Hey Guys,
I was wondering how you guys with the 850xp strap it down to your trailer. I have 10x12 Trailer with four U bolts at each corner to connect to. I used the Ratchet tie downs my first time around and it was an experience, one broke (not strong enough), others kept loosening up. I went out and purchased a heavier duty set and im going riding tomorrow so I would like to try a different method.

Please share..

 

Pull it on the trailer,set parking brake. 2 straps to the front tow ring 2 on the rear holes for safety chains. Tighten straps evenly just enough to take out the slack. Release parking brake and tighten straps down evenly, as tight as you want them,they don't have to be super tight. Reset parking brake,and put in park if you prefer. After a few miles re-check straps and tighten as needed. Personally I don't stop to re-tighten,or even check them,unless I am stopping for something else..
I don't have a problem with them loosening...because the key IMO is tightening them evenly and without resistance from the brakes or being in park....they can only loosen if you don't tighten them evenly,ie if tighten one corner all the way at a time or if the strap stretches(which isn't the case 99% of the time unless it is a new strap)
Get each straps slack out before tightening them and then tighten each a little at a time evenly...sounds like alot of work but once you get the hang of it it goes quick and not issues with loosening...

 

Carefull of the atv tie down on the 850 front. Several reports of loop breaking.

 

If the front loop is failing strapping the machine down they are doing something wrong IMO
You don't have to crank the straps down extremely tight...that is why you 4 point it....each strap counteracts another..
Also obviously don't pull straight down on the loop....
Unless there are some defective loops/welds?
I hooked the winch cable to the loop many times using a ****** block pulling loads heavier than the machine with no issues

Are u sure you aren't confusing the safety chain holes on the back? I have heard of 1 guy ripping 1 of those on a loaner machine

 

I heard that using the winch for tie down for long travel is not wise do to undue stree on the drum of the Winch motor. Any truth to that? I also use the 4 point tie down rule. And I will tell ya that I have had straps loosen, straps break etc. I also loop around my wire rope with Master Contractor lock around the neck of the trailer rails for theft (for stop offs etc.) and to secure the front in addition to the straps.

I agree DON'T overtighten the straps!

Regards,

R'

 

I don't use the winch..mainly because it can creep...
If you 4 point it properly and get the straps evenly tight they can not loosen unless they stretch...done properly as the machine tries to move in on direction the strap on the opposite side holds it in place....if you have one or multiple straps tighter than others the machine will tend to migrate towards the tighter straps as you hit bumps...and that is when you get "loosening" of straps
If a strap breaks under normal travel it is either too small,too old/worn or the straps are unlevenly loaded putting too much stress on a single strap..JMO
If you don't get it just right and the straps loosen a little,then get in the habit of stopping a few miles after you load and snug up the loose straps...you shouldn't have to do that but once.
The straps are there for extra safety,99% of the time you could just set the brakes and it wouldn't jump out of the trailer..the straps IMO just hold the machine from hopping during bumps,and maybe slow down the missle during a crash...so they don't have to be super tight and if they loosen a little they will still keep it on the trailer...they don't have to keep the machine perfectly still...in a crash of any real magnitude all bets are off anyway IMO...chances that the straps hold the machine on the trailer are 50/50 at best,heck you"ll be lucky if the trailer stays attached to the tow vehicle. Hopefully they slow it down some...and even if they are a little loose they will still do what they are going to do for the most part... 30-40Gs....800# machine...you do the math..

 

I agree 100% with your logic HO.....If I could just add I like to tighten the straps enough to compress the suspension a little as to not let bumps in the road loosen them....I also loop my winch line around the front of my trailer slightly loose just as an extra last precaution in case some how the front straps fail...JMO.....

John

 

I prefer to tie mine down by the tires; http://www.bulldogatv.com/components...bdf6e773e1.jpg

One day I'll buy these, but for now, I just use ratchet straps over the tires (the tire lug is plenty deep to keep the strap from sliding off so far).

 

Yeah tire bonnets are supposed to be the best way because they let the machines suspension work. A buddy of mine uses them and they seem to work very well. But for some reason most people still use straps,myself included. Maybe it is because of the cost of the bonnets and the fact that straps have multiple uses.

 

If your atv is bouncing on the truck or trailer - SLOW DOWN !