Straps or Chains for trailering?

[LarryBud]

I’m going to need to haul my tractor with FEL and Rotary mower. I have a double axel car hauler rated for the job. I need to purchase either a set of chains and binders or HD Straps. I see they are about 50/50 on the thread of pictures with loaded trailers.

I like the idea of straps for ease of use, storage and no scratches. Downsides?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

4 straps for the tractor and 1 strap for the loader and bucket and 1 strap for the rotary cutter.
Just make sure the straps don't ride or rub on anything sharp.

 

[Geezer3d]

I prefer straps for the same reasons you listed. The only down side is that a strap can wear or cut if you aren't careful about how you put them on.

Edit: Wolfman beat me to it.

 

[Freeheeler]

The answer is Yes. Straps or chains

 

[mcfarmall]

I like weld-on grab hooks and chains.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Chains front and rear, 10,000 Lb strap over the floor. Hauled mine like the 1000's of miles and no issues.

 

[GeoHorn]

Chains and binders are my choice.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I too use chains and binders. If you get the binders that lever over then have a few bungies to keep the levers from opening. Never lost anything but several times a binder opened. Not a good feeling. And yes I have straps too and would not fear using them. If you go with straps get them way over rated for the load.

 

[Lil Foot]

I'm a chain & binders guy, because that is what I was taught years ago.
I do strap the implements down.

 

[LarryBud]

Thanks all. Looks like there is no consensus. Love the welded hooks.

 

[dirtydeed]

I'm a chain & binders guy, because that is what I was taught years ago.
I do strap the implements down.

X3

 

[Tarmy]

I think chains and binders make me more comfortable with the security of the load…

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I started with straps (I was cheap and not trailering much at all). Once I started to travel to another property (4hrs away) regularly the straps wore pretty quick and I went to chains and binders. If not going far or very often the. Maybe straps make sense from $$ point of view. From a durability I think chains and binders. Load is also much more secure with chains and binders IMO. I think chains and binders are just as fast if not faster.

 

[ferguson]

I’m going to need to haul my tractor with FEL and Rotary mower. I have a double axel car hauler rated for the job. I need to purchase either a set of chains and binders or HD Straps. I see they are about 50/50 on the thread of pictures with loaded trailers.

I like the idea of straps for ease of use, storage and no scratches. Downsides?

You need to check your state DOT laws / Here in W V my L3130 at 3,600 lb requires chains / 2" straps would hold it fine and are easier to use but not legal. My 2 cents

 

[NCL4701]

Chains and ratchet binders. Mostly because that’s what I’ve been doing successfully for 40 years and thousands of miles with various types of equipment.

 

[The Evil Twin]

You need to check your state DOT laws / Here in W V my L3130 at 3,600 lb requires chains / 2" straps would hold it fine and are easier to use but not legal. My 2 cents

Can you point me to that? I haul a 9800 lb vehicle in WV and only use wheel straps. I'm not commercial so that could make a difference. Been pulled over for bypassing a weigh station but once I said private transfer they apologized and let me roll on.

 

[PaulR]

Damn.
I'm 51 years old and I still use straps.
How old do you have to be to prefer chains???

 

[mcfarmall]

Damn.
I'm 51 years old and I still use straps.
How old do you have to be to prefer chains???

56

 

[NCL4701]

Damn.
I'm 51 years old and I still use straps.
How old do you have to be to prefer chains???

I agree with McFarmall: 56.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I use both, prefer chains for everything, then a few straps for extra protection. A case of more is better, especially if the DOT/MOT are about ! Never been pulled over and said I had too many holding down a load.
Be SURE to lower the 3ph implement ! Sadly there's a 'thread' about a rockshaft/diffcase being destroyed posted here, 2-3 weeks ago....