Have you tried running a rachet strap across the floorboard and hook to the front of trailer?

 

Yes, but that loads the suspension. I'm sure lots of people do it without issue and will tell me to do the same, but I hesitate to because if the strap compresses the suspension, it means that as the trailer goes down the road, the suspension flexes and the strap loosens at points. I'd rather have a consistent hold on the strap for the entire time it's being towed.

 

I do a heavy duty ratchet strap across the floor board and attached to hooks on the trailer deck just a bit aft. Front of trailer has a short length of chain going to what almost looks like a ball mount hole on the front of the cart.

 

I use this brand, basically the same thing, they work great. My Yamaha has a lot of plastic so I didnt want to go the ratchet over the floor board method.

Magnum Tire Trapper Wheel Tie Down by Rack'em Mfg (rackemmfg.com)

 

In Pennsylvania the state law says you must have a lock down on each corner. That is the safest way to do it. The way I see how some people tie down their carts just scares me.

 

I have a 2021 Yamaha and I set the parking brake and then I have a 2" strap that goes across the floorboard and into IBolts on the outer edge of the trailer. I have a rubber mat on the floorboard which has been damaged a little and a little on the rocker panel from the ratchet. Now that I have larger tires and wheels the ratchet doesn't touch the rocker panel or mat. The latest issue I have had is that I was on a two lane highway road and hit a small bump on the road as a tractor trailer was alongside going the other direction and my seat flipped up, off the hinges and it was laying on the floorboard. Maybe a coincidence but now I use a bungee cord to secure the seat.

 

Terry:
Can you explain what the lock down on each corner consists of?

 

1 ratch strap on each corner. The 2 straps on the front are X crossed. This keeps my Ranger from moving side to side. The back 2 just go in the back holes on my Ranger. When everything is tied down I put the emergency on. All this is inside an enclosed trainer.

 

good point on bouncing; my straps have clips

 

Well , I can tell you I HAD a really nice Golf Cart as I do industrial Sheet Metal work . It had all the ideas of
improvements , alum diamond plate plus both tinted Lexan windows front a back along with a folding rear deck
to ride 2 more shooters . The custom wheels with the tilt trailer all matched ! I also had a Harley Cable with
Lock to secure the Golf Cart , Plus , a locking devise that secured the steering wheel when on the trailer .
Long story short , Those Bastards broke the lock on my trailer hitch under the camera in the parking lot
at the Casino in Henderson , Nv. and while being filmed turned the trailer 90 degrees and dropping the
hitch onto their ball on the truck , drove right out the main gate while Security guards watched them leave !
I wasn't a happy camper talking with the Henderson Police as they told me ,
To forget I ever had that Golf Cart , it would save me a lot of grief in the future !
What do you Think ?

 

Well , I can tell you I HAD a really nice Golf Cart as I do industrial Sheet Metal work . It had all the ideas of
improvements , alum diamond plate plus both tinted Lexan windows front a back along with a folding rear deck
to ride 2 more shooters . The custom wheels with the tilt trailer all matched ! I also had a Harley Cable with
Lock to secure the Golf Cart , Plus , a locking devise that secured the steering wheel when on the trailer .
Long story short , Those Bastards broke the lock on my trailer hitch under the camera in the parking lot
at the Casino in Henderson , Nv. and while being filmed turned the trailer 90 degrees and dropping the
hitch onto their ball on the truck , drove right out the main gate while Security guards watched them leave !
I wasn't a happy camper talking with the Henderson Police as they told me ,
To forget I ever had that Golf Cart , it would save me a lot of grief in the future !
What do you Think ?

Sorry for your luck. I would be just as mad as you - I hate a thief. I think the only way to deal with that is to have insurance. Locks keep honest folks honest, but it's almost impossible to stop a professional thief.

 

The only way to go. I can be gone in 60 seconds.

CargoBuckle F18800 G3 Retractable Ratchet Tie-Down System, 2-Pack - - Amazon.com

 

I found out about these straps on the Honda SxS site. They really are just awesome to use. The next critical issue is to attach your straps to the lowest point on your axles, not the cart frame. You can find axle straps on amazon and etrailer is you would rather not put steel hooks on the steel of your cart. I previously attached to the frame/hitch/bumpers on my Teryx and then on my EZGO. Eventually I had to replace my shocks from the compression and bouncing.

Finally, don't cross the straps. By that I mean don't secure the right side of the cart to the left side of the trailer. I always thought that was what looked right. Not so as the Pro's have numerous youtube videos explaining why it isn't a good idea.

As for securing from theft, crooks can defeat anything. Devise a layered system of locks and blocks. Remember the special ops saying, "One is none, two is one".

s/f Steve

 

I haven't worked out how I'll secure the cart to the trailer but I know for a fact the trailer will have a boot lock to keep it on the truck. Can't make it theft PROOF, just harder to steal than the one across the parking lot.... Same thing I do with boats and trailers...

 

I use two ratchet straps; 1 in the front that hooks onto each corner of the trailer and goes across the area where the gas/brake pedal is and passenger legs would be and is tightened pulling the cart forward; the second goes on the back two corners and across the back upright trying yo pull it rearward. With the brake applied, it never moves and I go 75-80mph down the Interstate. Got my straps in a 4 pack from Sam's Club for $30; I keep the other two in the trailer tool box, along with spare blocks for the front peg

 

Short distances (<20 miles) I just run a strap across the floorboard to the trailer side rails. My trailer has heavy duty tubular rails designed to serve as a tie down point.

Longer distances I add a strap to the front and rear to prevent back and forth movement with a lot of starts and stops. My cart is a Club Car XRT 850 so it has a steel tubular bumper in front and a drawbar in the back that I use for front and rear attachment points.

I use soft loops to avoid damage to finished surfaces.

 

Everybody needs to remember if they want it they will get it.

You just have to make it as hard as you can to keep them from getting it.

 

I'm currently using 4 ratchet straps. There aren't many good places to secure them to on the cart in terms of something that is solid to latch on to but also won't result in the strap rubbing something it could damage once under tension. In searching for alternatives, I found these: https://www.etrailer.com/p-EM09160.html

They are sold in pairs of 2 and advertised as being effective when used in a pair. Does anyone have experience with these and are 2 of these straps enough?

This is exactly what I use.
They work fine for local trailering in NY and CT. When I trailer to NJ I put a third strap on the back because I was told NJ has a "3 point" law.

I used to use ratchet straps, but these are much easier to deal with. When I get to the venue, I leave the fronts hooked up and laying over the front of the trailer. I back the cart off, shoot, pull it back on, and throw the straps over the front tires and I'm packed up in 3 minutes.

 

Thanks this is what I was hoping to hear. I got sick of bumping the exhaust while trying to look the strap around an axle at the end of the day.

 

I'm currently using 4 ratchet straps. There aren't many good places to secure them to on the cart in terms of something that is solid to latch on to but also won't result in the strap rubbing something it could damage once under tension. In searching for alternatives, I found these: https://www.etrailer.com/p-EM09160.html

They are sold in pairs of 2 and advertised as being effective when used in a pair. Does anyone have experience with these and are 2 of these straps enough?

This is basically the same concept of what I built for my mule… I ratchet the front tires down individually and it doesn’t move at all…. (Honestly I would feel good with just 1)… My 12’ dovetail trailer has a tailgate / ramp as a secondary if it happened to get loose it wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.

 

the use of E-track and E-track straps over each tire is the best system to use. Depending on whether you have a wood or steal floor they can be bolted or welded to the floor.

 

I also use soft straps to connect to frame of front arms then ratchet straps from there, have pulled the cart on an open and enclosed trailer thousands of miles with no issues. Anything like these work great.

 

>Have you tried running a rachet strap across the floorboard and hook to the front of trailer?<<

Works for me, and can be done in seconds.

 

Unfortunately theft seems to have become more common & accepted especially in the larger communities. I had my vehicle broken into while at World English in SA. It was in a lighted parking lot immediately in front of the motel. Until then I didn't realize how easy it was to break into Ford pickups. They didn't get anything since I was smart enough to take all guns and valuables up to the room but it did cost me $800 to repair the damage. The hotel management's reaction was to shrug their shoulders & when I reported it to the SA police no one was interested. They did direct me to their website where I could self-complete a form to get a police report. No police response at all! Apparently, SA police don't have time to follow up on break-ins & theft. Same as Austin, they now have "411" line for non-emergency calls. Break-ins, theft etc are reported on that line & no police ever show up. It tends to reinforce something I learned years ago living in Houston - don't depend on police for your or your family's protections. When I was there police response time was over 15 minutes for 911 calls. A lot can happen in 15 minutes. I now believe in having a gun for protection & also recommend Texas Law Shield for keeping you out of jail or civil suits when you do have to protect yourself. Don't ever believe that just being right will keep the police from arresting you from using a gun to protect yourself.

 

Tire straps on each tire. Easy and very secure, unloaded suspension.

 

For local trailering 1-2 hours: one retractable ratchet strap, doubled around tongue of trailer to short strap on front "bumper" . Front tires against front trailer rail. One one retractable ratchet strap going across from rear trailer corners on front side of hitch. This does not do much, just insurance. I have a fold up ramp as well. I may not drive 80 mph on I-95 but I do drive 60 on crappy South Carolina back roads.

I am not a fan of permanently attaching something to the deck, but I can see if that is all you use the trailer for ; it would be great system.

Marist, I grew up on Chestnut Hill Road.

 

Have you heard of Mac's straps? They are highly rated by side by side owners to transport their vehicles. They allow the suspension of your vehicle to continue to dampen the road conditions while securing your vehicle positively.

Medium Adjustable UTV Tire Net Pack - Black | Mac's Custom Tie-Downs

Medium Adjustable UTV Tire Net Pack - Black

www.macscustomtiedowns.com

Give them a call to see what they recommend for a cart. 800-666-1586.

BTW, I have no affiliation with them.

 

I'll post an update for those who may search for this in the future. I began installation this evening. Overall, I'm pleased so far. The cons are it is A LOT of holes to drill - 24 per pair of tires, so 48 to do all 4 tires. Also, it comes with zinc hardware with long bolts that cannot be used on an aluminum sheet style trailer like mine because they do not have enough threads, so I'll be upgrading to stainless all around in the correct length. Also, supports under the flatbed part of the trailer can interfere with the bolts. Otherwise, I think I am going to be happy with the setup once I'm done.

 

This is a great post. I have just recently purchased a cart and trailer and have not gone over 250 miles one way. I have just been using one 2" ratchet strap across the floor board like I posted previously, but you guys have given me lots of different ways to tie down, I just need to figure out which one is the best for me. Even though I am not the OP, thanks for all the info.

 

I run one strap around the front of the footwell to the front of the trailer and one through the back of the footwell to the rear of the trailer. I don't worry about suspension compression because it's a 1990 Club Car and the suspension is shot anyways...