Trailering/hauling a Dart

[Woodsman341]

It's official, I'm picking up my Dart tomorrow! Finally. It's a little over 200 miles, and I've rented a U-Haul auto transport, all wheels off the ground.

My question is: how, or where, do I attach the safety chains in the rear? If memory serves, the axle is no good because I could mangle the brake lines, and I don't recall the 1975 Sports having any tow rings or holes in the frame.

Thanks, folks.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I would use straps rather than chain.


From drivers side back of trailer, forward between tire and spring under axel housing.

Up till over the spring, then toward the passanger side, wrap around the spring.

Then over to passanger side spring and repeat.

 

[mbaird]

I prefer straps.

 

[Woodsman341]

I prefer straps.

Straps are fine, but using which points on the car?

 

[mbaird]

With straps you can wrap around the axle tube and not damage the brake lines. You don’t need them insanely tight . Just enough to keep the car in place .

 

[RustyRatRod]

Whatever you do, don't X the straps or chains.

 

[33IMP]

Agree. Axle straps. You can use your chains, I've used ratchet straps and axle straps for thirty years, (or more).
And don't cross your straps.

 

[4spdragtop]

DO NOT put hooks in car frame holes!

 

[j par]

The U-Haul trailers some times have tire nets to strap down the tires. I prefer dropping down the tires or through the rims with straps to allow the car to bounce up and down instead of it bouncing up against the straps and loosening and taunting the straps and snapping them...

 

[67Dart273]

What I do is feed the chains over the top of the leafs ahead of the axle.

Front ones over the LCA's

I do NOT believe in crossing straps or chains, either. If you doubt that think about "how it works." If you "x" them and one fails, the load can walk sideways and loosen the other chain. When that happens the slack will then allow the load to move for/ aft and the remaining two are now slack

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Always tie the rear down on the axles and the front on the end of the control arms. If you tie the car down and pull the suspension tight the car can come loose when it bounces. You don't want the straps to loosen when the car bounces . So tie down the axles and let the car bounce the straps will stay tight. Also front of the car with an engine on the front of the trailer. Tongue weight prevents trailer sway. One reason why they say never load the back of a camper. You want the majority of the weight on the tongue

 

[Woodsman341]

The trailer does have the tire nets at the front, so that's all good, was really concerned about the rear. Thanks for all the tips, guys!

 

[Sublime one]

The trailer does have the tire nets at the front, so that's all good, was really concerned about the rear. Thanks for all the tips, guys!

I just hauled my Demon exactly as you are describing. We rented the U haul auto trailer and drug it across the country. It also had the tire straps in front. I utilized them and two safety straps over the rear axle, one on each side. I also put a safety strap on front just to be double dog sure. Car never so much as twitched. Those trailers work well, we had our belongings in our race trailer so I had to rent it. it will work out great for you.

 

[Dartnut]

Check your local laws.
In B.C. and Alberta Canada the rear must be cross chained or strapped or it's a $250 fine...

 

[abodyjoe]

Whatever you do, don't X the straps or chains.

why not? i see some say cross them and others say not too. i e never seen anyone explain why though.

 

[RustyRatRod]

why not? i see some say cross them and others say not too. i e never seen anyone explain why though.

Because if one side happens to break, it will pull the car to the opposite side and can pull it right off the trailer. If it's straight and not X'ed, it's pulling straight down on the car, not to the side.

 

[33IMP]

why not? i see some say cross them and others say not too. i e never seen anyone explain why though.

Watch you tube videos. Explained clearly, and graphically.
And, if the STUPID laws require it, I'd "cross strap" it with 1" hf $3 straps, ..... and tie it down for real with quality 2" straps and axle straps, straight.
Doesnt say you can't use four straps on each end, does it?
Seriously, watch the vids You'll never cross strap again.

 

[rbkt65]

i use the short axle straps and throw it over the pinion and let the strap hang down on both side of the pinion. then hook my rear big straps to the pinion strap hook and then to the rear into my d rings. i would also put 1 strap in front along with the tire nets. i am always very over over strapped.

 

[abodyjoe]

Because if one side happens to break, it will pull the car to the opposite side and can pull it right off the trailer. If it's straight and not X'ed, it's pulling straight down on the car, not to the side.

can't it move left and right with the straps straight? i know my motorcycle has done so in the past.

 

[33IMP]

can't it move left and right with the straps straight? i know my motorcycle has done so in the past.

Motorcycles have to be cross strapped. Otherwise, they fall over. Cars dont.
Seriously, see the you tube video "why I don't cross strap my trailer tie downs".

 

[RustyRatRod]

can't it move left and right with the straps straight? i know my motorcycle has done so in the past.

Nowhere near as badly. With x configuration, if one breaks, the remaining is pulling totally to the opposite side. A straight strap will pull straight down.

 

[mopowers]