M&D

Going off the tires is essentially the same as going off suspension, frame is totally different. If you go off the frame your load is CONSTANTLY trying with all its wieght to expand/contract. This will eventually lead to loose or broken straps and then it will really be moving around. Letting the suspension work a bit reduces this stress greatly and your straps stay tight.


Now you gotta be somewhat smart when choosing a tie down point, obviously off a sway bar or something isnt going to work, a arms (close to the frame pivot point for less leverage) and rear ends are PLENTY strong to tie off of 99% of the time.

M&D

That would be off the suspension.

FordJunky05

iTrader: (1)

Yea, I like that method in the rear. And up front you think the a arms would be sufficient?

Warfarin

This makes sense. Thanks for the elaboration.

I have seen frame tied down cars skitter around on the trailer before, but only when someone didn't have their straps tight to begin with. If one didn't criss-cross the tie downs at each end, I could see them loosening too.

I've never towed with the suspension free, so I can't speak to how that feels, but I've seen it done plenty of times so it must not be too big of a deal. That being the case, tying down with tire straps, to the axle, etc. should be less prone to user error at the very least.

M&D

Yep. Just go close to the frame as you can - this makes for less leverage pulling on the arm. Just use common sense, think about what your doing and how the load will react going down the road. An extra 20 minutes loading/strapping down can save you some major headaches in the longrun.

M&D

no prob. I used to race also, long travel off road trucks with 20" of suspension travel, so Im sure a normal car/truck would do just fine with this method.

Buck183

Am I the only one that wants to know what kind of car fits on a 12' trailer?

Buck

f1504L1F3

he said in the beginning it was a mini cooper

smokeywren

OP said it was a "classic" Mini Cooper, so I assume from the 1960s.

1964 Mini Cooper S was 120.1" long. That's a hair over 10'. Wheelbase was only 79.9", so you can put it where it needs to be on the trailer to achieve balance and proper hitch weight. Dry weight 1377.9 pounds, so his estimate of 1500 pounds was close.

1964 MiniCooper S specs

FordJunky05

iTrader: (1)

Yea, my buddy is picking up an old mini. I guess there is some company down in Georgia or somewhere that converts them from right to left wheel, front wheel drive to all wheel drive, and drops a Honda Type R motor in it. He's gonna pay them a lot of money to do it...It isn't my taste at all, but anything to help out a friend. Plus I really want to haul that long distance. I'd like to get some experience.




I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in test driving one...lol