Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

[Clark K.]

I have never towed my '65 Sting Ray, in the past, preferring to drive it to NCRS chapter and regional meets. But, since I am preparing it for a national Top Flight run, I decided that I need an enclosed trailer. So, I just bought a used Trailex all-aluminum enclosed sports car trailer. While the trailer floor has the necessary "D-rings" installed in the floor, it does NOT have any tie-down straps.

What I need advice with is how best to tie down my '65 Sting Ray. Where, exactly, is the BEST way to connect the straps to the undercarriage?

I have seen a tire/wheel netting-type strapping system, but I am not sure that this will work with my trailer. What type of straps do you recommend?

Also, do I need to install a winch even though I can easily drive the car into the trailer and get out through the left side door?
-Clark

[Terry M.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

Clark, You don't need a winch, but you might want one should your car become disabled along the road and you wish to retrieve it yourself.

Lots of places sell 10,000 lbs tie down straps. Don't go with anything of lesser capacity.

You will find those who advocate using the tires to tie down a Corvette and those who prefer the slots designed into the frame by Chevrolet. I prefer the latter, especially given your D-ring tie downs. You would have to install E-track in your trailer for the wheel nets. Use an R-hook for the frame end.

Do a search using the term "trailer tie down" and you will find more information that you need right on this site. We have been there and done that.

[John F.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

Clark, I use the tie-down rails on my open trailer with no side to side slippage. The D-rings should be okay in your enclosed trailer if tied and cross-tied. If you have a wood floor you could block the wheels with pieces of 2x4 and drywall screws. See my towing setup on the thread "Trailering a C1 on an open trailer"

[Tyler T.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

I also bolted 2 2x6s to the floor on each side and drive onto them to get the car off the floor so I can get under it to hook up the frame D rings.

Tyler

[Dick W.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

I have someone hook the rear "T" hooks as the car starts up the ramp. Throw the straps under the car and as you drive in, they will come out the back, no straining to hook the rear. The front can be hooked from the wheel well opening

[Scott S.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

http://www.ericksonmfg.com/products/strapsTieDowns/carMachineryStraps.html

Great company and alot of technical support.

[John F.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

MAC'S Tie Downs are the best in my opinion. Go to their website.

[Dick W.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

Here is a link to the company we recommend. Quick service and quality products. http://bit.ly/f2WYPx

[Clark K.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

What I need advice with is how best to tie down my '65 Sting Ray. Where, exactly, is the BEST way to connect the straps to the undercarriage? -Clark

I did a search on this forum and found no help in answering my question, above. My trailer has D-rings front and rear. I have the racheting straps with safety hooks on the ends. The trailer manufacturer (Trailex) recommends that I use axle straps. So, I have two of them.

The side yokes (half-shafts) seem to be a likely spot in the rear. The crossmember at the front also looks likely. But, what is the best spot to attach the strap hook onto the car?

[Tyler T.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

I use D hooks that hook into the frame on my 66. That is how the cars were tied down for shipment fron the factory. Its a PIA to find the holes in the frame for them but they are there. I do not have pictures now but next time on a lift I well take some.

Tyler

[Stephen L.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

Look at this thread for tiedown of your C2

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showpost.php?p=438399&postcount=3&uid=7201

[Ken R.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

link to tow hooks.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_43572_43572

photo of rear tie down straps on late model.

[Jody B.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

Clark,
Here's how I do it and it has worked perfectly. I bought everything from Mac's as mentioned in an earlier post. I use the slots in the frame; the front slots are on the front sides of the frame, right behind or even with the radiator. The rear slots are on the bottom of the frame directly in front of the emergency brake cables. I could not strap my car (1965) down in the front using the slots and "R Hooks" because the ratchet straps were very close to rubbing the front valence panel.
Here's what I did:
I bolted 18" of "A Track" (aluminum E-Track) to the floor of my trailer (both sides) directly below the front slots in the frame. I used the E-Track Idler fitting mounted in the A-Track slot, so that I could put the R-Hook in the frame and pull straight down and run the ratchets to the D-Rings. I did not cross the fronts. I placed the R-Hooks in the rear frame slots and crossed the ratchet straps to the rear D-Rings and absolutely no movement. Since the floor is aluminum ribbed material, I used 1/4" flat aluminum for the A-Track surface area on the bottom of the trailer to reinforce & mount the A-Track.

[Michael F.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

when I had my 20' wells cargo enclosed (sold now and looking for another) I just tied straps over a-arms(with padding) and over suspension in back (also pads) with 25k straps hooked to my D-rings about 3' apart(front and rear) and crossed straps and had no problems except couple times it shifted to side so wheels in back touched trailer wheel wells...no damage however. next time I think I will try the factory frame hook spots.

[Dan A.]

Re: Help with Trailer Tie-Downs

The frame locations for the GM R hooks is well known for midyears and C3s. What I have not been able to find out is where are the appropriate locations for the solid axle cars? This has been asked before but an answer has never been given that I know of. Can anyone enlighten us?

Dan