How Do You Secure Your Snow Cat For Highway Transport?

[mtntopper]

We just pulled the BR100+ for about 900 miles at up to 80+ mph. Everyone talks about trailering snow cats, here are some pics to help explain how to keep the load in tact and on the trailer. I probably do overkill on tying the cat down, but I usually never have to readjust the load in transit. This one stayed tight and secure even though we seemed to launch airborne over all the rough bridge approaches along the highways. The only problem was the passenger side door on the snow cat would not stay shut when the cat and trailer torqued over the rough roads at 70 mph. I started with just bungee cords holding all the possible loose items tight and finally had to duct tape the front air inlet and the doors on the snow cat to keep the RH door from coming open. The door latch just needs to be shimmed and the problem will go away. I did not have the tools to repair it on the road, so we did next best and used the duct tape.

 

[Melensdad]

I've only towed my Snow Trac a couple times, but I have towed cars and tractors. A typical one way haul is about 20 miles, but I've towed as far as 150 miles. I use ratchet binders and grade 70 chains with axle hooks. I purchased them from AW Direct, which is a company that specializes in selling towing and recovery equipment to professionals.

I noticed you use "lever binders" and I've heard some bad things about those and their ability to come loose. Not sure if it is true, but I've been told the DOT stopped allowing lever binders on commerical loads??? I've also been told that lever binders can be easily secured with duct tape to prevent the lever from popping open. I know they are still available for sale, so I expect they must be legal.

 

[bczoom]

Would a couple ratchet straps around the cab work better than duct tape? Or if it's only the one door, a strap from the inside handle to something inside the cab.

Like Bob, I use grade-70 chains.

I use both types of binders. My lever type have a hole in the handle. I have a piece of rope that's knotted into the hole. Once the binder is secure, I then secure the rope to the chain to keep it from opening.

 

[mbsieg]

Hey, I like the trailer you have their it looks like it tips??? Did you make the trailer yourself??? If so looks great! How many pound axils do you have under it??? Cat looks really good. got much snow on the south end???

 

[BigAl]

I did not have the tools to repair it on the road, so we did next best and used the duct tape.)

Actully I believe that model Snow Cat came with a roll of Duct Tape from the Factory ,when it was new It was standard equipment !

 

[mtntopper]

The first attempt included a bungee inside and 2nd one outside to secure the door. Did not work. The real trick seemed to be to duct tape the air inlet for the heater in front of the snow cat cab. The scoop seemed to suck in too much air at 80 mph and forced the door open!!!! This might have to do with the air dynamics of air over the top of the truck into the front of the snow cat at 80 mph.

I use tie raps and bungee cords to secure the handles of my lever type chain binders and then I know if anyone messes with the chain binders by the breaking of the tie raps.

I also check the load and all chains each morning and at each fuel stop for being secure and tight.

 

[mtntopper]

Actully I believe that model Snow Cat came with a roll of Duct Tape from the Factory ,when it was new It was standard equipment !

Actually, I think you were thinking about the Snowtrac tool kit..... that is included with each Aktiv Snotrac sold.

My roll of duct tape was included in the original purchase of the tow vehicle, a Ford Super Duty Duct Tape Special...... It has actually been a great truck and this is the first time I have had to get the duct tape out of the spare parts included with the truck......

 

[BigAl]

Actually, I think you were thinking about the Snowtrac tool kit..... that is included with each Aktiv Snotrac sold.

My roll of duct tape was included in the original purchase of the tow vehicle, a Ford Super Duty Duct Tape Special...... It has actually been a great truck and this is the first time I have had to get the duct tape out of the spare parts included with the truck......

I stand corrected by the "honorable gentleman" from the BigHorns

 

[mtntopper]

Hey, I like the trailer you have their it looks like it tips??? Did you make the trailer yourself??? If so looks great! How many pound axils do you have under it??? Cat looks really good. got much snow on the south end???

It is a DMC (De Loren Motor Co) trailer designed and made to haul the DMC/LMC 1200 snow cats when De Loren controlled Logan Manufacturing Co. It does have a hydraulic cylinder for tilting the bed and loading snow cats. I am guessing it is rated for about 10,000lbs with the dual axles.

We got about 8 inches more of snow today. I ran the BR100+ on our private road today. I am impressed with its ability to maneuver and overall performance. It is a very nice little snow cat and even has a real brake pedal that works.

We also got the VMC diesel out today for a little while and that is gonna be one "sweet ride" to say the least. You can actually carry on a conversation in the cab with fellow passengers and not have to hollar......

Tomorrow if time permits, I will test run the 1200 LMC on the road to make sure everything is ready to go there also. I need more snow as it chews up the road with the J cleats pretty bad. The VMC is much easier on the road with the hydrostatic steering control than the LMC.

The snow cat season is not far off. Hopefully it will last all winter with lots of snow and few breakdowns......

 

[Ice Queen]

The three times I have carried my snowtrac on a flatbed trailer I just used a couple of ratchet straps and had no problems. It will hopefully, be carried in future inside the Norsebox and again will be secured by ratchet straps. When I carry the Jeep in the Norsebox, I secure it with four ratchet straps, one in each corner. I shall carry the snowtrac in the same manner.

 

[Melensdad]

I just towed my Snow Trac up to my office so I can work on the whole starter/battery issue that I am having problems with. Here are some photos.

Sorry they are not very clear, blame the cameraphone! The photos I shot showing the connection points under the unit were too dark to see anything. You can't really tell, but the chain connected to the right side of the trailer is hooked to the frame at the large wheel mount on the left side of the Snow Trac, it is a very stout and well reinforced spot on the Snow Trac. The chain on the left side of the trailer is similarly attached to the right side of the Snow Trac.

 

[mtntopper]

If you look close at my cross chains in the back of the BR100+, you will not see any chain boomers used. I put the cat close to the position I want it to be on the trailer. The next step is to back it up slightly and set the cross chains in place with just enough slack to allow the cat to move forward under power and tighten the cross chains thus eliminating the need for chain boomers on the cross chains. I then use a single chain boomer to tighten up the front cross chains and the cat will stay very tight on the trailer even under extreme braking of the transport vehicle and trailer. I always thought if I was going to lose it, I wanted it to go off the back and not run over the tow vehicle..... The chains running straight across from side to side are angled slightly toward the center of the trailer to also maintain the cat in position if something does happen to one of the other main cross chain setups. Bob, you have a lot of chain boomers in use for someone to steal when your having your coffee.......

 

[Melensdad]

Bob, you have a lot of chain boomers in use for someone to steal when your having your coffee.......

The towing today was a one way trip from my workshop at home to the fenced property at my warehouse. About 20 miles with no stops for coffee. If I was transporting it a long distance, with unattended stops, I would secure it differently. But for short trips like this, whether it be towing one of my cars, tractors or the Snow Trac, with no unattended stops, there is no real reason to 'lock' the cargo, the chain or the ratches from theft.

 

[BigAl]

Here in California the Highway Patrol require one grade 70 chain and binder at each corner of the rig . No Exceptions . If you have a blade on the front you also have to put a chain across it too . No ratching nylon binders are legal that I know of .
I have a chain loop at each corner of my snow cat attached permanently to the frame rail . It makes chaining down the cat much easier .

 

[Krazy4mud]

I always use atleast 4 seperate chains and 4 ratchet chain binders, one for each corner. Chris-crossed. But my trailer QUEEN is a little heaver than your snow cats. Mine toy tipped the scales over 12,000 lbs. It's on a 9 ton tri axle eager beaver trailer. All 3 axles have brakes.
I have never had the truck come loose.

It's fun in the snow, but it will find bottom... some where!!!


Rich

 

[Melensdad]

I always use atleast 4 seperate chains and 4 ratchet chain binders, one for each corner. Chris-crossed.

Rich,

Welcome to the Forums!

I agree with what you do. And I reviewed my prior posts and while I said that I run chain and binders, I never really indicated how I do it. I use grade 70 transport chain, and I have 6 of them. 4 for the vehicle, which are chris-crossed (car, tractor, snowcat) and 2 extras for tractor implements if they are also on the trailer.

As for binders, I usually use 4 binders on the vehicle, but have occasionally used just 2. Then again my loads are lighter than your loads and my chains and binders are rated for much larger loads than I carry.