securing equipment on trailers

[MikeLT1Z28]

for those with open trailers, do you chain/strap your stuff down? a friend of mine on the local sheriff's dept was commenting on how i needed to get a heavy duty strap or chain to tie my walker to the trailer. i asked why and he said if i had a wreck, my fault or not, and the mower somehow came off the trailer, if someone hit it or it hit them, i could be sued.

what do you guys use?

[darryl gesner]

I used to only strap my WB down if I was going to take the expressway. However, after hearing a few stories on this board, I now take the extra time to secure my WB and push mower every time. I used a ratchet-type nylon tie-down strap. They're not expensive. You can get at any hardware or auto parts store. Make sure you get them heavy duty enough for the load. The only thing I secure in my truck bed in my blower using a bungee so it doesn't slide around.

[SLS]

I use ratchet-type nylon straps on the ZTR and W/B to keep them from 'hopping around' due to bumps and potholes. I also use thick logging chains w/ heavy Master locks to deter would be thieves.

All handheld equipment and gas containers have a thick "Kryptonite" plastic-coated steel cable tying them together...and locked with a Master lock.

The trailer itself is locked to the truck.

It seems that most of the thieves who steal lawn equipment are of the chickensh*t, 'snatch-and-run', variety...so anything to hinder them is better than nothing at all.

Everything goes into the locked, alarm-equipted garage (at my home) at night.

Several guys who don't lock their stuff down has lost it to 'drive-by' thieves in my area...mostly blowers and trimmers...typical "pawn shop fodder'. :angry:

It is sort of a PITA locking and unlocking stuff all day...but not as bad as going for your EB7000...only to realize that it has suddenly 'disappeared'.

[mdb landscaping]

http://www.green-touch.com/item81423.ctlg

i use this on my walkbehind because i dont take it off a lot. i usually dont strap down my ztr, but these wheel clamps come in real handy. you can put them on quickly and take them off quickly

[lawnkid]

I've seen guys just wrap a chain arouund one of the railings on an open trailer, drill a holle on the side of their caster arms and hook up the chain through the hole on the caster. It's simple, inexpensive, and does the job.

[GLS]

I use a 2" heavy duty nylon ratchet strap that are about $20 a piece. I hook it onto 5000 lbs. floor anchors (which I found for $9). It works pretty good.

I wouldn't use those 1" nylon tie downs (especially the pull-to-tighten kind). I have had them break.

Here is a pic of what I use:

[sdwally]

We weld on D-rings to our equipment and use system 7 rated chain(DOT requirement for chain). Ratcheting straps are also a good way to go, however buy high quality straps, some straps from other countries may say they are rated to a certain load, but fail to meet those load ratings when tested.
FYI, if you can not find a rating stamp on chain(about every 7 links) or if it is damaged; it will not qualify as a rated chain. For straps, they must have a load rating tag sewn in to the strap and be free of any nicks, cuts, or abraisions to qualify as a rated strap.