Over the last 6 months or so, I have been debating on another form of hold downs for the ATV's on the bed of the Blue Hauler. I have looked at the LA Bulldog and several other options that have appeared on the forum. I was at Tractor supply the other days getting some bolts and nuts for a projet I had going and saw these screw down chain chokers. I have seen them on the 18 wheeelers but not these small ones about a foot long. I thought, why not use one of these on each end of the ATV instead of 2 nlyon straps on each end. I spend way too much time messing with straps especially when you have two ATV's (eight straps to get set). So I bought 4 of these screw chokers. I spent the biggest part of yesterday thinking out how to make it work and fabricating some needed hardware brackets. I finished today and I think this setup will save much time, be more secure, last forever, and takes about a minute to cinch the ATV down. On the front, use hooks on both ends. On the rear, I used a standard hitch pin to remove the top for quick access. This is mounted on my removeable square tube for ball if ever needed. Below, I welded on a clip to carry my tow hook. Here are some pictures to see how it turned out. Still need the stainless button head bolts on bed frame and a good coat of paint (not liking the orange) to complete the job... The chrome eyes got at Bass Pro for about $6 each. Screw choker were kind of pricey, $35 each, but very smooth to operate. They have a racket build on like a hand took racket. Can turn either direction and one end left handed, other right like a turnbuckle.

http://www.ccb-design.com/Photographs/atv/tie-downs/index.htm

That is a pretty slick setup. I use the steel turn buckles to secure the camper to the truck. Something like that may also work well. I suppose until they get iced up where as the tie downs you have may not be as prome to icing as long as they are kept well greased. Thanks for the pics and ideas.

Neat stuff there Exposed.... That puppy ain't goin' no where.....

quote:

Originally posted by Voodoo:
That puppy ain't goin' no where.....

Amen!

Nice going, Exposed; thanks for sharing!

Great idea. I'm going to have to look into that one. Is it capable of being locker or can it turn if there there isn't something to keep it from turning?

It appears that the more tension you put on it, the more resistence to turn. There is not a lock per say and this thought had crossed my mine. After snugging down, I really don't think it is going to move any. You can not turn witout the help of the rachet arm. To be sure, I will add a small steel cable with a clip on the end and secure to the ATV. That way it would be like a safety......

Great idea. If I hadn't just bought a La Trailer dawg i might have tried this out.

Will the can am front bumper be sturdy enough to stand up to the repeated stress? Can you use the winch to hold the front?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pruav,

Bumper should be fine. It is very strong and mounted directly to the front of the frame. I have been using the bumper with the two straps and no problems that I can see....

that's slick, I like it. Those things are the same thing we used to strap down all our heavy equipment, such as dozers, bobcats, trenchers, etc. course the main difference there is we don't have to worry about the shocks compressing then we hit bumps, which it may on a quad. Might want to think of fabricating something to close the openings of the hooks.
Just a thought, your probably fine.
shawn

that's slick, I like it. Those things are the same thing we used to strap down all our heavy equipment, such as dozers, bobcats, trenchers, etc. course the main difference there is we don't have to worry about the shocks compressing then we hit bumps, which it may on a quad. Might want to think of fabricating something to close the openings of the hooks.
Just a thought, your probably fine.
shawn
I guess I am referring to a clevis hook with a latch like this one
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KE0UBU?smid=A3LDAX1Z8QDFC&...ls06-20&linkCode=asn

I actually used the clevis hook on one to get tht proper distance to tighten down. You have about 2" of adjustment in the device.I found it you snug down the bike, the shock travel from that point on down is maybe 1/2" without a lot of down force. So if it moves that 1/2" hitting a big dip in the road or something, the clevis opening in longer than that. It will not come off. The other thing, the tires have a stop on each end so when the bike is loaded, it falls right in the center of the bed. It can move sideward any, only up and down....

a truck boomer would be much easier just one fold over and its tight .don't really know if it will work but it is either way alot of oooovvvveeeerrrr kkkkiiillll

I looked at boomers first (they are much cheaper) but unless you are choking around a chain, you have no adjustment. You are limited to one length. I felt the adjustable setup will allow for better tie down since you can adjust as tight or loose you want it...
thanks