rethink the boat trailer pulley setup as they will eventually bend and break under the load of the car bouncing on it's suspension. You might also want to upgrade your straps to 7K or 10K load rated items. Better to have them and not need them,then to need them and not have them.......Finally, are the "E" tracks bolted through with oversixed washers underneath the decking or just screwed down to the wood decking?


Bill S.

[CA_PI]

You guys all make me want a trailer... Dang

[KEITH T.]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Your going to want to rethink the boat trailer pulley setup as they will eventually bend and break under the load of the car bouncing on it's suspension. You might also want to upgrade your straps to 7K or 10K load rated items. Better to have them and not need them,then to need them and not have them.......Finally, are the "E" tracks bolted through with oversixed washers underneath the decking or just screwed down to the wood decking?


Bill S.

X2 I would make sure every thing is through bolted to a metal plate under the trailer and make sure the wood floor does not flex to much. your on the right track.

[MK4]

The e-track are bolted through the frame of the trailer (more than 50% of them) the rest are trought the deck ( 1 1/2 inch thick) with grade 5 bolt and oversized washers. As for the boat pulley I am on the fence about them but they sure look realy strong(5/8 shaft and 3/16 Steel braket ) the straps are actually rated 10 000 lbs breaking point.

I Will be looking for an alternative to the boat pulley, but for this winter they Will do, since I am not planning to go far!

[JKleiner]

I'm with Bill and am afraid the rollers are not going to work out so well. I use the front tow hooks too and do not have any issues with the straps contacting the body so I bet you'll find they aren't necessary anyway.

FWIW, I use 10,000# straps and in the front hook them to the frame hoops then secure them as far apart as possible on the trailer. In the rear I use the short axle straps like your blue ones and loop them around the lower control arms where they meet the axle brackets, then hook those to the criss-crossed 10K# straps.

Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing some photos of it all back together

Jeff

[MK4]

Thanks guys for all the comment they are always welcome. I cannot wait to get the body back so I CAN try it with the attachement point on the trailer. Plus it Will make this car look totally différent!!!!!

[Cone Basher]

I do not think you need the rollers. I pull my Coupe into the trailer with a winch. I use axle straps that I wrap around the back of the front LCA and attach a ratchet strap to these then hook both ratchet straps to the winch hook. Once inside the trailer I hook the ratchet straps to anchors in the trailer and tighten. The straps are close to the body but do not touch once the car is loaded, two more on the back connected with the same axle straps to the lower IRS cage and tighten. Has worked OK for me for 4 years. Try this and see if it works for you.
HTH
CB

[MK4]

Thanks for the input. If anyone CAN post pics of a winch system to put the car onto the trailer, it would be Nice.

Thanks

[gwnorth]

Hi J-F
I have some trailer winch photos I'll send you via your videotron email address.

[gwnorth]

Bonsoir J-F
Your Videotron email address appears NFG to my Yahoo mail server. Send me an email address and I'll resend the photos.

[Horizon200]

Where are your rear brake lines running? From the pic it looks like you have the strap over them on the axle.

Are the E-tracks rated for 7,500# for and aft? Pulling from the side is there a lower rating?

For those that suggested 10,000# straps, that's over kill.
At most, the car only needs to be tied down for a 3G stop fwd. So, a 2000# car only needs to be secured for 6000#. THAT's using the same criteria we used on aircraft...in reality, you're more likely safe around 1.5-2.0 Gs.

I would however criss cross the straps for more lateral security. Likely won't move under normal travel, but if you take a side hit....

[MK4]

Brake lines are nowhere near the Axel they go up right after the lower arms, the straps are applied directly to the differential as close to the center as possible to avoir overstraining that part.

All information available on e track suGest that they are rates the same way front to back and side to side. If anybody has info on this topic please share it here for all to know.

JFB

[JKleiner]

Originally Posted by Horizon200

For those that suggested 10,000# straps, that's over kill.

I agree...but I also use them to tie down a Bobcat and backhoe

Jeff

[Horizon200]

Originally Posted by JKleiner

I agree...but I also use them to tie down a Bobcat and backhoe

Jeff

Big A$$ box of cat nip will settle him down.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Horizon200

For those that suggested 10,000# straps, that's over kill.
At most, the car only needs to be tied down for a 3G stop fwd. So, a 2000# car only needs to be secured for 6000#. THAT's using the same criteria we used on aircraft...in reality, you're more likely safe around 1.5-2.0 Gs.

I would however criss cross the straps for more lateral security. Likely won't move under normal travel, but if you take a side hit....

You say 2G's, but I'll bet the combined weight of the car on the trailer, and the potential sudden stop by accident or otherwise is more like 4 or 5G's. You say they are over kill, and that is indeed my point. Again, why take chances with your hard work just so you can save $20-$40. Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

Bill S.

[PSB]

Originally Posted by MK4

Thanks for the input. If anyone CAN post pics of a winch system to put the car onto the trailer, it would be Nice.

Thanks

This is what I have in my trailer: Walmart.com: Buffalo Tools 12 Volt Portable Winch: Tools



I've pulled my car into the trailer a couple times with no problem.

Pete

[Horizon200]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

You say 2G's, but I'll bet the combined weight of the car on the trailer, and the potential sudden stop by accident or otherwise is more like 4 or 5G's. You say they are over kill, and that is indeed my point. Again, why take chances with your hard work just so you can save $20-$40. Better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

Bill S.

Bill,
I agree it's cheap insurance...but here is an example of a 3G tie down holding things in place.
This airplane was fully loaded. 700,000+ pounds going 120+ knts with a very sudden stop. The only cargo out of the acft is where the fuselage split...even with that, look at how well packaged everything remained. 3G fwd, 2g vert and 1.5G aft.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Horizon200

Bill,
I agree it's cheap insurance...but here is an example of a 3G tie down holding things in place.
This airplane was fully loaded. 700,000+ pounds going 120+ knts with a very sudden stop. The only cargo out of the acft is where the fuselage split...even with that, look at how well packaged everything remained. 3G fwd, 2g vert and 1.5G aft.

However, I'll bet those tie downs are fastened into a substructure far superior than the wood deck in the OP's trailer. Give and take yes, but more give than take in this case. Unlike the picture above, his E track is designed more for lateral load fore and aft (see picture attached) than a side load. Something has got to give, and I'd prefer to see the E track fail than the tie down straps.



Bill S.

PS: That is you in the bucket isn't it

[mrmustang]

As a side note, Intercity and a few other proffesional automobile haulers have their trailers set up with E track like this



As you can see, the load placed on the tie down is minimal. This also allows the car to ride on it's suspension while in transit. I'll bet that a good majority of the air cargo is tied down in a similar fore and aft fashion with some side straps to prevent load shift during take off and landings.

Bill S.

[mydream]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

As a side note, Intercity and a few other proffesional automobile haulers have their trailers set up with E track like this



As you can see, the load placed on the tie down is minimal. This also allows the car to ride on it's suspension while in transit. I'll bet that a good majority of the air cargo is tied down in a similar fore and aft fashion with some side straps to prevent load shift during take off and landings.

Bill S.

Do they sell just the forward bracket?
I have a e-track system but don't use it since the ratchet comes too close to the body.

[MK4]

Thierry I have seen it on e-bay

[Horizon200]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

However, I'll bet those tie downs are fastened into a substructure far superior than the wood deck in the OP's trailer. Give and take yes, but more give than take in this case. Unlike the picture above, his E track is designed more for lateral load fore and aft (see picture attached) than a side load. Something has got to give, and I'd prefer to see the E track fail than the tie down straps.



Bill S.

PS: That is you in the bucket isn't it

Except, That wouldn't matter...the weakest point (straps) would be what fails. Yes, tie down for air shipment is all about angles. We crisscross chains & straps to get the most restraint out of the fewest devices.

I like that second pic around the tire for ease of tie down. Probably pretty safe 99% of the time...Plenty of vertical restraint, minimal longitudinal and virtually non-existant lateral restraint though. But, like I said, probably safe 99% of the time.

And No, not me int he bucket truck...unfortunately, I was sequestered away in the the Crisis Action Team facility during this event trying to make heads or tails out of what happened and what was going on.

[MK4]

Thanks guys for all the good comments. The mod is done, I have now added a 3000 lbs winch the the front of the trailer, realy simple and cheap mod ( 70$) works great and remove a lot of the stress of driving it on! Plus it allons me to load it by myself.

Cheers

JFB

[MK4]

Did a Few trial up and down off the trailer with the new winch set up! Works great , I only need to install a couple of 2X8 in the trailer to raise the deck a bit to be 100% sure the frame Will clear every Time regardless of the slope on the road.

[MK4]

Well I was hapy with the flat bed but wanted a bit more security and protection for the long haule. So I decided to close it up. So took the MIG welder out and look at what I ended up with! Still need to close it up final this will come in the next weekor so. as usual pics to prove it hapened.


MK4

[2FAST4U]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Your going to want to rethink the boat trailer pulley setup as they will eventually bend and break under the load of the car bouncing on it's suspension. You might also want to upgrade your straps to 7K or 10K load rated items. Better to have them and not need them,then to need them and not have them.......Finally, are the "E" tracks bolted through with oversixed washers underneath the decking or just screwed down to the wood decking?


Bill S.

Ditto that. The straps shouldn't be a problem if you strap around the suspension

[MK4]

The boat things are out the straps do clear the body.