Doug, at this point it's about belief, not logic with the X folks. Just like with religion, no amount of logic can change someone's belief. It's a valiant effort you have put forth!
Sorry I only went through half a mechanical engineering degree. I'm sure they would have covered this subject had I finished. That argument "if you lose one strap, it's worse" is arguing a different point in time - after/when/if you lose one. if you don't lose one, you have more lateral stability. I had a first hand occurrence and I almost lost my Jeep and trailer and perhaps more becuase I had mine going straight. I won't do that again and I hope you get just as lucky as I did should you have a close encounter.
What are safety clips?
I'm using the wrong term. My apologies. Mac calls them snap hooks:
I'm surprised Doug is now preaching strap to the axle...
I grab the bumpers and pull out all down but you do have to check and tighten. It does bounce if I grab the axles. Grabbing the bumpers also means lower in the wind.
I am not a mechanical engineer, so what I consider logical for this may not actually be logical! I can see where the arch of the straps, regardless of whether they are crossed or straight, would impact the amount of downward pressure on the axles (and thus the tires).
Don, when your Jeep about fell off, was there any slack in either strap (while still attached) after it happened?
Airing up the tires will help avoid what Don mentioned/experienced, since the low air pressure allows some give in the tires and pressurized tires will not have as much give/flex.
My tires were aired up.
Mac says to ensure 1 full wrap on the straps or they will slightly come loose and you'll have to tighten them as you go. I used to not follow that and mine would be slightly loose at stops. Since following it that better mine have not been coming loose.
I consider safety clips crucial. You should buy some for your safety and others. It's hard to argue against liability if something happens when they cost 100-200 and you have much more in the Jeep/tow setup and spend that routinely on other things for the Jeep. Just my opinion. I'm sure it could be said about other things also.
Tires provide a lot of resistance. I bet you could go a long way with no straps if you didn't make sudden movements or hit curbs.
We could say - well don't jump curbs. I didn't jump the whole thing, just enough to throw the trailer off axis a bit. The reason for straps isn't for when nothing happens - it's for when something does. e.g. hitting a curb you didn't see.
Agreed!
Topic: Securing your Rig on a trailer discussion (Read 2946 times)
