How are you strapping down your car?
 

All the factory tow points have been removed from the car and spec tow hooks added but you can't use them to secure the car on a trailer. I have been routing axle straps through my wheels to strap it down but an starting to think that is messing with my alinement. How are you all strapping down your cars on your trailers?

I have been using the front and rear sub-frame braces as my tie down points.

At the drag strip, I actually remove the braces after I unload the car and reinstall them when I am ready to load the car back on the trailer. They are just unnecessary weight at the drag strip.

i used to go through my rear wheels, and I used the front hoop on my tube from with the bumper off, that doesn't apply to most thought.

I put the tow hooks back on to tow it with. If they were good enough for it getting tossed around on the open ocean for 7000 miles and getting slammed around by some union crane jock, they're good enough for a trailer with suspension.

If I had a trailer with e-track I would use e-track loops over the wheels.

I can install e-track, was thinking about that.

Since I drift, I feel that there is no reason to strap my car down. I just pull on the 3' extended e brake handle and if it falls off the trailer, f^ck it. It'll look better with accidental damage than it will after my drift "race".

I'm using U-Haul trailers, they have straps over the front tires. I'm assuming two things:
1. This allows the car's suspension to handle the weight of the car.
2. Any stresses from bumps on the trailer, with it's suspension, is much less than hitting a curb on track at 70 mph.

I strap through the wheels. As EricJ mentions, the suspension is allowed to work without "working" the straps. Some folks are concerned that this will upset alignment, I can't really speak to that. Savington mentioned that he straps this way and the alignment does not move here: Miata tie down points on trailer [Archive] - MX-5 Miata Forum

robert

Through the wheels here. No problems ever. I also do not keep my car in gear, heard from a spec miata racer years ago that bouncing and rocking can blow the first gear in trans if you keep it gear. Don't know if that's true but never wanted to risk it!

In my mind over the wheels is just holding the car down with out any side to side force. Through the wheels your putting directional force on the edge of the wheel away from the car. It's like putting your car in a vice and pulling the alignment and/or toe out of whack.

Now that could not be the case as I'm over thinking it and/or the alignment, toe set points are a lot stronger than I think.

Slightly off-topic, but I'm renting a U-Haul for the NASA event next weekend... what do you tow that setup with?

Over the tyres here too (around the tread, not across it).

All our racecars are strapped down like this:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1391428126

2013 F-150 Ecoboost w/ HD Payload and Max Tow. 11,300 tow capacity w/ 2,580 payload.
Get the 7 or 7.5. The fender folds down lower so you can open the Miata's door. The 6.5 is 2 inches taller. The trailers weigh 2,100lbs. My Miata is around 2,200 lbs. For a total of 4,300 lbs. But make sure you tell them you have a 8,000 lb hitch.

Take your big money and get the fuck out of my thread. Poverty tower with 2000 1/2 ton suburban.

I loop long axle straps through the wheels when there is no good tie down point. The straps have soft sleeves over them to prevent wheel damage. I have never caused an alignment problem or scratched wheels with this method.

When there are no good tie down points I use the lower a arms front and rear, never had a problem that way for over 10 years and thousands of miles. With any form of strap always check them quickly within 30 miles. I use the big yellow industrial ratchets with no problems. Never, ever, even for a lawn mower, use those motorcycle slip cam straps. They have failed every time I've seen someone use them.

Cam straps aren't suitable for holding down a car, but I use them all the time for dirtbikes and what not, never an issue. You have to make sure that the suspension is fully compressed or has a "shock saver" properly installed. I personally have never used a shock saver, and have never had a bike come loose or blown a fork seal.