Car Haulers, I need some help

[GAmes]

I'm going to load my wife's 98 Caddy Seville on a flatbed trailer this week end and take it to Va. I bought some new 10,000 lb straps, but I'm not sure what I should attach them to on the car. Do I winch down the frame or the wheel A frames? I'm guessing I put the trans in park and set the park brake. Do I do that before or after winching down the straps? TIA

 

[Oasis-3]

Take your time

After you get the car on the trailer and moved front to give you some toung weight put it in park and set the parke brake.

Then look around on the front of the frame for a EGG shaped hole there may be more then one on each side most are just in front of the front tire, some are just in back of the front tire you will have to look for them. this is were you put your hook in to tie it down try to have two front straps pulling front. Then on the back the same EGG shaped hole will be just behined the rear axle and they will be on the bottom of the frame. OR just in front of the rear axle / tire and out closer to the edge of the under side of the car. Have the rear straps pulling down and back IF the car has AIR BAGS on the rear turn then off before you tie it down the switch sould be in the trunk on the drivers side. Remember to look for the EGG shaped holes THAT ARE REINFORCED some of the holes are just stamped into the frame and they are not strong enuf and your hooks will tare out of the frame.

Hope this helps and have a safe trip

Cliff

 

[jelag]

I have an old car sitting just about 20 min out of Detroit MI... and it needs to come back to Spokane WA... ... . Do not know it it will start and run to load... might have to be winched up??



Is there a chance one of you guys would have an open spot so that I don't have to chase after it... . and if so... . can you email me a price at -- email address removed --... ... . time is not important, and I might be able to meet you someplace on the west coast if that would simplify things... ...



Thanks...

 

[GAmes]

Thanks Cliff,



I found the holes but my hooks are too big for them. Did a little research and find I need T-hooks. Is the an alternate way to secure the car or do I need to find a source for the special hooks?



Gary

 

[Bernie]

Set the brake after securing

After you get the car on the trailer and moved front to give you some toung weight put it in park and set the parke brake. Cliff

I agree with everything Cliff says, except for the order of securing the car. You put a lot of stress on cars when towing them on a trailer (From the straps). I've seen busted gears, clutch damage, and busted parking pins from the order you described above. Here is what I would recommend.



-Position the car so about 10% of the combined car and trailer weight is on the tounge.

-With the car in neutral, secure it down. If sounds like Cliff really knows that car, and is right on the money with his recommendations.

-AFTER the car is completely secure, set the parking brake

-Then, put the car in park. (If it was a manual, I'd leave it out of gear)



This order will allow you to secure the vehicle with out that load/force of you ratcheting going in the drive train/tires/brakes/etc.



-After you have driven a distance (I usually go about 15 minutes), stop and recheck. If the straps are all still tight, great. If not, take the car out of park, take off the parking brake, and tighten again. When done, re-engage the parking brake and put the trans back to park.



(and then, get rid of the Cadillac and get a car that runs)

 

[GAmes]

(and then, get rid of the Cadillac and get a car that runs)

I appreciate the info but not sure about "car that runs" part. It drives and runs great, only has 79k on it. I don't think GM offers a better engine than the Northstar. I sure wouldn't trade it for a D-Max.

 

[Oasis-3]

Try this link

Gary

Look up C. F. Bender / this link http://cfbenderco.stores.yahoo.net/tiedown.html



This will give you an idea of what you are looking for maybe try a tractor supply store and try to find some S-hooks that are GOLD in color this should indcate that they are HARD and will not bend see what you can find.

If you can not find any let me know and I can get them local and send them to you if you have that much time before you have to go. Or you can call me anytime

717-443-9651



Good Luck

Cliff

 

[Whiskey]

Looking for towing gear this is where I buy most of my stuff!

http://www.awdirect.com/

whiskey

 

[GAmes]

I found some. Thanks to all.

 

[Bernie]

I don't think GM offers a better engine than the Northstar. I sure wouldn't trade it for a D-Max.

I agree, the Northstar is a nice power plant. GM can make good motors when they put their mind to it. It's everything around them that I don't care for.



I also like the inline six they have in the Trailblazers. Good torque and smooth.



The newer (C5 and C6) Corvettes offers the best value in absolute performance, but many are turned off by cheap interiors and poor fit and finish. Its too bad.



Bob lutz may turn them around if he drive home that the car industry is about the product.



But, this has nothing to do with towing your car, so I'll shut up now.

 

[Nate]

I just put the Jeep in park, T Case in 4wd and park brake on. I've not used tie downs before to move the Jeep around town before. Haven't had issues.



When I tow it long distances, I use 6 5k rated straps. One to each axle, and 1 on each corner pulling the suspension down.

 

[Bernie]

I just put the Jeep in park, T Case in 4wd and park brake on. I've not used tie downs before to move the Jeep around town before. Haven't had issues.

This makes me glad I live no where near you! In even a small accident that Jeep is going to come loose and become a problem (and odds are, it is to you in the cab or someone in an opposing lane).



Recently I was on my way home from a race when I came across another racer with his single car enclosed trailer and tow vehicle jack knifed and in to the Jersey barrier in the road (trying to tow woo much with a Toyota 4 Runner, but that is another post). The accident looked very minor. We stopped and offered to help, but there wasn't anything we could do so we left.



I found out recently that just about every body panel of his car that was inside the trailer needed repair from bouncing off of the walls inside the trailer, and his car was secured. The tabs welded on to the body to secure the car in the trailer tore off! His race car suspension was also some how dammaged (may have been securing with the suspension in the back of the car). And this was a very minor accident that everbody walked away from.



The DOT has some regulations on securing vehicles for towing. I don't know where to find them, but the general idea is (4) independent straps rated at something like 10k pounds each.

 

[Nate]

I meant short distances, like to the car wash, etc. I might be lucky to see a few cars.



I'll get some pics of my setup when I pull it this weekend.

 

[Bernie]

As a firefighter, you would be suprised how many severe accidents we see on "short distance" trips. No excuse.



Stop endangering yourself and everyone around you to save 10 minutes of tie dow time.