Buzz
Securing a car onto a trailer might seem overwhelming, particularly if it's your first time. However, there's no need to worry as the process is quite simple and only requires a few ratchets and vehicle straps. If you have a modern or compact car, tire straps are recommended; for older or larger vehicles, axle straps are more suitable.
Steps
Preparing the Vehicle
Position the trailer on level ground. Drive your trailer onto a flat, even surface. Avoid using sloped areas like driveways for safety reasons. Then, engage the parking brake of the towing vehicle.
- For added security, place wheel chocks in front of and behind each tire.
Prepare the trailer’s rear ramps. If your trailer is designed for hauling cars, it should have sturdy rear ramps. Simply extend these ramps from the rear of the trailer and ensure they are securely in place.
- If your trailer lacks built-in ramps, you can purchase metal ramps from an automotive supply store and attach them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Avoid improvising ramps, as this can be extremely hazardous and may cause significant damage to you or your vehicles.
Align your car with the trailer. Once the trailer is parked, position your car behind it. Align your car's wheels with the metal ramps of the trailer.
- Avoid reversing your car onto the trailer, as towing with the rear end first can lead to issues like swaying or whipping.
Drive onto the trailer cautiously. Shift your car into drive and slowly ascend the ramp onto the trailer. As you drive, the front of your car will lift slightly before settling back down and distributing its weight across the trailer's surface.
- Maintain a straight course to ensure proper alignment.
- If uncertain about your trajectory, enlist a friend to assist in guiding you.
Position and verify the car's placement. Continue driving until your car is centered on the trailer. Engage the parking brake, turn off the engine, and exit the vehicle to confirm alignment.
- If desired, have a friend observe from the side to ensure proper alignment as you drive onto the trailer.
- For manual transmission vehicles, engage first gear, turn off the engine, and engage the handbrake.
Securing the Car with Tire Straps
Secure modern or compact vehicles with tire straps. Tire straps utilize the trailer's weight to stabilize your car without risking damage to its body or mechanics. Ideal for slim cars manufactured after 1990 and compact vehicles such as smart cars.
- Tire straps may not accommodate vehicles with oversized tires.
Loop a lasso strap around the left front tire. Take a lasso strap and thread its open end through the looped section. Then, position the strap around the tire and tighten it securely.
- Ensure the strap covers the tire's hubcap.
Pass the lasso strap through a ratchet strap
. Insert the exposed end of the lasso strap through the central hole of a ratchet strap's buckle, leaving a slight slack. Next, crank the ratchet's handle 3 to 4 times to connect the straps.
- If your ratchet strap features 2 metal clips, attach one to the looped end of the lasso strap.
Attach the ratchet strap to the left front D-ring. After joining the straps, locate the left front D-ring on your trailer. Then, fasten the open end of the ratchet strap to the D-ring.
- D-rings are small, recessed rings bolted to each corner of your trailer.
Secure the straps by ratcheting them. Confirm the stability and connection of both the ratchet strap and lasso strap. Proceed to operate the ratchet handle up and down to tighten the straps. Once tightened, the lasso strap should snugly hug the tire's sides.
- While tightening, ensure the straps do not contact the car's body. If they do, loosen, reposition, and repeat the tightening process.
Proceed with each wheel in turn. After completing the first wheel, replicate the securing process with the remaining three tires. Once done, inspect each wheel to ensure no mistakes were made.
- The order in which you fasten the remaining wheels is up to you.
Utilizing Axle Straps
Utilize axle straps for larger or older vehicles. Unlike tire straps, axle straps rely on your vehicle's weight and suspension to assist in immobilization. This method is typically preferable for vintage cars manufactured before 1990 and large vehicles like trucks and ATVs.
- Axle straps may cause unintended damage to smaller or modern vehicles.
Wrap an axle strap around your car's rear axle. Position an axle strap around the left side of your car's rear axle beam. Then, secure it by fastening the strap's metal clip. Ensure any padded section of the strap is in contact with the axle.
- Your car's rear axle beam supports its rear axle, which is the elongated horizontal bar connecting the rear wheels.
Attach a ratchet strap to the trailer's left rear D-ring. Select a ratchet strap equipped with a metal clip on one end. Affix the clip to the D-ring situated on the rear left side of the trailer, then verify its secure attachment.
- D-rings are recessed rings affixed to the trailer, typically positioned at each corner of the vehicle.
Feed the axle strap through the ratchet. Pull the loose end of your axle strap through the central opening of the ratchet buckle, leaving a slight amount of slack. Then, operate the ratchet's handle up and down 3 or 4 times to secure the strap in place.
- If your ratchet strap includes an additional metal clip, attach it to the metal ring on the axle strap (the portion fastened to the rear axle housing).
Use the ratchet to tighten the straps. Confirm that your straps are firmly secured and fully attached. Then, manipulate the ratchet handle to tighten the straps until they are moderately taut. Ensure the straps remain straight and avoid twisting them during the tightening process, as twisting could complicate unloading.
- Over-tightening the straps may cause damage to the axle. If you notice the straps starting to strain, loosen them slightly.
- If any strap ends are left loose, secure them using bungee cords or cable ties.
Replicate the procedure on the rear right side. Acquire a second axle strap and another ratchet strap. Then, repeat the securing process by wrapping the axle strap around the right side of the rear axle, attaching the ratchet strap to the neighboring D-ring, and joining the straps together.
- Ensure the straps on this side, like the previous one, are sufficiently tight to secure the car without straining the axle.
Safely secure the front axle. Obtain two additional axle straps and ratchet straps. Proceed to encircle the axle straps around the left and right sides of the front axle, affix the ratchet straps to the adjacent D-rings, and connect the corresponding straps. Finally, tighten the straps until they are taut without any slack.
- If preferred, the front axle straps can be wrapped around the A-arms or chassis rail of your vehicle.
- Exercise caution to avoid fastening straps around the car's sway bars, steering arms, or steering racks, which are located on the underside and resemble small axle rods.
Verifying the Car’s Safety
Secure your trailer’s safety chain, but do not tighten it yet. If your trailer is equipped with a rear safety chain, ensure it is attached to the front of your car. Wrap the chain around your car’s chassis rail or A-arm, then fasten the chain hook onto one of the chain loops. Avoid tightening the chain excessively; the goal is to ensure it is securely attached.
- The safety chain serves as a backup in case any of the straps fail.
Inspect your straps. Verify that your straps are properly tightened and are only restraining the intended components. Pay close attention to ensure the straps are not compressing your car’s body, brake lines, or oil lines.
- Brake and oil lines are typically located underneath your car and resemble slender, flexible cords.
Safely store and secure the trailer’s ramps. If you utilized attached ramps, retract them into their storage position. In the case of separate ramps, relocate them out of the way and either store them securely or place them in the trunk of your towing vehicle.
- Ensure the ramps are stowed away properly before departing!
Conduct a test drive of your trailer in a controlled environment. Prior to departure, drive your trailer in a slow, quiet area such as a residential neighborhood or an empty parking lot. Besides confirming the car's stability, utilize this opportunity to practice maneuvers such as braking, executing wide turns, and reversing.
- If you lack experience towing a trailer, it is advisable to conduct a test drive before loading the car.
Pause to readjust your straps after traveling 10 to 25 miles. As a precautionary measure, halt your journey and inspect your straps after covering the initial 10 to 25 miles. If required, reposition or tighten your straps as necessary.
- Initially, ratchet straps may experience some stretching.
Inspect your straps whenever you make pit stops for fuel or food. Conduct regular checks during your journey, ensuring the straps are tight and correctly positioned. Additionally, examine the towing vehicle for signs of overheating or low tire pressure.
- Allocating just 10 minutes at each stop for inspection will contribute to the safety of you, your vehicle, and your trailer.
Pointers
Important Cautions
- Verify the weight capacity of each strap to ensure it can support the car's weight.
Necessary Supplies
Tire Straps
- 4 straps for the axles
- 4 ratchet straps
Axle Straps
- 4 lasso straps
- 4 ratchet straps
