Topic: WTB Rear Tie Down Brackets

[dkknab]

I just purchased an open trailer to haul my 68 Sprint B. I've been reading about how to tie down the car and would like to buy the rear tie down brackets.  My car has a dual exhaust but it really should be a single.

[Bob Gaines]

I just purchased an open trailer to haul my 68 Sprint B. I've been reading about how to tie down the car and would like to buy the rear tie down brackets.  My car has a dual exhaust but it really should be a single.

# 1 there are tie down brackets that were typical for SJ and different shaped ones for Dearborn and Metuchen. # 2 by using the factory tie down brackets your straps can work loose with the continual bouncing of the car given the leaf springs on a long trip regardless of how tight you crank the strap down. The most positive way to secure the car in the trailer for transport is with a short axle strap (with eyelets on each end) around the axle housing tube on each side and attach the tie down straps to that. Mac and many others sell them. Mac sells special sleeves to wrap around the straps so that no worries of wear on axle tube or wheel if strapping down through wheel spoke. Even if you install the tie down brackets I would use the axle tube or wheels to secure it if it were my car.   

[ruppstang]

+ 1 Marty

[69GT350H]

Agree. If you cant strap the rear wheels down, strap to the axel. In my case, the straps are crossed to prevent side to side movement as well.

[dkknab]

If you're attaching the straps to the axle do you attach them next to the differential or just outside of where the axle sits on the springs?

And what about the front... where is the preferred place to a attach straps to the front end?

[Bob Gaines]

If you're attaching the straps to the axle do you attach them next to the differential or just outside of where the axle sits on the springs?

And what about the front... where is the preferred place to a attach straps to the front end?

It depends. If you are running straight back to a tie down in the floor you would naturally run them in line with that tie down point straight back. If you are going to cross them which is best to eliminate side to side movement then you can mount them on the outside of where the leaf springs are mounted. Some also mount them through the wheel spokes. In the front you can mount them to the lower control arm spindle side and around the strut rods for the same cross pattern as the back. Some with a lot of forward space mount them around the strut round at the strut rod bushing end . Most don't have that kind of forward space for a proper tie down in that location. You could also use the through the spoke wheel method depending on wheel. You could also use the J hooks that fit in the factory tie down key way up front but you are working against the coil springs somewhat . I also don't like that location because you can bend the metal down if you crank it too tight . I have seen where tow drivers literally rip the metal in that location from cinching the cable down too tight.   

[dkknab]

Thank you Bob for all the details.  On my Trailex trailer the pad eyes are close together up front and far apart in the rear.  I'm going to do a test load and I'm thinking I'll attach the straight from the lower control arms.  On the rear I'll cross and attach on the rear axle outside of the spring perches.