Securing an M38a1 on a trailer

[wilfreeman]

Hi all,

I will be attending a rally in a couple of months, and am trying to get everything set to go. This week I will be installing electric brakes on my brothers car hauler for the purpose of hauling the jeep to the rally.

My question deals with securing the jeep to the trailer. There are differing thoughts of the best way/equipment to do this. So, with that said, should I use chains and binders or properly rated ratchet straps? Most states require at least 4 separate points of attachment (not 1 strap wrapped around the axle and secured at both ends - that doesn't count as 2 seperate attachment points). Is it better to attach them criss crossed, or straight down, or to the same side of jeep and trailer. Also, would using the tie down points on the side of the jeep frame down to the trailer be safe?

My trip will only be about 150 miles each way, and I am not a stranger to towing a loaded trailer, but just like doing stuff the safe way. I figured there are many more people here with a lot more experience than me.

[army_inc]

When I bought my A1, we just put 5000 lb ratchet straps on each tie down ring and then attached it to the trailer. It held for the 5+ hour drive through mountains and the flatlands of Virginia. Just make sure they are tight. When you stop for gas or whatnot, just check them to make sure no movement has occured and the straps are still tight. It worked for me and was still safe. So four tie down rings, four straps and you should be good to go.

[OKCM38CDN]

I realize my M-38CDN is not an M-38A1... but what I have are a couple of USAF tie down straps used on aircraft, trucks and the sort... I run a strap from the front corner of the trailer thru the far side tie down; back across to the other tie down; then across to the other corner of the trailer... thus making an X with the tie downs and corners of the trailer the end points...

I also make sure there are NO twists in the strap... we were told this weakens the strap, but I think it was a military neatness thing...

I do this on both the front and rear of the jeep... adding that the strap on the rear goes thru the pintle hook when going across the rear...

I also add a M-100 slid up under the jeep on the same trailer attached with 4 1000lb straps...

I have towed this set up from Oklahoma to Maine and back with out a problem...

The big thing is to stop after 30 mins and check you strapping, make sure you take up any slack that may develop during transit, also liook for wear and tears on the straps and have extra straps if you develop one. I made a trip early on and found a strap had rubbed on the bumper (I was not using the tie down loops on the jeep) and the front strap was cut thru... I could have lost the jeep on that trip...

Hope this helps...

[wilfreeman]

Yeah, that's one thing I don't like about the straps - they stretch and I will constantly be worrying about them. But I can also put my hands on 4 of the 10,000# ones pretty easily!

Same thing - I'm not really looking for vehicle specific application, just the knowledge and experience of others. So, you are going from the trailer corner to the far side tie down, then back under the frame to the other side tie down, then back to the other corner of the trailer? I guess that's the only way you can go - never mind. Sounds like it would be strong enough, but it is only 1 strap per end, which isn't legal in most states (or is it? I read that on a couple of sites, but haven't verified it) - you are supposed to have 4 tie downs (chains or straps) minimum from what I read.

I was kind of thinking, if I use straps, that I would maybe go from one of the frame tie downs across to the opposite side trailer tie down point on both sides - front and rear, using 4 straps.

If I use chains I would have to come up with a different plan.

[timjuhl]

After talking with more experienced Jeep guys I've chosen to haul my jeep in this manner.

1.) I wrap axle straps around the front and rear axles and secure them to the trailer by heavy duty ratchet straps. The reason for attaching to the axles is that they don't move around as much as the frame (because of the springs.) I tighten these straps up pretty good.

2.) For a backup, I attach a ratchet from the back of the trailer to a clevis locked into the jaws of the pintle hitch and another to a clevis in one of the front lift rings (I use a clevis because the ratchet strap hooks don't really fit that well.) These straps I tighten enough just to put a little tension on the strap.

3.) My trailer has a wood deck so I have a 4 x 4 mounted as a front wheel stop. I roll the jeep into the 4 x 4 and hook it up starting with the front then rear axle. My greatest concern is that in a panic stop the Jeep doesn't try to join me in the tow van

Freeways, windy roads, hills, it doesn't seem to matter. The Jeep just rides along nicely.

I towed a Jeep 250 miles yesterday using that technique with no issues. The axle ratchet straps didn't even need to be tightened enroute.

Tim

[wesk]

The best place to secure an answer that meets the letter of the law is from your State Patrol id DMV. This should be your first step. Once it is clear what tiedown devices are approved and what methods are approved then feel out the membership for those methods and devices and how they used them.

A simple google search for this "SC DMV cargo securing rules" yielded a ton of info.

This PDF manual for SC CDL lists the minimum tiedown requirements and the minimum strength of the total devices used.
http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms ... manual.pdf
Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely starts on PDF page 78.

[wilfreeman]

Thanks Wes! It looks like SC requires a minimum of 2 tie downs, so the criss cross through the frame tie downs would be legal in SC - COOL!

BUT, I went and picked up the trailer I am going to be using today. It only has tie down clevises in the center - 2 front and 2 in the back, about 3 ft apart.

[OKCM38CDN]

I use small lengths of chain and "D" rings rated at 5000lbs to tie to the outside of my trailer... I tie off to the posts as my trailer is a 16 ft utility trailer...

Also I would recommend going to the tie downs on thr jeep, the frame may have some semi sharp edges that will wear the straps and cut them...

My opinion...

[wilfreeman]

I use small lengths of chain and "D" rings rated at 5000lbs to tie to the outside of my trailer...

That will work - Thanks!

[Jim]

Remember to preflight your trailer, especially the tires.
A spare is a good idea. I'm seeing lots of 'aligators'
along the Interstates here due to the extreme heat.

Jim in Darkest (and HOT) Arkansas

[skyjeep50]

I used to haul heavy agricultural machinery - combines, tractors, etc. We used heavy chains and load binders to go from the trailer, around the tires, over the axles and back to the trailer. That is a very secure method because as timjuhl notes, the body can still bounce up and down but the vehicle is tighly secured to the trailer via the axles. When I trailered my jeep I used the tie down rings and stout ratchet straps, one strap to a ring. Lack of tie down points on the trailer was an issue so perhaps modifying the trailer with appropriately spaced rings is a good option. Using one strap through multiple rings, one for the front and one for the rear, means that if one strap fails you lose 1/2 of your tie down! Also the longer run will lead to more strap stretch. The jeep's frame tie down lugs also provide good secure strapping points. Make sure the jeep can't bounce on its suspension so much that the straps can become unhooked. If possible, position your truck rear view mirrors so that you have a clear view of the tie downs and stop and and check frequently. And of course, put the trans in gear and set the parking brake on the jeep.