Posted by Keith in Washington on Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 16:42:00 :
In Reply to: Drape the axles to protect the straps posted by Mark in NJ on Friday, January 05, 2007 at 16:06:28 :
I use both straps and chains.
Straps.
I use straps on all four corners goting to the axle. I uses a short pice of chain to go over the axle and place it outboard of the spring perch. The chan has an anchor chain connector at each end (this makes a chain loop arounf the alxe which will take a little paint off the axle). I pass the hook through these connectors. On the other end of the strap I do one of two things. The first is that have short piece of chain on the other end of the strap. It has a chain hook on one end and another anchor chain connector. I hooke the strap to the connector then the hook goes on the frame of the trailer just like in Paul's picture. I also have large loops weled to the trailer frame. I sometime hook the strap striaght to these.
I use straps that have the twisted hooks at the ends.
I also put chains on at least two corners. They either go to the frame or again to the axle. I use DOT approved chain and binders. On short runs I may not use the chins but always have a safety chain on the front and rear axles in case a strap lets loose. I will not trust my truck to straps alone. There will be chains on it.
The biggest problem with straps is wear if you loop it around anything. That is why i use chains at the end of the. Never worry about cutting into a strap.
I also cross my staps. I have loops on my frame front and back. They are located at the corners with 2 additional loops about 1/4 the way in. I normally use the ones about 1/4th in for the straps. This crosses the straps but keeps the angel of the straps reasonable. I use the corner loops on the frame for the chains.
Doing what I do I never have had any problem. The first time I used straps only with a loose safety chain, the straps streached and I had to tighten thins up several times. Once I put chains on the corners, I never have to tighten anything. I do check everytime I stop.
I also replace my straps every few years as they do show signs of wear from being streached tight. Do not get cheap straps. Get good ones that are designed for the job.