trailering a MKII

[Keith W Colonna]

what is the best way to secure a MKII to a trailer for long distance transportation? Should the axels be strapped to the trailer or should harnesses be used over the tires? What is the rational behind your recommendation?

[Nick DeSpirito]

Keith,

Without question, any vehicle being trailered needs to be secured to the trailer. When I had My car flat bedded last year, they secured it to the bed with harnesses around the back wheels and winched to the bed. The front was secured to the winch with chains. The car was flat bedded 88.6 miles and did not move at all.

At the Lancaster meet, a member came in with his car in an enclosed trailer. When he opened the doors to unload, he found the car had shifted and was against the trailer wall. He then had to jack the car up and move it to the center of the trailer to get it out. I don't know why this happened, but apparently the car was not (or improperly) secured to the trailer.

[nico]

Keit
Without question, any vehicle being trailered needs to be secured to the trailer. When I had My car flat bedded last year, they secured it to the bed with harnesses around the back wheels and winched to the bed. The front was secured to the winch with chains. The car was flat bedded 88.6 miles and did not move at all.

At the Lancaster meet, a member came in with his car in an enclosed trailer. When he opened the doors to unload, he found the car had shifted and was against the trailer wall. He then had to jack the car up and move it to the center of the trailer to get it out. I don't know why this happened, but apparently the car was not (or improperly) secured to the trailer.

I believe you should strap the tires at least in the front so the suspension can still move and you won't end up with "boxcar bearings". The rear could be cross chained. Most rollback tow trucks do it this way.

[Barry Wolk]

I would cross-chain the front and rear, and tie it down by the tires. Had I done that the Porsche would never had made contact with the inside of the trailer when I crashed into the guardrail.

It doesn't hurt to have a slightly loose secondary restraint tied around the rear axle in case everything goes wrong. Some states require it.

[Keith W Colonna]

Thanks to all for your replies.....I will advise my transport professional of the cross chain recommendation. At the very least, it will let him know I am an informed consumer.

[roseb]

When I trailered one to Rhome TX from WA I added chocks front and rear and screwed them down to the deck. Used straps around the rear axle and the large cross member under the radiator. I also added a strap on both rear bumber mounts to put spring tension so the car didn't bounce up and down to help keep the trailer stable. The car didn't move a bit for the 2250 mile trip.