Essential Safety Gear for Long-Distance Car Hauling
Safety is a big deal for many truck drivers in the car-hauling industry. You’d be surprised how many have found themselves involved in a fatal car accident. Back in 2019, FMCSA reported that truck drivers, including car haulers, experienced approximately 4,000 violent car crashes that year. Those accidents lead to another 5,005 total fatalities being reported.
At the end of the day, long-distance car hauling requires drivers to become more vigilant and proactive. You’ll face a number of challenges. Drivers will often spend long hours on the road, drive 500 miles or more cross-country and back, and occasionally have to combat restlessness.
Lucky for you, we know of a few essential tools that can make sure car haulers like you are staying safe on the road at all times. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how everything from ratchet straps, and winch cables to loading skates can make for safer car transport.
Why It’s Important To Practice Safe Car Hauling
Car Hauling can be a rewarding experience if you are a car enthusiast. However, you can’t have fun without knowing how to safely haul your vehicle first. Drivers must be well-versed in the risks associated with car hauling for long distances, such as equipment failure, delivery delays, encountering thieves, and damaging a customer’s vehicle. These types of issues can lead to everything from late deliveries to hurting your reputation as a professional car hauler.
Not to mention, not abiding by safety rules can land you on the wrong side of the law. DOT and FMCSA regulations make it clear that all cargo must be secured over your truck’s trailer. A few key rules state that drivers must use at least 4 auto straps, know the weight and dimensions of their cargo, and use the parking brake to secure their vehicle.
If your cars aren’t tied down properly over your trailer, the police could penalize you with a hefty fine. Using securement tools properly will keep you out of trouble.
The Tools You Need To Better Protect Your Vehicle
Fortunately, there are various ways for you to protect your vehicle and ensure that it’s transported safely from point A to point B. You’ll need a whole array of tools, such as tow straps, graded chains, winch bars, and even shackles to help make your car hauling experience stress-free.
Auto Hauling Straps
In particular, auto-hauling straps offer the best level of security for your vehicle. Here at Mytee Products, we offer everything from Axle Straps and over-the-wheel Straps to Tow Dolly Straps. This category of trucking supplies is often made of durable polyester webbing, to prevent your vehicle from shifting or falling off the trailer altogether. Their polyester construction allows you to weather through even the severest of snowstorms as well.
Even better, they come in several different configurations, including sizes, colors and even high load-bearing capacities. Not to mention, they can be paired with a variety of end hooks to add another level of security to your vehicle. Knowing which strap is right for you, depends on several factors, such as the weight of your vehicle, whether you prefer stability over flexibility, and how many attachment points you need for your cars.
Car tie down straps take the headache out of having to haul or tow your vehicle across state lines.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular auto straps on the market:
- 8 Point Roll Back Tie Down System With Chain Ends
The 8-Point Tie Down System comes with all the high-visibility straps, ratchets, and hooks you could ever need to properly secure your vehicle. Instead of just having a few anchoring points, you’ll have multiple ones to work with. In fact, the more attachment points you have, the more evenly distributed the tension over your vehicle’s tires will be. This way your car won’t be leaning over too far on one side and possibly fall off your frailer. The 8-Point Tie-Down System is the king of all auto strap systems.
- Side Mount Wheel Net With A Ratchet
Another strap that many car haulers use is the Side Mount Wheel Net with a ratchet. Any time you see the word “ratchet” mentioned in the name of an auto strap, that means you’ll have a higher level of security over your vehicle. You’ll be able to tension your straps over the car’s wheels, making sure they’re nice and secure. While this class of auto-hauling straps isn’t on the same level as the 8-Point Tie-Down System, it does have some pretty impressive features that make it stand out.
First off, the Side Mount Wheel Nets can handle just about any car’s weight, even an RV. It has a WLL of 3,333 lbs and a breaking strength of 10,000 lbs. They’re even compatible with various hooks, such as a snap hook and chain anchor. Even better, these 2″ straps feature an additional end fitting, the O-ring. These straps simply loop through the O-ring and around the tire, providing your vehicle with a high level of security.
- Auto Tie Down Straps With A Flat Hook
On the other hand, these auto tie down straps with a flat hook instead of a ratchet. The end fitting allows you to anchor your load down to the side rail of your trailer and hold it in place. These high-visibility green and orange straps are great to use in low or dimly-lit situations on the road. It’ll let drivers know right away that you’re hauling vehicles and to keep their distance. These straps also have high working loads, a WLL of 3,333 lbs, and a breaking strength of 10,000 lbs. If you’re particularly concerned about safety, then these are the straps for you.
- Auto Tie Down Straps 8′ With Chain Anchor
Saving the best for last comes the 2in wide x 8ft long tie-down straps featuring an anchoring chain grab hook. This high-visibility strap comes with tons of features that’ll make your car securement superior to other truckers. They boast with the same load-bearing capacities as the previous styles of wheel straps but that’s not even the best part. The ⅜” end fitting provides a reliable hold over your vehicle.
Additionally, the gold-chromate-plated chain comes equipped with a ratcheting handle to help you apply the right amount of tensioning over your straps. Some trucking supplies stores like Mytee Products sell these auto straps in 4-piece kits, where you get more protection for your vehicle. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to depend on these auto straps to provide the proper tension your vehicle needs to stay locked in place over your trailer.
Wheel Chocks
While straps are useful, you have an even better chance of securing your vehicle by using wheel chocks. You’ll be able to find all kinds of chocks on the market, such as rubber, wooden, steel, and even aluminum styles. In particular, rubber chocks are resistant to slippage and will provide a more secure grip on any surface. Wooden chocks are a more affordable option but ultimately less durable than rubber styles.
You can use these tools by simply placing them near the centerline of your tires and fitting them snugly against the wheel. This way your chock will prevent your vehicle from rolling away. They can be used to do everything from towing, transporting cars, and repairing your vehicle.
Safety Chains & Loading Binders
Tow chains and loading binders also can provide car haulers with peace of mind as well. They’re made from durable materials, such as steel, which allows them to withstand the weight of your vehicle. Not to mention, they work together to add tension and securement over your vehicle on your truck’s trailer. There are even several different configurations available, which include ratchet binders and 70 to 120-grade tow chains. They also feature different types of hooks to make for a more secure hold over your vehicle.
In order to get the most out of your loading binders and chains, you must keep them properly maintained. Inspect your tools for any signs of rust, use a degreaser to remove dirt and debris, and use a lubricant to keep the mechanical components moving. Using these tools will make you feel a lot safer hauling your vehicle.
Emergency Kits
Anytime you’re on the road, make sure you have an emergency kit on hand. As a truck driver, you’re bound to face a number of challenging situations along the way. Perhaps your truck’s engine is overheating or you need to readjust the straps over your truck. Maybe you injured yourself while trying to repair your vehicle or truck. It helps to have a fully stocked emergency kit full of your essentials and emergency supplies. This could be bandages, road flares, tweezers, extra batteries, cones, road flares, extra bolts, fire extinguishers, and even water. Life on the road can be unpredictable, and it’s best to be prepared at all times.
Here Are The Best Practices For Using Your Safety Gear
When it comes to using your safety gear, such as chains, binders, and straps, you want to make sure that it’s rated to support the weight of your vehicle. If you refuse to use properly rated car hauling equipment, you could risk losing your vehicle on the highway.
You should also inspect all of your safety equipment before hitting the road. You want to make sure all of your wheel straps, winch cables, loading skates, chains, loading binders, and anchoring points are in good condition. A tear in your strap or rust over your chains could cause your vehicle to fall off your flatbed’s trailer.
In addition to performing maintenance routines on your safety gear, drivers should also be properly trained for long-distance car hauling. Taking classes and researching techniques can help you learn how to use loading ramps properly, strap down your vehicles to prevent shifting, and handle fatal car accidents. Receiving proper training also prepares car haulers for challenging situations, such as driving through a tropical rainstorm. That way, you’ll be able to better protect yourself during a long-distance haul.
Using these safety tools will protect your vehicle and ensure that it arrives at its destination safely. You owe it to yourself to invest in towing chains, chocks and loading binders to help improve your chances of protecting your vehicles. Maintaining your securement tools also keeps them in good working condition, thus making car hauling easier. Drivers should also brush up on their understanding of long-hauls and the best practices for using these safety tools. Having safety gear on hand will prevent you from sustaining any injuries and your cars from falling off the trailer. At the end of the day, practicing safety makes you a better car hauler.
Author Bio: Aja Dandridge writes for Mytee Products as a Content Writer. She’s written for various online publications and covered numerous topics, including gardening.
