Trailering my 84 diesel...

[MrSchaeferPants]

I am looking at the chain and binder route and that seems pretty steep... the chains with hooks I am looking at are 30 dollars each x 4 plus the binders..

Would these binders be strong enough? 5400 lb Is that legit?

http://www.harborfreight.com/5400-lb-capacity-heavy-duty-non-ratcheting-load-binder-36022.html

Yeah, another reason I use straps, chains and binders are expensive. Last chain I bought was 5/16 or 3/8 link at 5400lbs I think, 14' about $50-60. Times that by 4 and add binders and it gets expensive, but on a good note, it should last you the rest of your life, and your childrens... and their children. Straps don't, but they're cheap. You can get some nice grade 70 3/8 chain with about 6600 working load for cheaper, $40 or so, but when I bought mine, I was in a hurry, need it then and there, and didn't shop around.

Those binders are plenty strong, I've used the lever style many times, they work just fine, just once you lever it down in place, wrap it with excess chain, zip tie, string, whatever. Those are THE exact ones my buddy has, and uses all the time. Just don't buy the HF turnbuckle style, they will let you down. Actually maybe this is what is refered to as ratcheting, I call it turnbuckle. These specific ones, I've had problems with the threads slipping after many uses. My buddy got those cause he saw "ratcheting" thought you could ratchet the handle back and forth, but it wasn't like that, it was like a giant spanner wrench, had to remove the handle, and turn, remove, turn. Maybe this one's different.
http://www.harborfreight.com/5400-lb-ratcheting-load-binder-with-handle-66889.html

What I think of ratcheting, is like what semi trailers use on the side, whether it's a strap or a chain, where it has an actual ratchet and gear.

 

[ZombieBlazer]

Thanks for all the help guys.. sorry to be so neurotic.. I am always paranoid doing something the first time. haha

 

[mr250twostroke]

Stay away from the ratcheting style as mentioned if you go the chain route. Also, my chains were under $20 each if my memory serves me, always on sale in their flyers...

 

[mr250twostroke]

Looks like they went up a bit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-14-ft-truckers-chain-97711.html

 

[ZombieBlazer]

Looks like they went up a bit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-14-ft-truckers-chain-97711.html

Thanks!

Is there a way I can use one piece of chain for each wheel or do I need 2 pieces of chain for each wheel? That's how I saw someone do it - 2each wheel.

But I can imagine a way of doing it with just one long chain too.. with the binder creating slack in the chain. I feel so stupid right now. haha Sometimes I need things completely spelled out for me.

 

[mr250twostroke]

I use 1 chain per axle, you'll want to check your laws though. Chain over axle tube, around and under pumpkin and back over other axle tube. Hook ends to each side of trailer. You can kinda see in the pic I posted.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Looks like they went up a bit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-14-ft-truckers-chain-97711.html

I know right! Last chain I bought I was WTF? Hey scrap has gone up, so I guess it makes sense.

Thanks!

Is there a way I can use one piece of chain for each wheel or do I need 2 pieces of chain for each wheel? That's how I saw someone do it - 2each wheel.

But I can imagine a way of doing it with just one long chain too.. with the binder creating slack in the chain. I feel so stupid right now. haha Sometimes I need things completely spelled out for me.

I get paranoid and over think stuff all the time, no biggie. Always better to er on the side of caution right. You only use one chain per binder. Take a look at that picture of the suburban on the trailer. One big chain, the binder connects the ends.

You can do it two ways, in the picture with the suburban, one end goes through the trailer tie down, and hooks to itself, the other side goes around the axle and hooks on the links(or however it is, can't see), the chain binder has the hook head that slides on the links, and it 'sinches' the chain down.

You can also slide the chain through the tie down, over the axle, imagine the chain being a "C" and then hook the binders to the links, and then the chain ends (heads, hooks) aren't doing anything at all. Depends what style heads your chain, and the chain binders have. If the binders have round hooks like a ratchet strap, you have to hook the chain back to itself, create a loop for the binders to grab. If the binders have the chain style (and I know there's a name for that), then it can hook directly to the links.

I needa find a picture with all the different heads. I can't imagine trying to understand this on a forum, and not being able to see it in person.

EDIT: BAM, here's a good write up with a lot of pics. Various methods, equiptment, etc. Notice there's certain pics with axle straps so the ratchet strap doesn't touch anything. http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/summer2008/hauling_your_rig.htm

And this guy's write up is even a lower suspension practicer (non-compression e.g. securing to axle) So I'm not posting biased things lol

 

[mr250twostroke]

You meant to say the binder takes up the slack, the ends attach to the trailer tie down points. *beer smiley*

 

[ZombieBlazer]

I think I got it now!

It takes me awhile sometimes but I get there. haha

 

[ZombieBlazer]

You meant to say the binder takes up the slack, the ends attach to the trailer tie down points. *beer smiley*

Yea.. take up slack AND creating slack all in one.

At least how I am envisioning it using one piece of chain per wheel.

If you guys can watch video this is how I imagine it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxAJtLReMME

Here too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=kfj_c2PiucM&NR=1

 

[ZombieBlazer]

mrschaeferpants, great site you found there thank you.

Thanks for the great explanation too.

I feel a lot better now. Whew

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

You meant to say the binder takes up the slack, the ends attach to the trailer tie down points. *beer smiley*

I'm not good at communicating.

So I find pictures and links lol

 

[ZombieBlazer]

I'm not good at communicating.

So I find pictures and links lol

It's nearly impossible to explain some things in writing. You did a great job.

 

[ZombieBlazer]

Here is a picture of a Uhaul trailer.. those little eyelets look really flimsy!!

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=302635&stc=1&d=1320352537

 

[mr250twostroke]

Here is a picture of a Uhaul trailer.. those little eyelets look really flimsy!!

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=302635&stc=1&d=1320352537

Is that what your using? See the tire straps up front? 1 chain and binder for the rear axle and your good. Whats the trailer rating?

 

[ZombieBlazer]

Is that what your using? See the tire straps up front? 1 chain and binder for the rear axle and your good. Whats the trailer rating?

This isn't the actual one I am using just ones I found pics of.

I think the trailer holds up to 6000lbs. The straps that come with it are only 30" and my tires are 32". I might be able to eek it out but don't want to risk not having a backup plan.

 

[mr250twostroke]

This isn't the actual one I am using just ones I found pics of.

I think the trailer holds up to 6000lbs. The straps that come with it are only 30" and my tires are 32". I might be able to eek it out but don't want to risk not having a backup plan.

Ah ok. I have never used a uhaul trailer but 6k with a diesel Blazer is something I wouldn't do, long distance especially. Could it be 7500k trailer? You should check on that 1st, maybe see if they rent 10k...

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

This isn't the actual one I am using just ones I found pics of.

I think the trailer holds up to 6000lbs. The straps that come with it are only 30" and my tires are 32". I might be able to eek it out but don't want to risk not having a backup plan.

Be careful and do some research. Tire size and straps may not be the only problem. I don't know what you're towing with, but a lot of U-hauls you're hauling anything other than a smart car with their trailers, won't let you haul things, and say if you have anything less than a 1 ton it can't be hauled Think it's a liability thing.

Also keep in mind, I'm ASSUMING by the pic, it doesn't have a trailer brake, I know that's a generic picture, but I've personally never seen a nice quality trailer at u-haul or any of those places with nice tandem axle trailers with electronic braking. Blazers are heavy man, be careful, you said you're going far.

 

[ZombieBlazer]

Ah ok. I have never used a uhaul trailer but 6k with a diesel Blazer is something I wouldn't do, long distance especially. Could it be 7500k trailer? You should check on that 1st, maybe see if they rent 10k...

The people at Uhaul said it would work... but I will double check on it. I would think they would probably have big overkill on their ratings for liability reasons.. but who knows.

 

[mr250twostroke]

The people at Uhaul said it would work... but I will double check on it. I would think they would probably have big overkill on their ratings for liability reasons.. but who knows.

Haha... have you met any uHaul people : ) that thing looks like you'd haul a smart car like Mr.Pants said. Trailer brakes are a MUST!!!