Putting the Taco on a Trailer?

I'm used to tying down solid axle Jeeps, straps over the axles, crossed in back.

What is the method for attaching the Tacoma to a trailer?

 

Maybe look into something like this?

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towing-Auto-Hauling/Wheel-Nets-Auto-Car-Tie-Downs

 

My trailer doesn't have the tie downs for wheel straps. There are two front, two back, inboard of the tires.

Does nobody really trailer their Taco?

 

Can you loop around the frame on the front? Then along the rear axle.

 

From the front I started at a D-ring inboard of the tires and about below the front bumper, e.g. forward of the A-arms. I took the extra long strap through the A on the same side over the back arm (1)

Then across the skid plate and from the back through the middle of the opposite arm (2)

The truck was too low for the ratchet hook, so it was removed and the ratchet attached directly to the D-ring (3)



The strap route really makes the most sense with the shape of the arms and the factory skid plate. It keeps everything flat, away from sharp edges and slides nicely to tighten both sides.

In back I removed the two bolts holding the brake line closest to the pumpkin, and looped an axle strap on each side of the pumpkin, under the now loose brake line. I then crossed the back straps.

I also added an "oh shit" strap that went from one of the taco's safety chain loop to one of the rear D-rings- just a double hook strap with no ratchet. I figure if all else fails, that might at least keep the truck with the trailer.

I parked the truck in lo and put it in N to tighten the straps, then back in P when positioned. The worst part was Dukes of Hazzarding through the window because the enclosed didn't offer much door space.

 

What are you using to pull the trailer?

 

No - the Taco is usually the one doing the towing. It would not be a good thing if Taco owners were used to getting their trucks towed.

You should NEVER cross straps. What happens if one fails? yep thats right... it pulls to one side.

Here is how the pro's do it......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=btRWr3OO-hs

 

The Tacoma :mindblown:

 

I've been trailering for years and always cross my rears- walking over on straight straps is a lot more likely than failure, and for a good quality good condition strap or tie point to fail would pretty much require a wreck in which case it hardly matters that it shifts to one side.

And if one strap just pulled it to one side, then the vehicle would jump as you release the first strap no?

I'm not telling you what to do, I just think throwing out NEVER because of what might happen in a rare instance (strap failure) is a little harsh when the cross is intended to prevent the more likely shifting sideways of the vehicle due to bouncing load.

Either way I think it's splitting hairs, and won't matter except in the finer physics of a wreck, which couldn't be predicted anyway. I mean we're not talking about orange harbor freight 1" ratchet straps here- which I did see a vehicle on an open trailer secured with: and only two of them.

There is scary dumb shit out there- I don't think crossing or not crossing your straps is in that category.

 

It is a never ending debate and if you aren't going the believe one of the most trusted brands of vehicle straps regarding how they should be used Ill shut up about cross vs strait if both are done right....

The main problem with the "X" method is it's harder to do correctly

....if you cross straps and they touch each other that's a huge no no or if the "X" isn't to the width of the wheels the geometry is bad.

Your tie downs look very very close to each other so I would definitely go strait in that instance.


In closing............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YkqxZFNOkWQ