Tie down straps

Zed Zed

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Recommendation req for tie down straps please , I could be collecting a airhead on a trailer and need straps to hold it on. Any help please:okay
 
FWIW
No matter how tight I’d strapped bikes down and despite the obligatory saying “Right that’ll never move”, the straps always use to loosen after a couple of miles

I now use screw caribiners (sp?), similar to these, with my trailer straps, they go through the triangle in the hooks then onto the trailer to make it impossible for them to pop off over bumps etc.
 
I use the type that whilst acting like normal ratchet straps are also like seat belts so they tighten up rather than loosen up. I got mine from Motolegends.
 
If you are mounting it vertical and if possible put some wood with something to protect the paint under the bottom of the frame. Pull down the bike onto the wood with ratchet strap so the bike is not bouncing around on the suspension, that way no shock loads on the straps and will not come loose.
 
If you are mounting it vertical and if possible put some wood with something to protect the paint under the bottom of the frame. Pull down the bike onto the wood with ratchet strap so the bike is not bouncing around on the suspension, that way no shock loads on the straps and will not come loose.

Good one! So obvious.


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and a tie wrap to keep the front brake on.
 
Cheap 1” wide ratchet straps, never had a problem with motorbikes or much heavier things.
 
I use re-usable tie-wraps to secure the ratchet-strap tails to the web straps - to stop them flapping loose.

Also use them to keep the tow-hitch security wire snugged in so that if required- it ain’t gonna jump clear and be no use.

The anti-theft housing that goes over the tow-hitch release - prevents the handle from jumping too.
 
If you end up with straps that have open ended hook I would recommend getting a bunch of tie wraps and last thing tie wrap the hook to the eye (usually part of the trailer) to stop it becoming unhooked if tension is lost going over a bump.

Also check out Youtube for tutorials on ratchet straps.... can be a bit of a mind warp for the uninitiated. Attached are recommendations from owners manual for securing a hexhead.
 

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FWIW
No matter how tight I’d strapped bikes down and despite the obligatory saying “Right that’ll never move”, the straps always use to loosen after a couple of miles

I now use screw caribiners (sp?), similar to these, with my trailer straps, they go through the triangle in the hooks then onto the trailer to make it impossible for them to pop off over bumps etc.

FYI: You'd be better off using a Maillon, like this. https://rockrun.com/collections/maillons/products/maillon-standard-stainless-8mm which has a 55KN force whereas a screwgate carabiner has half that or close to it at 28knm. The screw gate carabiner is more to stop the rope from accidently opening the clip when a rope passes through it. Yes it's a safety device but would usually work in tandem with other protection. The maillon is more of a permanent solution for tensioning.
 
You need nothing more than this type - you're not trying to moor a supertanker.

As to running a strop across the swing-arm on a BMW (prev post) - that really does nothing to prevent the bike from lateral forces during cornering.
 

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^^^^ That.

Don’t strap the suspension down, unless you want to fuck it up. Strap the wheels down, in a chock. Then a couple of straps to hold it upright.

Cue howls of fury and disdain ....


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^^^^ That.

Don’t strap the suspension down, unless you want to fuck it up. Strap the wheels down, in a chock. Then a couple of straps to hold it upright.

Cue howls of fury and disdain ....


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Had a frustrated french tour a few years ago. Bike Shuttle shipped my GSA to Geneva. Strapped it down so hard on the suspension it blew one seal and the other was seeping. A wasted morning and a trip to local BMW repair shop. They fitted new seals and charged me a hefty fee only to discover they were the wrong seals. Leaked the whole trip

So don't strap the bikes down too hard. As said, it's the side to side front to back momentum you need to stop mainly. My 10 cents.


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