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Trailering my 84 diesel...

Z

ZombieBlazer

1/2 ton status
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Has anyone here hauled their Blazer long distance?

I am planning on using these tie downs if I can find them in stock -

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...p?ck=Search_tie+downs_-1_-1&keyword=tie+downs

If not, I might have to get something else. I like these because they have some kind of closing hook. Most I have seen don't.

I'm worried that I won't be able to find a good place to hook them on the frame though. Maybe I could use a bit of chain for each one then go around the axle and hook to that.

The tie downs might be long enough to wrap completely around the axle and hook booth sides to the uHaul mounts.. not sure.

(this shows the trailer configuration - not my vehicles)

http://www.mgexp.com/phile/1/93293/DSCN1221.jpg

Any recommendations?
 
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Those are not strong enough IMO. I mean technically they are 2000lbs x4 straps = 8000lbs for a 5-6000lb Blazer, but that isn't enough of a saftey margin when you factor in bumps in the road bouncing the trailer/blazer, putting extra shock load on the straps. Those are also expensive for only a 2000lb working load.

Here's some for example from lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_271786-3734...pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=ratchet+strap&facetInfo=

Hopefully that link will show up correctly for you. I got mine at lowes, not those but similar. I paid $16ea for mine, 16' straps, 3333lb working load. Also try tractor supply or harbor freight if you have them nearby.

It's only an extra 1333lbs each, but that's nearly 5000lbs overall than the straps you posted, for half the price :waytogo:

The thing with straps, you don't want to wrap them "around" anything, you don't want the material to touch/rub against anything at all, that's how they eventually fray and fail. You want the hook end to connect to the vehicle, and the other hook end to attach to the trailer tie down points. Hook them to the frame, or anything above the springs/suspension, so when strapping them down, it compresses the suspension and removes any bouncing in the vehicle.

IMO those 'closing hooks' are a major PITA, 99% of the time you will not find something to hook to that allows it to close anyway. There's many different hook styles, normal hooks, the rectangular hooks. For example, the rectangular/square hooks are great on my trailer because it has a square tie down point, but not great on the vehicle side. I've attached to tow hooks, the sway bar even, the frame, a tow hook style reciever in the rear hitch, depends on what's available on your Blazer.

A good example here, my buddy happened to find a cool store that had a bunch of ratchet straps halves, and was able to mix and match the long strap end, to a different ratcheting end. His trailer had the square type anchor points to, so his ratchet side had the flat ones like these.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_362447-5088...pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=ratchet+strap&facetInfo=
And the vehicle side had a normal hook end on it.

With the $56 in savings from getting those different straps, you could buy a set of tow hooks front & rear to have something nice to hook to :D


EDIT: And I found the same ones I bought from lowes, they've gone down in price :D
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
 
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I can't get the Lowes site to work at all for some reason.

What if I use some chain pieces around the axle with one of those little carabiners closing the chain and then hook the tie downs to the chain?

I just can't find any tie downs with some kind of closing hook. To me it seems crazy to not use a closing attachment.

I have been having trouble finding tie downs that are strong enough for the Blazer too especially with a hooking mechanism.

I wonder what they are mounting to here?

http://s641.photobucket.com/user/thetreends/media/The Dad/The Tundra/IMG_1594.jpg.html
 
20130623_105650_zpsaf72e5a1.jpg


You can get them @ HF, Look on the website. You then also have chains that have many uses.
 
mr250twostroke said:
Why are you not using chains/binders? Chain around axles, Done.
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ZombieBlazer said:
I felt the straps would be better for me as a novice. How much would it cost for the chain and binder route?
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I don't feel being a novice makes straps easier or harder. Chains are just as easy and either can be just as good. I prefer straps if used correctly, chains and binders are more of an investment, and if you don't do it correctly they can loosen up. I also don't like going around axles since it leaves the suspension to bounce the entire time, but that's only opinion/prefrence. The good thing with chains and binders is they are very strong, and have a million and one uses.

ZombieBlazer said:
What if I use one like this (with a higher weight limit).. but instead of using that little open end of the hook

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quickloa...n-Strap-1500lbs-QL1500/202393123#.UchXQfltggs

I use something like this to attach to the closed part of the end and some spot on the frame or chassis..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lehigh-2...l-Quick-Link-7035BS-12/100199370#.UchX2fltggt
Click to expand...

It's hard finding straps and connectors/binders/carabiners with a good strength in conventional stores, HF like mentioned is your best friend, IF you have one nearby. I think you're over thinking the "closed hook" thing too much, chains and binders have been used religiously forever, and those don't lock, they just slide into the links, and are held by tension.

I just like straps because they're lighter, smaller, cheaper and do the job just as well. If you want them to last, you just have to be careful on how you connect them. Chains on the other hand last forever, can wrap it around anything, are stronger, bit more of an upfront investment.
 
sweetk30 said:
all your tow truck needs here . www.awdirect.com

and if chain binders get the ratchet style you we be much better in the end over flip binders.
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Yeah the flip binders are real good, can be hard to close if you have it too tight, but there's that chance of the lever opening up if you don't tie it closed, wrap excess chain around it, etc. There's a turnbuckle kind, but unless you get a super nice quality one threads can pop when you're tightening it down (ask me how I know :D) And I agree, ratcheting ones are probably the best.

And for my example, see the pic mr250twostroke posted with his trailer, the anchor points on the outside of the trailer, I like having one end of a ratchet strap that's square like that to hook to, but only cause those are the anchors I had on mine. Anchors, 2x4 holders, whatever :D
 
Ok.. I will trust your judgement on the hook.. I just wanted to be sure that it didn't come loose. But I guess I will just make damn sure that there is no way it slips.. haha

I do have a Harbor Freight near by.
 
mrschaeferpants said:
I don't feel being a novice makes straps easier or harder. Chains are just as easy and either can be just as good. I prefer straps if used correctly, chains and binders are more of an investment, and if you don't do it correctly they can loosen up. I also don't like going around axles since it leaves the suspension to bounce the entire time, but that's only opinion/prefrence. The good thing with chains and binders is they are very strong, and have a million and one uses.



It's hard finding straps and connectors/binders/carabiners with a good strength in conventional stores, HF like mentioned is your best friend, IF you have one nearby. I think you're over thinking the "closed hook" thing too much, chains and binders have been used religiously forever, and those don't lock, they just slide into the links, and are held by tension.

I just like straps because they're lighter, smaller, cheaper and do the job just as well. If you want them to last, you just have to be careful on how you connect them. Chains on the other hand last forever, can wrap it around anything, are stronger, bit more of an upfront investment.
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I would never go around anything but my axles, that is the most secure method to the trailer deck.
 
mr250twostroke said:
I would never go around anything but my axles, that is the most secure method to the trailer deck.
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Yeah, and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer or method. We all do what we feel is right and works for us. Honestly probably the only reason I prefer above suspension is cause that's how I was taught in the Army, and that's how military vehicles are secured for rail head, trailers, or aircraft.

My buddy always goes around axles, we banter back and forth. He does axles and chains, I do straps and frame. Always trying to convince the other to do it our way :haha: Neither of us have ever had a problem or accidents doing it our own ways.
 
I have another issue though.. how might this affect your guys decision here... my truck is old and needs a ton of TLC.. it's been sitting for years.

The tires are bad and I don't have the money to replace them right now. If the tires deflate suddenly and the ties aren't locked in place they could come loose no?
 
To each his own. Your a huge minority with your method... infact, I never see people try to compress the suspension of there rig versus 4 tires... :confused: I'm certainly not questioning your military experience though.
 
The U-Haul trailer comes with some over the wheel tie downs but the max size is 30" tires and I have 32s
 
ZombieBlazer said:
I have another issue though.. how might this affect your guys decision here... my truck is old and needs a ton of TLC.. it's been sitting for years.

The tires are bad and I don't have the money to replace them right now. If the tires deflate suddenly and the ties aren't locked in place they could come loose no?
Click to expand...

I understand your reasoning, and it does make sense. Do what you feel is right, try to find a strap with a closed hook. Lots of good info here from different sides of the same story, all of them work.

Chain or strap, open or closed hook, if that were to happen and the tension was no longer there, to an extent it wouldn't matter if the hooks were secure. If the chain/strap is secured to the trailer and the vehicle, but there's slack because a tire popped, the only real benefit would be that the strap wouldn't dangle somewhere, on the road perhaps. And that is a very good benefit.

Either way it's no longer doing it's job, so as far as keeping it on the trailer even a small amount of slack, a few inches or so from a flat tire, would create a dangerous situation. Which is why I think something we can usually always agree upon, is 4 points of contact, chains or straps. If one releases on the front or rear, you still have another. That's why we stop and check periodically on long hauls. Most things you read will tell you to stop after so long, perhaps 15-30 minutes/miles from the start of the trip and check your rigging. Cause if it hasn't loosened up by then, it probably won't. But you should still check when you stop for gas, eat, pee...etc.

mr250twostroke said:
To each his own. Your a huge minority with your method... infact, I never see people try to compress the suspension of there rig versus 4 tires... :confused: I'm certainly not questioning your military experience though.
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I definitely know I'm the minority. But hey at least I'm not saying chains and axles are bad or wrong :D I've seen it work a million times, cause well, it does.
 
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