Loading and Lashing: Securing gear

[Scott Brady]

UPDATE: Article added from Henry Cubillan (60seriesdude) http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/loading/index.php

I have been doing some research on this subject recently.

Actually, it has always been in the back of my mind since a draw bar cut a 4" gash in the back of a friends neck during a roll-over.

I am a big believer in organized and secure gear storage. It just makes trips so much nicer.

What I have been looking at is the absolute highest quality storage gear and load handling equipment available.

Here is what I have found so far:

NETS:

Load Tamer Nets: http://www.cargonets.com/military.html
Killer quality and designed for loads pushed out of the back of C130's. I used on in the Outback Challenge with great success.

http://www.cargonets.com/mil_images/mil10.jpg

BedNet: Also very high quality. I have used a 4x5 unit for several years before the platform was built for the Tacoma.
http://www.thebednet.com/

http://www.thebednet.com/images/cargonet.jpg

Tie Downs:

Tie Candy- (http://www.aluminumflatbeds.net/accessories.html) Good looking and STOUT
http://www.aluminumflatbeds.net/tiecandy/cherry2.jpg

Hi-lift Slide-N-Lock (http://www.hi-lift.com/products/slide_n_lock.htm):

Another good product I have used and like. ailable in 7", 22", 68", & 93" lengths. It is also available in black now, which helps with my chromophobia.

http://www.hi-lift.com/images/ph_slidenlock.jpg

Straps:

Less research on straps, as I have always used ratchet straps of some sort. However, I came across these little gems, and have been using them for the last few months.

Quickie Tie Downs: (http://rvstuff.net/quickie.html)

http://rvstuff.net/set.jpg

So, what has worked for you?

[Steve Curren]

Scott,
I too am concerned about the gear in the back of my Jeep, a friend rolled his Unlimited about a month ago and the cargo went wild. I have been trying different bags and boxes to hold the gear but I have not been able to find a real secure way to make sure that they stay put if I did roll. I really like the cargo net along with the rail system to tie down to. As you well know there are not many places to secure a strap in the rear of a Jeep and I was looking for one that was good as well as good looking, black too. I was thinking of a drawer system but I would have to take it out so the pooch could get in her Jeep and the ones I have seen are a bit expensive.
Thanks for the info and I think after the harness and camera system I am putting the restrain system in.
Thanks,
Steve Curren

[+ d]

This is something that's been in the back of my mind for a while now...to keep my gear off of the back of my head!

For those of us without truck beds our gear is much more potentially lethal. If you think you have trouble finding tie points in a TJ try a WJ!

My plan has been to mark out strategic tie points, remove the interior plastic weld on some flatbar/angle that comes up to the back of the plastic panels and then bolt through with a tie point.

Those are some good links. Thanks for bringing this up Scott!

[Jonathan Hanson]

In the back of my FJ40 I use Ring Products Straprings:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/cargoring.jpg

. . . available from Expedition Exchange.

They attach easily over the numerous 10mm bolts that hold down the canopy, so I have plenty of attachment points available.

I then use standard ratchet straps to hold everything down.

[VikingVince]

I believe the Quickie Tie Down is the same as Rope Ratchet, yes?...handy little items. Rope Ratchet also makes the CalGrip which I use on my Flippac to hold down the Big Blue Condom (rain cover:ylsmoke: ) I have 5 of them on each side of my truck.

www.roperatchet.com/calgrip_univmount.shtml

They make two sizes; I have the 1/8"-3/8" size. It holds absolutely tight when using 3/8" rope. I can't budge the rope a bit. However, when I've experimented with the smaller rope diameter, it will slip a bit...so just use the maximum rope diameter in whichever size you buy.

[FortyMileDesert]

Land Rover Discovery's come with lots of D-rings standard....:box:

[chet]

I have a "wheelin box" that goes in the back of the kick for outings. I use two older lap seat belts that are bolted to the floor to hold it in place. the belts are black so they blend in and two quick buckles and the box can be opened or come out.

I use ratchet straps on the roof box to hold stuff in.

[calamaridog]

The Slide-n-Lock system from Bloomfield mfg (Hi-Lift) is a very nice product.

I bought a set for the Tacoma and never installed them before I decided to sell:( Eventually, I'll find a use for them:exclaim:


Also, these Raingler nets are very good:

http://www.raingler.com/shop/categories.asp?catID=1

[Nullifier]

Ya know for me it's the stuff in the cab. When I was down under I picked up a dash organiser from Micheles sacks. It can hold radios, sunscreen, bug dope, sunglasses, maps etc. I attached it to the dash using dual lock by 3m. So far no issues. I also ordered my beard seats with the large map pocket on the back to hold all my gazeteers and other large maps.

What I really want is one of those over priced glove box organizers but can't remember where to get it.

July will be storage mount month so i will be fabbing bed mounts for gas tanks, engel, pelican cases etc. I am probably going to have to have a canvas toneau made for the idaho trip because I do not think my custom bed rack/ canvas shell will be done :(

[Steve Curren]

Scott,
I meant to ask you if you have a system to secure items in your Jeep and if so which have you chosen?

Thanks,
Steve

[Grim Reaper]

I like this site more and more. So few sites get into the importance of keeping gear secured. Something as simple as a 3 cell mag can kill you in a roll over.

Here is a write up I did on my last trail rig that covers equipping and securing.
http://coloradok5.com/packitup.shtml

I'm in the process of building a new rig. Since that write up I have added a second kid and 2 medium sized dogs to the mix....and the new truck is MUCH smaller and is my DD where as the last truck was just the weekend toy.

With my extra passengers I won't be looking for the nasty stuff I did with the last truck. This truck will be more of a trail rider verses a rock crawler. When I go out with the club I am usually by myself so I will catch a ride in an open seat with somebody else and live vicariously through their broken truck. When I get back into it to that point again I'll build a 4x4 buggy for that type of fun.

My dogs have proved to be my toughest obstacle. My last pup was a 100lb Sheppard that would jump up in the seat sit down and would actually wear a seat belt and sun glasses....It was comical. Frick and Frack AKA the destruction twins (half Brittney Spaniel half Llewellyn Setter) are a couple high strung bird dogs. As pups they were real bad about not being still and trying to do laps around the truck. I had to turn the back of the truck into a cage for safety reasons.

I am building in a drawer for gear so that with them in the truck I can still get at any of my normal gear and tools. Since this truck will not be doing as hard core of trails I am cutting down on some of the spares and only carrying tools for my truck (metric, before I had tools to work on anything). I will carry a spare CV assembly and a spare axle shaft and a spare rear drive shaft. Those will be bolted up in the factory spare location. Available but out of the way.

Its still a work in progress and Actually I am working on it today. So good timing on seeing this post.

I have pretty well come to the conclusion that a trailer is in my future when the family and pups are with me. When its just me I can pack the rear of the truck.

Here is a couple of shots. The cargo wall is a commercial cargo wall out of a Chevy S series blazer. A little work on the lower corners to clear the wheel wells in the narrower 4Runner and it mounts to where a European 4Runner would have rear seat shoulder belts (I would love to find a set but just want offered in the US). The side panels were flimsy plastic that after 20 years of sun and abuse were falling apart. There is a TON of room in the rear Quarters on those 1st get 4Runners. If you look close there is a full gallon of antifreeze in there, Couple quarts of oil, spare radiator hose and a tow strap. Todays project is finishing the doors for those.

[njtaco]

[QUOTE=Nullifier]

What I really want is one of those over priced glove box organizers but can't remember where to get it.
QUOTE]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0030059521625a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=glovebox&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=glovebox&noImage=0

Available for Tacoma...

A review by David A. Wright:

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3658&highlight=glovebox

[HenryJ]

I used some nylon cleats (http://www.overton.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=26038) attached to the inside of the top bed rail lip.
http://www.overton.com/graphics/products/medium/26038M.jpg

I mounted four. Two to the rear above the factory steel tie down loop, and two just behind the tool box, using stainless steel hardware and silicone to seal them.

I thought about using the cleats that come in the late 90's Ford F series boxes but they were a little wide to fit the lip properly.

Now I can use one of the back seat cargo nets to hold things down, or have some more places to attach the spiderstrap.

I will also be using them as attachment points for the tarp when I set it up as an awning.

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/cleat.jpg

Total cost under $20

Another nice thing about the cleats that I used.

1/2" CPVC pipe is the perfect size and fit to lay along the top of the cleats and be flush with the bed rail.

"So what, who cares? Is this more useless trivia?" ;)

No there is a method to my madness.

The need to keep some things in the back "out of sight and mind" arose. What I needed was a cover that was easily removable, light weight, and semi secure.

The cleats offer a nice platform for a tonneau frame.
I used 1/2" CPVC pipe to form a frame and crossmembers. The frame is 55 1/2" wide to the front tapering to 55 1/8" at the back and only needed to be 32" long from the tool box to the tailgate. I cut the crossmembers a little long so that they would bow upward offering some strength, and allowing the water to run off. I decided to offer a little more rigidity, so I drilled small holes on center and inserted a 3/16" rod to steady the crossmembers, and help to resist compression at the center of the frame. For the cover I picked up some marine vinyl. Cut it 4" larger than the frame to allow stitching a 1/4" rope around the perimeter.
This is a cinch fit cover. I placed it over the frame and pulled the rope to tighten it over the frame. Then I notched the vinyl to add one piece of rope to cinch the center

The tailgate protector has a nice lip that matches, so the cover is supported across the tailgate. My tool box is recessed just below the rail. This allows me to slip it under that lip an inch or so, securing the front of the cover. I used some of the ball and elastic tarp ties to secure the back to the stock tiedown loops.

Now I have to open the spare tire carrier and tailgate to access that cargo space. When I disconnect the two rear tiedowns it hinges nicely on the front cleats.
It is easily removable and light weight. Total cost came to $20 and two thirds of that was for the vinyl.

This may give someone a good idea. I don't know if it would be worthwhile for a full cover. You would need $20 worth of CPVC , and $26 in the vinyl , now add the price of cleats $30, and the elastic tiedowns $10, that puts it very close to the cost of an ebay tonneau. In my case I needed a small cover, and really didn't want to cut down a fullsize one.

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/cover.jpg

[Scott Brady]

Great job Henry. Tightly integrated and very clean, as with all of your mods.

I really hope to meet you and your cool truck at some point :)

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I use Sterilite Plastic Storage Bins.

They are silver...and match my truck perfectly.....so I am very happy with them!

I stack them on my drivers side.....behind my drivers seat.....because my gas tank is on my passenger side.

I use bungie cords to tie them down.

My twin size blow up bed fits nicely behind my passenger side seat......so I can be fully contained.....and sleep in my vehicle.

I tried to look mine up on the Sterilite website....but these don't look exactly like mine. They must have changed their design. But it's close.


http://www.sterilite.com/Products/catalog/section_storage.jpg

[flywgn]

Scott, I'm a HUGE believer in securing loads. As you know, the road we travel frequently between San Felipe and Punta Bufeo is fraught with pitfalls, literally. Even the vados on the pavement south of SF cause "ups and downs". One of the vados even sports the name "Oh S...t Dip", which some of you may have seen.

My loads don't move. I don't use stretch ties of any kind because they stretch. On a pitch any load beneath a rubber (or other type of stretch cord) tie will allow the load to 'jump'. For that reason I eschew those easy-to-use securities. They're useful, but in other circumstances.

My loads are literally tied down with straps or rope and secured to anchors in the deck or on the rails. My knots and loops are variations of the so-called "truckers' hitch" and clove-hitches--a very secure method of tying down any load. I also like to use 'load-locks', i.e. the rods that can be screwed against the walls of the bed to act as cargo dams.

I feel it's also important to make certain that whatever cargo carrier is being secured is in itself well-packed. A carton of eggs in a carrier will move within the carrier therefore negating whatever tie-down might have been applied to the carrier. The contents of each of our carriers are packed tightly so that movement inside is negligible.

Last Wednesday I made the trip from San Felipe to Punta Bufeo (91 miles) in two hours thirty-five minutes...and that was including a 20-minute stop to air-down, tighten straps, and grab a water. Not an egg cracked.

Allen R

[HenryJ]

...I really hope to meet you and your cool truck at some point :)
The feeling is mutual!

[david despain]

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/deathvalley3/ here are some pics where a hyd winch would leave you stranded if you were by yourself http://www.expeditionexchange.com/fo...read.php?t=447 and some story



here is a bit of a post i made in the hyd vs elec winch thread and its just as topical here as well. this guy rolled a disco and nothing inside it moved an inch. i always go overboard on the tie downs and ratchet straps. i was helping a friend move this weekend and when i showed up at the storage unit to help load a piano and said wow that thing is heavy we should tie it down" the other guys said yeah but we dont have anything to tie it with. i said oh i have tie downs yo uwant some. after i pulled out the first pair and asked if they needed more they were astonished i have more than two. not securing the load in a 27 foot u- haul resulted in a badly dinged up and scrated 1500$ fridge.

i have the hi-lift slide-n-lock and i love it. it was one of the only things that i pulled off of the ford when i traded it in last month, they were put on when it was new in late 94 so the sliding part was slightly different shape than the currernt ones. it was by far the most useful mod ever done to that truck. i loved those rails so much that the built in nissan rails were a requirement in my new truck. interestingly enough just last week i found out that uni-strut inserts are the same size as my rails so now i have LOTS of new options :box:

[Grim Reaper]

I use Sterilite Plastic Storage Bins.


I use bungie cords to tie them down.



Be careful. They stretch and if you are trying to secure any kind of weight they won't hold in a roll over. A couple pounds getting slung around effectively becomes a couple hundred pounds. It will stretch the bungee and find a way out.

Ratchet straps are the way to go if there is any kind of weight involved and by any kind of weight I mean over 5-8lb I wouldn't trust a bungie in more then a light flop.

[Scott Brady]

Henry (60seriesguy) has contributed an excellent article on loading and lashing. Great practical knowledge and approach, as can only be gained from years of exploring Central and north America.


Thanks Henry!
http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/loading/index.php

[goodtimes]

One of the vados even sports the name "Oh S...t Dip", which some of you may have seen.Allen R

I think I know that one. So does my dog. And I'm pretty sure I called its name as I blew through there at 55mph +/- in a short wheelbase jeep.:Wow1:

[paulj]

If you ever get a chance to buy a Rubbermaid Brute Tote, do so. This is their commercial line of products, so rarely seen in retail outlets. For some reason a Lowes stocked a few a couple of years ago and I picked one up. Dimensions are roughly similar to the consumer line (in 14 and 20 gal sizes), but construction is studier. The lid snaps on more securely, and the handles are open, so it can be strapped down more securely.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=USPlastic&category_name=12892&product_id=19548&utm_id=40&utm_term=rubbermaidcontainersandscoops&cookie%5Ftest=1

[photoleif]

i bought a pair of self-stowing tie-downs at home depot for about $25, but found upon attempting to install them that they had "wings" that prevented them from being flush-mounted in my sleeping platform (see sig). i bent the wings 90° downward to remedy that problem, and now they work great for tying bungees in, yet stow flat so that sleeping on them they're not noticeable.

http://aspen-graphics.com/misc/platform02.jpg
in situ (one is visible, stowed, just to the left of the lid)

http://aspen-graphics.com/misc/platform08.jpg
deployed (up)

[MountainBiker]

This is a great thread! I've been thinking about cargo restraints a lot lately. In the past, I haven't really lashed gear down in the back of the vehicle, and since it's just one big area, stuff could fly around and hit a human!

I really like the look of the Loadtamer nets that Scott linked in the first post: http://www.cargonets.com/military.html
But I need to decide how I will use the net, so that I can figure out what size to get.

I stack all the 'stuff' in the back of the Subaru, with the rear passenger seats folded down (or completely removed). Heavy stuff is on the bottom, soft stuff is on the top, and a food/beverage cooler is near the back hatch. When I'm accompanied by a passenger for a week long expedition, the amount of stuff when compressed is about level with the bottom of the windows, and pretty much filling the area between the hatch and the front seats.

Should I just get one big net that will strap everything down? Perhaps attaching the net near the rear hatch and near the back of the front seats, and with middle attachment points along the side, and then tightening it down. Is this an efficient way to restrain the 'stuff'? It seems that every time I need to get to something, I'll have to partially remove the net. I'd rather keep the system flexible to allow varying amounts of gear, and I'd prefer not to build any hard barriers/shelves. What are people's thoughts?

[ntsqd]

I think I know that one. So does my dog. And I'm pretty sure I called its name as I blew through there at 55mph +/- in a short wheelbase jeep.:Wow1:
Those are more politely known as "Dog Launchers"!

[devinsixtyseven]

Those are more politely known as "Dog Launchers"!And they result in cattywompus, right? :p

A while back I found these recessed D-ring tiedowns from Polyperformance:

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/home.php?cat=263

I'm using a pair of the light duty version, bolted to the top of the bed between the corrugations, to lash down water, fuel and the cooler. I'd prefer if they were bolted to the bottom of the bed, they'd be more secure pulling against the bed instead of just the two 1/4-20 grade-8 bolts in each. In the pics in my build thread, they sit on either side of the two Scepter water jugs. The fuel cans are also lashed to the stock tiedown loops in the bed corners.

I also have four of the HD tiedowns arranged in a square at the back of the bed, mounted underneath with a 3/16 coarse grade-8 bolt. The spare tire sits in the center, with two massive tiedown straps cross-wrapped over the top.

The HiLift is bolted to the bedside, and the shovel is quick-fisted to the other bedside.

In the cab, we've been putting all the heavy stuff on the back seat perch, with more tiedown straps holding the toolbox down in a recessed space and holding the top closed. Large (40qt?) blue Tupperware "Roughneck" bins hold most of the other stuff, for ease of movement and safety. They're also lashed down using a couple OEM tiedown loops mounted to the cab, and to the back seat perch. One of them also covers the loose tool hatch.

The recessed tiedowns are handy enough I plan to incorporate a handful of them in to the new rear setup, when I get to it.

Something I've noticed about tiedown straps, they're not all the same...some of them incorporate thin, flimsy, and/or weak ratchet mechanisms, and with some the ratchet will misalign when you need it most.

Also...the pull-through, spring loaded clamp style straps are adequate for small loads, but by design cannot build the same tension as any strap equipped with a ratchet mechanism. They're far better than elastic straps, IMHO not adequate for anything particularly large or heavy, but great for lashing down camp chairs, small toolboxes, etc...we use a pair, crossed, to secure the cooler between the spare tire and the fluid containers.

-Sean

[ntsqd]

And they result in cattywompus, right? :p
Well, er, no, they're dogs - not cats. ;) :) :)



A veritable plethora (been waiting all week to use that phrase) of Tie-downs (http://www.austinhardware.com/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=9) Back-up to their main page for all sorts of other hardware.

I use 'footman loops' in the bed of Patch, coupled with 1" webbing & various Fastex poly hardware - including the snap-buckles like on back pack waist straps. Makes any frequent access stuff easy to get to and the hardware is low profile.

A concept I had back in the days of my '67 Ranchero was to use a section of 3/4" or 1" outdoor plywood (primed, sealed, etc.) with the recesses for the recessed tie-downs cut into it. That way the bed itself didn't get any large, un-reversible mods. In that vehicle I reasoned that having everything tied to one pice of thick plywood would keep things in place. For off road use it would be a simple matter to then secure the plywood to the bed.

The M/C carrier type straps only seem to work for me on M/C's. No idea why. I just don't bother with them anymore.

[TeriAnn]

I use Sterilite Plastic Storage Bins.
I use bungie cords to tie them down.


First time I used a roof rack I borrowed one from a friend and strapped everything down with a slew of bungie cords. I was on a particularly rough section of trail and after a sharp drop found a 10L jerry can of 90 wt hanging just beside my head outside the open window. That was my first & last use of bungie cords to lash down loads. I have learned to be a believer in ratchet straps and bolted down cabinets. On the trail I have a net that is stretched between the front and rear of the vehicle.


http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/LR.images/rearinterior.jpeg
This is the rear interior of my rig fully loaded for a several week trip. Well not fully loaded, I normally carry a chaise lounge pad laid out on the floor for the dog. So except for the chase lounge pad and the dog it is fully loaded.

I rely upon metal cabinets bolted in place and dual latches on everything. The Porta potty is partially recessed inside a tight fitting space and does rely upon a tightly stretched bungie cord to keep it from sliding to the right, the only direction it can move in its stowed location.

The net is hung between the two cabinets and behind the seat bulkhead to stop a tumbling dog short of the windscreen.

[cactusjk]

Has anyone else used Quickie Tie downs? Feedback?



UPDATE: Article added from Henry Cubillan (60seriesdude) http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/loading/index.php

I have been doing some research on this subject recently.

Actually, it has always been in the back of my mind since a draw bar cut a 4" gash in the back of a friends neck during a roll-over.

I am a big believer in organized and secure gear storage. It just makes trips so much nicer.

What I have been looking at is the absolute highest quality storage gear and load handling equipment available.

Here is what I have found so far:

NETS:

Load Tamer Nets: http://www.cargonets.com/military.html
Killer quality and designed for loads pushed out of the back of C130's. I used on in the Outback Challenge with great success.

http://www.cargonets.com/mil_images/mil10.jpg

BedNet: Also very high quality. I have used a 4x5 unit for several years before the platform was built for the Tacoma.
http://www.thebednet.com/

http://www.thebednet.com/images/cargonet.jpg

Tie Downs:

Tie Candy- (http://www.aluminumflatbeds.net/accessories.html) Good looking and STOUT
http://www.aluminumflatbeds.net/tiecandy/cherry2.jpg

Hi-lift Slide-N-Lock (http://www.hi-lift.com/products/slide_n_lock.htm):

Another good product I have used and like. ailable in 7", 22", 68", & 93" lengths. It is also available in black now, which helps with my chromophobia.

http://www.hi-lift.com/images/ph_slidenlock.jpg

Straps:

Less research on straps, as I have always used ratchet straps of some sort. However, I came across these little gems, and have been using them for the last few months.

Quickie Tie Downs: (http://rvstuff.net/quickie.html)

http://rvstuff.net/set.jpg

So, what has worked for you?

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Raingler nets, can't beatem


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/jimbowby/PICT0034.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/jimbowby/PICT0203.jpg

:Wow1::costumed-smiley-007:safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

[shogun]

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/category/VersaTieTrackKits

Same stuff we use in 747 frieghters to tie down loose stuff.