I know personally of 3 cases, all due to buckle slippage, 2 bikes came off the trailer.

Wondered how common it is. Thoughts?

I had mine start slipping, but I was just using cheap ones. Then I bought some choice Ancra ones. Not the ratchet kind, just regular tie-downs. End of problem.

ive never had my tie downs undo they have slipped alittle but never have had it come off the trailer even if it did its enclosed so i wouldnt just fly out

I use a $70 dollar ATK bike shoe. It's the least I can do to protect my $8000 investment!

I always tie the end of the strap around the tie down (in a kind of slip knot arrangement) right next to the clamp. They can't slip that way.

Never lost one, even with old straps that slip sometimes.

I have been using Ancra's for years, I don't think I have ever had one slip. I don't tie a knot past the buckle either. The "K-Mart" kind that's a different story. I have had bikes come loose due to the swaying to one side (either on a turn or in rough terrain) and the tie down unhooked from the handlebar. Using a PC Racing fork support or similar device also helps to hold the bike more securely.

I've never had a buckle slip but one time I had to hit the brakes soooooo hard it compressed the forks and unhooked my tie down. The bike just barely hooked on the edge of the trailer and didn't go over the edge. Ever since that day I only use Carabiners & soft ties. I cut the hooks off the end of my tie downs and replace them with carabiners. Nice thing about carabiners is you don't have to cinch the forks down hard, just a nice tug on the tie downs. The bike & forks can move around with no problems. If I have to leave the bikes loaded for a few days I can let all the pressure off the forks and the bikes will stand because nothing can come undone.

MXOT, That's a great idea!

I have a pair of Ancra tie downs. They have never slipped. They are by far the best quality tie downs out there! For only $20 you can't beat that. If you buy the best, usually you don't have to worry.

Well MXOldtimer, thats them Oregon drivers for ya.lol

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You are correct! If it hadn't been for my excellent Oregon driving skills, I would have hit that dumb a$$ Washington driver.

This is exactly what I do for the same reason. Cut off hooks and us good quality carabiners and soft ties. I also use a large chain buckle on the end that goes to the trailer. No hooks at all on either end.

I only use Ancra. They never slip. The cheap ones work OK till they get wet, then say buh-bye sweet motorcycle that I love

Not as much of a problem since I switched over to the cargo van for my bike hauler (3500 extended chevy). Our bikes and gear are nice and snuggy and safe in the back . Plus I can throw the camper on back for the weekend getaway

mark,

your info made me recall a funny story -- my friend ordered a cargo van, and was all smiles telling us how it was going to be great since his bike and all of his riding stuff would stay dry and so forth. he was really rubbing it in, but in a goodnatured way of course, and to top it off before he even took delivery he had the inside semi-customized to haul his bikes. plywood floor, tie-down points, the works. anyway, one morning a bunch of us are going to his house to meet up for a ride -- keep in mind it's his first time out with the brand-spanking-new van. i pick up another friend, grab some coffee on the way, and we pull into his driveway. our guy with the new van looks totally crestfallen -- i mean my first thought was "oh no, maybe his dog got run over or something?".

so we're like, hey what's going on bud? he points. the van's back doors are wide open, and inside the van his KTM 400RFS is leaned way over, at a 45 degree angle laying against the side. on the *OUTSIDE* of the van you can see this bulging dent where the handlebar hit. he was loading the bike up and the tie down slipped or something gave way, and BAM! -- the bike swung across and the end of the handlebar gave the side wall a nice shiner. from the outside you saw this pristine white van with an "outie" (convex) dent right in the middle of the cargo part. it was sort of funny (to us) but at the time my buddy was pretty distressed. he didn't know whether to be spittin' mad or what. seriously, it took him about 6 months to get over it. eventually he caved in and got it fixed up somewhat by a body shop. now that he's out of therapy he can actually talk about it over beers.

jim aka the wrooster
'01 wr250f

it happens a lot.

i know of 2 situations from friends.

1) tiedown came undone (probably spring failure) and it catapulted the bike off the truck and into the ditch. at 70mph. bike was mangled.

2) tiedown came unhooked. ktm400exc left the trailer at 10mph. driver noticed about 3 miles later he was a bike short.

i run 2 sets of tie downs to soft ties. i just don't think i can be so unlucky as to lose 2 on one side.

I also run 2 tie downs when using an open trailer. I now have an enclosed trailer!!!

I run a bunjee cord between the hooks on both Ancra tie-doens. If there is slack, the bunjee cord keeps the pressure on the hooks keeping them in place.

Jim,

That is a funny story. I feared the same fate for my van. What I did was to insulate and line the walls with 3/8" plywood. I then installed my tie downs over the plywood and into the steel ribs. I also insulated the ceiling and lined it with white faced masonite. On the floor I just laid down those commercial runners, heavy rubber with carpet. After I unload the muddy bikes, I drag the runners out and shake/sweep them off. 95% of the mud comes out with them.

I got the extended one so I could mount a bench seat behind the two buckets. Bought the seat from the flea market that folds down into a bed. I installed it with removeable mounts in case I need more cargo space. I doubt that I will ever remove it cause I got 9 feet plus from the seat to the back door. It's a hog!

It works for me

Mark

I have several sets of tie downs, all Ancra, the pair I bought in '72 still work no failures. I also tie the wheels to the rails frt and rear and tie the two bikes together in the center. Mike

I use carabiners on both ends of a set of Ancra tiedowns after my buddy's bike launched off his trailer in the pits. Never had a problem.