Trailer update

[Carls_jeep]

I have now added brakes to the rear axle and now have brakes on both axles. I have also ordered a load leveling hitch to keep it from bobbing up and down on our crappy interstates. I am also looking at buying some axle straps to strap the axle to the trailer and let the Jeep bounce on the springs. That keeps the straps from getting loose when the trailer goes over bumps and rollercoster surfaces. I don't want the Jeep to come off the trailer unless I am in it and the trailer is parked.

[Jesse]

Yeah I can highly endorse axle straps, we have been using them for quite a few trips and it is really the way to go. The straps stay nice and tight.

[Carls_jeep]

Thanks for the endorsement about the straps. My son suggested using them because it allows the Jeep to bounce and the wheels stay on the trailer and the straps tight. I though it was a good idea since our Interstates are not always smooth and I have been coast to coast and north to south.

When I started thinking about all the rough roads I decided to have brakes on both axles and a load leveler hitch and he suggested the axle straps.

[jamesr]

Tell me more about the mounting of axil straps.  Jim

[Carls_jeep]

What they are is a 2" wide, 24" long strap with D rings on each end. You have to use the tie down straps with the safety hooks on the ends to capture the D rings. You can see them on the Summit site by entering axle straps in the search.

[jamesr]

Oh!  Thanks.  I have been strapping the Willys with the axil (watch out for the brake lines), and did not even realize the advantage. Jim

[Carls_jeep]

I got the weight distribution hitch, aka, load leveling hitch Thursday and got it put together and adjusted Friday. Today, Saturday I went on a 100 mile shake down cruse with the Jeep on the trailer.   it was so much better now that I felt real comfortable driving 70 mph on the Interstate. On the two lane roads I felt good at 60 mph so the trip will be a nice run.

I used one strap wrapped around the rear axle and one strap around the front axle to cinch it down and it did well. I am trying to talk myself into spending the $130 plus shipping for the axle strap kit from Summit. It would be safer if one of the four axle straps came loose than using just two ratchet straps.

Geez, this is turning into an expensive operation and I don't know if I will ever use them again. :-/

But, by gum Calvin, the trip is looking real good. I just hope the weather is good the last week of September.  

[F Bill]

Try a chain to the spring bracket on the frame......with a binder. I use the brackets at the rear of the front and the front of the rear springs...to get a little length.  Tighten it enough to compress the spring a little, not so much you are redesigning the frame....I wouldn't trust just two straps on anything with wheels.. Neither does the DOT...  Used chain is cheap at yard sales, and so are binders....and best part is they do not fray or cut when over a sharp edge.  Try to get chain marked as grade 70 if you can find it.. 43 or proof coil isn'treally good stuff, but if large enough it is fine. I recently found some 80 marked chain at a sale for a quarter a foot....I would have bought a mile of it at that price. If you don't want to scratch paint you can use axle straps with chain holddowns too.

Realize this is from a guy who was stopped by the state troopers for a 30 foot long strap dragging behind my trailer one day...  

I'm really glad you got the load equalizing hitch...Isn't it amazing how much better it tows now? Stops and turns are better too.. and your truck thanks you too.

[Carls_jeep]

I have a love hate relationship with chains and boomers. I use them a lot but I like the ratchet strap binders a lot. I guess I will pull the trigger on the kit from Summit but it makes the Scottish side of me cringe.

Yeah I hate it when a strap comes loose and trails behind me. I keep an eye on them all the time and check them every stop. My friend and I have lost hold down straps a few times and some have come loose.

I towed the jeep with the top on and windshield up but when I go to Utah I will drop the top and the windshield and that may help with fuel mileage.

I was impressed at the difference it made on my friends rig so I wasn't to afraid to spend the money for the leveling hitch and it was well worth it. I didn't think about it at the time but to get the  one rated for my load the bars came out the bottom of the hitch and I had some difficulty getting it just right for ground clearance. Knowing what I know now I would have got the hitch with the bar between the pivot points. Oh well, it works so quit complaining Carl.

[F Bill]

If you have a Tractor Supply or Theisens or somilar store check out their prices on straps...even Walmart and Home depot occasionally carry them in appropriate sizes for tying down a jeep. I always have several smaller straps in my pickup, some from picking them up on the road, others bought, for strapping down windshields or whatever junk I might find at yard sales, etc.

Also, every truck stop in the country carries decent tie down stuff...might check one out if you know any near ya. If you were near the Iowa 80 truckstop you could find just about every style made...

I know what you mean about love /hate......I was talking with a trucker the other day waiting for the Ferry who had a fellow trucker killed by a slipping binder...

[Carls_jeep]

Yes, I found the axle straps at Tractor Supply the other day and that was a surprise. When I added up the prices of the individual pieces it was more than the $130 kit from Summit. Around here Bargain Supply has the best prices for the ratchet straps and Lowes is second. I like the safety hook ends on the Summit kit because they can't come off my tie down loops.

Man, I just hate to spend another $130 + shipping.

[Gunslinger]

Carl,
Your going to spend about $500 bucks in gas just to go see Calvin and get back, now just how silly would you feel if you drove all the way out there and found out your jeep only got 1/2 way cause a strap broke?  The $130 is a lot of coin, but its darn good insurance.  I used to do tractor shows, about 10 years ago, I'm still using the trailer hardware I bought then, now it holds the Willys down.  Its just money, they print it every day.

Todd

[Carls_jeep]

Yeah, your right and it will be about $1000 for gas for the round trip. Like I told Calvin, it's a one time trip most likely so I'll make the best of it.

[calvinhunt]

What?  I thought this was going to be an annual event!  Just kidding.  

And because it is likely a one-time event, we will certainly make the most of it.  If our Jeeps perform as expected, and the weather performs as expected, and the the BLM doesn't perform as might be expected (and don't close our roads down) we'll be in good shape and have a really great time.  Looking forward to it.

[Carls_jeep]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the axle straps. Now I need to buy a gallon of OD paint from Walcks. I'll put the new sneakers on the Jeep and touch up the paint and she should be ready to roll.

Well, a few years later may produce another trip West. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]