No, not a religious topic. Well, maybe to some.

To cross or not cross your tiedowns. Here's a video from Mac's showing why you shouldn't do it.

What say you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...&utm_content=graphic

I cross mine in the rear. I have the length re determined and I winch the car in. So I place the straps and then winch the car the rest of the way in to tighten the straps. This prevents the X wanting to give if I stop fast. Nothing is touching the straps so there is nothing causing premature wear. My Golf cart is in front of my car and the nose of the car has never touched the cart. I feel crossing gives more stability and holds the car firmer. Wasn't real impressed with his vid and it seemed it wound up trying to sell another of his product's. Don't forget to use a bladder on a drag car, you'll wear those shocks out fast pulling long distances with it bouncing up and down.

I cross mine, both front and back, the strap hooks on the car are less than 18 inches apart, it's not going anywhere. Like Ferny, been doing it that way since the late '50's, no car I've ever towed has moved sideways.

(1) Another comment about the car moving sideways. If both straps broke (which is highly unlikely) the trailer foot boxes would stop my car long before the body would hit the side of the trailer, the rear tires would contact the foot boxes first and stop the car from going any further.

(2) I don't tow like I'm driving a road race car. 55 is my absolute top speed towing. I'n not planning on visiting a ditch anytime soon because of a blown-out tire

Bob

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RPROGAS,

Never had a problem crossing mine. Some of the stuff he pionts out is just plain old common sense!! Not that is a lot of that left these days!

Can't we debate pinion angle instead?

Always 4 straps, never cross them. Stop frequently and check the straps. I've seen a crossed rear strap fail and when they opened the trailer the car was against the wall of the trailer.

4 straps and I cross the rear. I position them up against the center section so they are already all the way in.

I cross the rear so if the trailer ever starts to whip around it wont sling the back of the car off the trailer. (at least thats my reason on why to cross them)

Been crossing them for 50 years and never had an issue. Pinion angle should be 2.5 to 4 degrees down. So there....LOL

I have a place in the center of the front cross member where I hook 2 straps, 1 to the left and one to the right. In the back I run a strap through the bottom of the ladder bars with one end hooked to the left and one to the right. It works. Used to go over the front of the center section in the rear and under the axel housing. That worked good to. Went over the slicks on dragsters and a bladder underneath in the middle. That worked also. I have only raced a short time, still learning.

Sometimes I cross the back, sometimes I don’t. Front frame has factory holes that line up perfect with the tie downs, so it’s always straight.
Usually only cross the back when there happens to be a “cross-strapper” hanging around when I’m loading up. “Cross-Strappers” are generally make more of a fuss about how something is strapped than straight strappers.
I don’t think it really matters- what matters to me more is the condition of my straps and what they are hooked to.
Now all the “Cross-Strappers” are going to come “Out of the Trailer” and call me a cross-strapaphobe..before you know it they’ll have a flag and a parade and all that good stuff..

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
Can't we debate pinion angle instead?

Only if circumstances DO NOT include ring gears of 360 degree circumference.

Rim screws? Yes or No Leave comments below

The only way straight is better is if the tie down is very short. If it is long the car will still move enough to find the wall of the trailer.

Have always cross tied and never issue.Even in a wreck that had back of trailer bent down cpl inches,car was still in same spot.

I did notice that at end of video he had a piece for sale that would keep car from moving sideways. Maybe influenced his thoughts?

quote:

The only way straight is better is if the tie down is very short. If it is long the car will still move enough to find the wall of the trailer.

I think what he is saying is that the straight straps will still be pulling straight but if one of the crossed straps gets loose then it will tend to pull the car towards one side or the other whereas the straight strap would continue to pull straight.

What part of the truth and facts do you not understand??? Sorry, I just had to throw that statement out there in memory of someone who was banned.

Thanks Verne, some of us needed a good laugh.

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer:
I have only raced a short time, still learning.

I don't always use a trailer, but when I do, I cross them in the back. Take care. Tom Worthington

I don't cross anything on my racecar, a dragster would not look cool tied down like a door car. When i was in the doorcar world, i did cross front and rear but never used loops over the axle or the cross member because i always had places to hook the end of the ratchet strap and didn't need the loops.

Pinion angle should be -5 to -7 for traction bars, -3 to -5 for ladder bars, -2 to -1 for 4 link.

No rim screws (this includes, goodyear, hoosier, M/T, radials and bias plys).

Why use straps? Just put it in park.

Phil,

A hundred years ago a Pontiac racer by the name of Ramon Lowe did just that. Put it in park and set the emergency brake. It never came off the trailer as far as I know.