Equipment sliding on trailer

[down to earth lawn]

In Jan this year, I started using a 16ft trailer, replacing my old 12ft. I never strapped my 52' Exmark down and never had any problems with it moving. Since using the 16ft I have had trouble with the mower moving aroung on the trailer. With the dual axle and the heavier weight of the trailer I had assumed everything would ride better. Even my 36 stander and small push mower that is strapped donwn seem to move more now. Any ideas??

[topsites]

I train myself by setting an empty 1-wheel wheelbarrow upright dead center in the trailer, unsecured, then I go for a drive.
If it moves, I lose.
If it tips over, I'm fired.

For this to work, a light foot on the throttle, 6-8 seconds distance from the car in front, and let off the gas early and coast to a stop.

Today none of my stuff ever moves, all I do is set the parking brake, I've even forgotten to do that and sometimes it doesn't even move then, other times it moves a little... But the days of a machine slamming into the front or the back of my trailer are long gone, straps or not I got tired of it, all it takes is one time I'd forget to strap it down, no more of that for me.

[lawnman_scott]

Put everything in its place on the trailer. Then screw 2x4s to the floor where the back tires are. With the brakes set and the tires blocked like this it should be ok. And a 2x4 is no problem to go over for the mower.

[RedMax Man]

blocking infront and back of drive wheels will definitly help.

[N.H.BOY]

not really sure why you dont strap down?? I thow a strap on every piece of my equiment..

[GLLawns]

Considering it's the law in most states to have all equipment secured/strapped down to the trailer I'd suggest doing that. I have heard other guys in my area say they got hefty fines from DOT inspections on the highway for not being strapped down. I recently bought some Fastraps for my equipment, and they are awesome. All you do is drive into the 2 chocks that mount on the trailer deck, put straps over back wheels, and flip the latch down. Takes no more then 10 seconds and your Dot compliant.

[Chilehead]

Put everything in its place on the trailer. Then screw 2x4s to the floor where the back tires are. With the brakes set and the tires blocked like this it should be ok. And a 2x4 is no problem to go over for the mower.

This is exactly what I did. Works like a charm!:laugh:

[IN2MOWN]

Tie downs around the casters attached to the side railings on the trailer.

Always make sure things are secure from the mowers to the catchers to the blowers.

[MarcSmith]

why any one would not strap down their $8,000 mower is beyond me....Prevent damage to the equipment and possible to others on the road.

You can never plan for the big accident when they happen, you just need to be ready.

[Tim Wright]

If anything should happen and the equipment comes off the trailer, you will get life up the river.

Tie it down.

If DOT spots you it will be big time fines. It needs to be tied down in front and back = 4 point on the trailer.

Tie it down.

Tim

[HBLandscaping]

I've never seen anyone in my area tie down their equipment. I past on a daily basic anywhere from 10 - 20 lawn companies a day and have yet to see any tie downs. Either MD doesnt enforce this or you dont have to....Either way its a surprise to me knowing how the state of MD works. Im guessing if MD has this and enforces it then I'd see everyone with tie downs.