Does it damage the shocks to compress them for a long time when you ratchet them tightly down?

 

While I am not a big fan of ratchet tie downs, I've had my bikes & quads tied down very snugly with no ill effects sometimes for as long as a week with no ill effects. It is possible to over compress shocks or forks which may have seals on the verge of leaking, I suppose. I really see no need to use ratchets in the first place as standard Ancra tie downs can hold in the roughest terrain here in the rock garden of AZ.

 

Zman, I have small wood blocks I lay under the skid plate so that I can ratchet down tight. This way I don't compress the springs or the shocks.
If you keep a spring compressed too long at a time it will loose some of its rate. Shock damage can also take place.

Above all else, specially where you live, tie down well. D.O.T. where you live as well as where I am frown big time on unsecured or poorly secured loads.

 

<< Zman, I have small wood blocks I lay under the skid plate so that I can ratchet down tight. This way I don't compress the springs or the shocks.
If you keep a spring compressed too long at a time it will loose some of its rate. Shock damage can also take place.

Above all else, specially where you live, tie down well. D.O.T. where you live as well as where I am frown big time on unsecured or poorly secured loads. >>



So you run the loops low on the frame and bring it down on the blocks? I'll give it a try. Thanks.

 

<< [i]

<< So you run the loops low on the frame and bring it down on the blocks? I'll give it a try. Thanks. >>




Exactly! Angle your straps foreward on the front and rearward on the rear
or either the opposite direction to keep it from trying to roll as you brake and accelerate. Make your blocks tall enough that you have to lift the bike slightly to get them under.