Towing questions

[Brad04Mamba]

In about 3 hours I will be trying to tie down my SRT on a borrowed trailer for the trip to Willow Springs. This is my first time doing this. Any tips.

I have the big S hooks from Cragin, and four large ratcheting straps. Is this all I need? Also, do you put the parking brake on when towing? Is the car left in gear when towing?
\
Any input would be helpful. I would hate to look back and not see my car on the trailer as I'm going down the highway.

Brad

 

[Andrew2KRT10]

I always put on the parking brake and leave in gear. I also keep the truck's tranny with the OD OFF.

That borrowed trailer has brakes/ double axel?

AC

 

[Jerry Walker]

I always leave mine in gear,and set the park brake,others have said not to do this,but it works for me.

Also,cross your tie down straps,to make an X,on front and rear.

 

[Brad04Mamba]

Double Axle, don't know about the brakes. So the four straps is all I need.

Thanks for the replys

 

[Jerry Walker]

4 is all you need.

 

[Brad04Mamba]

Thanks, and I had forgotten about crossing the straps, Cragin had told me about that.

 

[ViperRay]

I tow in gear and with parking brake on but...
apply the park brake lightly at first, then ratchet down the car, then put in gear and more firmly apply the brake.

 

[Janni]

We do NOT leave the car in gear, as you can put unnecessary stress on the tranny when you are ratcheting the car down. eBrake and straps ONLY.

We've tied the car down with it in gear, and you can notice how hard it is to get it out of gear - that tells me that you are putting stress on the trans. Be kind to your transmission - don't use it to hold you car.

 

[Dave T (BADVENM)]

I also tow with straps crossed, not in gear, e-brake on per the lists suggestions.

 

[ViperRay]

That's why I don't put the car in gear until AFTER I ratchet the car down.

 

[Gus Strakes]

I connect the straps straight in front and cross in rear. That makes it easier to disconnect the front due to the low clearance under the facia. Also Jon B posted a long time ago that it was safer to do it that way...don't ask me why.

 

[Joseph Dell]

I prep for tow in this order:

1 - Drive up car.

2 - pull e-brake, transmission in gear.

3 - apply front strats, straight.

4 - apply rear straps, crossed.

5 - ratchet all to loose fit (no play, but not tight).

6 - get in car, remove from gear, slowly release brake

7 - tighten down all ratchets starting from front if you need the car to move up or rear if you need the car to move
back. [car won't move much, but this lets you fine-tune].

8 - after all is tightened down, pull e-brake. Keep tranny OUT of gear.

9 - check torque on all trailer lug nuts... they DO loosen up.

10 - check and set trailer tire air pressure. DON'T FORGET THIS STEP!

I used to tow out of gear w/o the brake on. Then a wise cudaman said "what happens if you break all 4 straps... the brake might just save you"... so i now pull the brake.

Good luck!

Oh yeah... always keep a spare tire with you. Some folks keep two. I've been with the people who need two... even on short tows. I used to NOT tow with a spare but watch a trailer have a blow out in front of you and you realize that a can of fix-a-flat ain't gonna do SQUAT with no tire on the rim.

Good luck!

JD

 

[Russ M]

Never leave a car in gear, it puts undue stress on the gears.

Everything I agree with people on.

Also check the straps when you get gas, they tend to come loose a bit after driving.