Broke down and bought an open trailer, how do I tie the Viper down???

[SoCal Rebell]

I got tired of putting all the miles on my Viper going to the track. So I bought a brand new open trailer just to go to and from the track. It is a pretty plain car hauler 8 1/2 x 16 with ramps & electric brakes. It has a steel frame with wooden decking. I need to know how to tie it down. I would guess I have to put in eyebolts but where? Where do I connect the tiedowns to the car so I can reach them when the car is on the trailer and what kind of tiedowns do I use. I did a search on "trailers" but it did not answer these questions. I have not taken possession of the trailer yet but I will on Tuesday (2/12) and want to be able to tow the car to Viperdays at Buttonwillow on Friday (2/15).

 

[Roland L-Ocala FL]

I'm not the world's best expert when it comes to tying down a Viper on a trailer, but there are slots in the front and rear of the frame of a Viper for use by Relaible (the only authorized Viper transporter), or for an owner such as yourself for transporting your Viper. I believe it takes a special hook to fit in those slots, but it sure makes it easier to tie the car down if you use those slots and the right hooks. I'm sure that someone on this site has purchsed the correct hooks before and they will be able to help you find them right away.

 

[Joel]

Ron
The UK vipers have tow eyes fitted as standard front and rear, if you could get these they bolt on to existing bolts on the front LH side at the top opening of the grille , look in there theres 2 large ones and 2 small. Cant see the mountings at the rear but the eye comes out through the rear apron on the right side. However I think you could tie around the wishbone to chassis mounting, it looks really strong there.

 

[MtHam ACR]

Ron:

Any decent trailer place will have the eye-hooks (K or R hook?) you need, they're sort of standard, you need four and they're only a few dollars each. You'll also need four tie down straps with ratchet mechanism.

A bit concerned with this part:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> It is a pretty plain car hauler 8 1/2 x 16 with ramps & electric brakes. It has a steel frame with wooden decking.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The trailers with ramps I've see are not adept at loading a low car like a Viper. I had major problems with these type with my mustang cobra (4x4 ground clearance stock, but I had it lowered by about an inch). You need a tilting trailer or one with longer than standard ramps.

Good luck,

Eric

 

[dancojax]

Don't use the 'normal' tie-down hook. Get the one that works best on the Viper. Skip Thomas (viperdays.com) has them and can send them right out to you.
The trailer place should have the tie-down straps with ratchets and can help you place the "d" rings where they will be anchored to the frame - not just to the wood which is just screwed to the frame.
You may find that you need to lengthen the ramps or add to them to keep from dragging the paint off the air dam.

 

[Steve Ferguson]

I use 4 straps and 4 t-bolts. The t-bolts go right on the frame, then you attach the straps to the bolt, and then ratchet it down until tight. I usually cross the rear strap and keep the front one straight. I bought the t-bolts from a place on the net that everyone here recommended. I Think the man is Turtle tie-downs?

 

[Paul Hawker]

On an open trailer consider some sort of protection for your snake. A fiberglass nose cone will protect from stone chips, and road grime. Texas roll up's and sloan quick load's have been used by lots of members. Maybe a good idea to do a quick search on this site for trailers.

 

[SAM Team]

I agree:

1. Get the correct hooks from Skip or someone who has them, there are some kinds that will actually damage the frame.

2. Purchase the heavy duty ratchet type of tie downs.

3. Cross them front and rear straps.

4. Connect front first and tighten from the rear. This is a lot easier. Once you are comfortable with the position of the car mark where the front tires go in the trailer, no guessing anymore.

5. Another trick one of the guys showed me and I am not really sure why but it works. Leave the car out of gear and do not engage the emergency brake while towing. When I did this before every time I stopped for gas I would have to tighten my straps but once I did this all I do is check them. Must be physics thing...

6. Take Viper, pulling vehicle, and go and make sure your car will load before you pay....remember slicks will drop the car even lower, track alignment even lower!!

7. Does this trailer have the ability to load the car without the pulling vehicle attached, this may not be important to you..

Just some of my thoughts, I learned the hard way as most of us do!!!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SAM Team:


5. Another trick one of the guys showed me and I am not really sure why but it works. Leave the car out of gear and do not engage the emergency brake while towing. When I did this before every time I stopped for gas I would have to tighten my straps but once I did this all I do is check them. Must be physics thing...

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's interesting. Can anybody elaborate???

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

I can't find a trailer wide enough to get mine on, to be able to tie down! I need to tow my broken baby off for chassis jig work. The way around it, I've had to do is: take the front brake calipers and rotors off, and fit a pair of space-saver spare wheels inside out, to narrow the width enough to be able to fit his front up onto a trailer. Having to remove tail pipes so they don't catch on the ground with the front only lifted!

 

[SAM Team]

Nadine,

You can borrow mine.....it just will not float!

You must be registered for see images

I am practing posting pictures....

 

[Leonard Knight]

SoCall:

I have the correct frame hooks and tie downs that I would be glad to loan you until you get your own. My car won't be done in time for Buttonwillow. If you don't use the correct frame hooks you can actually tear the frame. Your trailer should have some tie down points on it. If not you need two in the front and two in the back as you want to pull the car in both directions with the tie downs.

E-mail me and I can either send them over or you can pick them up. I am not too far from you in Glendora.

Leonard