The roads of Michigan are not always smooth and knowing a few tie down tips for your trailer would be useful. The last thing you want is to lose your cargo because it goes bouncing off. You love your new trailer and cannot wait to get to using it. However, as you are loading, you find yourself wondering the best way to tie down your cargo.

 

Tie Down Tips: Understanding Tie Downs

The concept is relatively simple: use a strap or a chain to hold down your cargo or equipment to your cargo trailer. However, there is a science to doing it right so everything remains secure.

First, the location of your cargo is important. You want to center it on your trailer, so it is not closer to the front or back. Likewise, you want to center it left to right to help prevent it from causing an odd pull on your car.

If you are hauling a static load, such as wood, boxes, or things like that, then you want to use cargo straps across the cargo itself. You then attach it to the sides of the trailer and tighten it down. A ratcheting strap is best to achieve the tension you will need.

If you are transporting a vehicle or larger equipment of some form, you want to strap it to the corners of the trailer. You will want to use either heavy-duty straps or chains, depending on the equipment you are hauling. When you do, a good rule of thumb is the four corners method. You secure the four corners of the vehicle to the four corners of the trailer.

The only caveat is that you want to criss-cross the corners. So your vehicle’s front right corner to the back left corner of the trailer. Doing this provides countering tension so your equipment is less likely to move while traveling throughout Michigan.

Cargo Straps or Chains

So the big question is whether you should use straps or chains. This is going to be in part dependent on your trailer, but more importantly the weight of your cargo. If you are hauling something no larger than a regular passenger vehicle, then regular cargo straps should work. Likewise, as mentioned previously, if you are laying your strap over your cargo then straps are best.

However, if you are transporting equipment that is heavier than a normal vehicle, then you may want to consider using chains. In either way, you will want to use a ratcheting binder to ensure it has the proper tension.

How to Secure Straps to Your Trailer

When it comes to securing your load to your trailer, you want to ensure the anchors are securely fastened to the frame of the trailer. One common system is the e-track, which allows you more flexibility where the anchor points are located.

 

The other option is a standard D-ring. Thee can be bolted or welded to the frame, but are in place. These are commonly mounted along the front or bac                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         k of the trailer, usually near the corners.