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Tie-Down Violation: No Strap UTV

Tie-Down Violation: No Strap UTV

Jun 28, '22

From what we can see, the only two tie-down straps are routed around the rear cargo rack. There is nothing keeping the utility vehicle from rolling forward or backward. The cargo rack is not designed for this purpose and can likely fail with enough force from an impact. It's also illegal in some states to not have a tie-down strap on each corner of the vehicle.

Our Solution: Mac's Utility Pack

The Mac's Utility Pack is designed to keep light-duty vehicles secure during transit. Four straps are included with your choice of ratchet or cam tensioner. If your trailer doesn't have proper deck hardware, easily install single stud anchor points.

Tie-Down Violation: Classic Corvette

Tie-Down Violation: Classic Corvette

Jun 14, '22

While it is a heavy-duty strap, the use it incorrect. Routing the webbing around sharp edges of the trailer can lead to wear and eventual failure. Tie-down straps work best in a straight-pull position. The hook surely does not have a safety hook and will detach with loss in tension. Luckily that storage container was nearby for the excess webbing.

Our Solution: Mac's Ultra Pack

The hook on the Mac's Ultra Pack has a standard safety latch so the hook stays attached to the anchor point even with loss in tension. Without proper anchor points, using Chain Extensions creates a safe tie-down situation using the trailer stake pockets.

Tie-Down Violation: Porsche

Tie-Down Violation: Porsche

May 31, '22

This is an accident we hope never happened. Don't use just any strap to route around a tire. In this example, straps are prone to slip off the tires, especially when they are wet. The webbing will rub the vehicle chassis, causing damage. Lastly, the flat hooks routed through the stake pockets can easily come detached with loss in tension.

Our Solution: Mac's Tire Block Strap Pack

Because of the vehicle's low profile, the Mac's Tire Block Strap Pack is a great over-the-tire solution. The teeth of the tire block itself lock into the tire tread, creating zero contact with the vehicle chassis. Multiple end-fitting options are available to fit your trailer.

Tie-Down Violation: Ford Pickup

Tie-Down Violation: Ford Pickup

May 17, '22

This just shouldn't happen. Routing webbing through the spokes of a wheel and without proper protection is not the right decision. Sharp edges could cut the webbing and the wheel spokes could bend in the event of an accident.

Our Solution: Mac's Pro Pack

For a through-the-wheel application, choose the Mac's Pro Pack. It includes padded fleece sleeves for the axle straps, which will protect the webbing and the wheel finish itself. The direct-hook ratchet or sewn fixed end can attach to the trailer d-rings.

Tie-Down Violation: U-Haul Jeep

Tie-Down Violation: U-Haul Jeep

May 3, '22

So many tie downs; so little security. A generic net around the front tire, a tie-down strap without a protective fleece sleeve routed through the rear wheel and another tie-down strap routed through the vehicle's hitch with its excess webbing wrapped around the sharp edges of the trailer itself. There are so many opportunities for webbing to be cut in this particular situation.

Our Solution: Mac's Super Pack

The integrated axle straps on the Mac's Super Pack are built to route around a vehicle's axle. Then attach the direct hook or sewn fixed end to the trailer anchor points. Two tie-down straps at the front and two at the rear are preferred by us and by most state laws.

Tie-Down Violation: Pickup UTV

Tie-Down Violation: Pickup UTV

Apr 19, '22

While the 1" tie-down strap is an appropriate choice for this application, there should be more. One strap at the rear is not strong enough to secure this ATV. You should have two tie-down straps at the front and at the rear. While we can not see the situation at the front, we recommend not driving behind this truck.

Our Solution: Mac's Utility Pack

With the Mac's Utility Pack, you get your choice of end fitting and four tie downs to safely secure your light-duty vehicle. There are also a number of anchor point options, such as the Double Stud Anchor Plate, that mount directly to the truck bed.

Tie-Down Violation: Light-Duty Tie Downs

Tie-Down Violation: Light-Duty Tie Downs

Apr 5, '22

Light-duty, 1" tie downs should never be used to secure a full-size vehicle. They are not built to secure those weights. Straps should never be attached to one another like the orange strap is attached to the blue strap in this example. Also, open-style hooks can come detached with the slightest loss in tension.

Our Solution: Mac's Ultra Pack

The Mac's Ultra Pack is built to secure a vehicle of this weight. Due to the lack of trailer deck hardware, use Chain Extensions routed through the stake pockets.

Bundle the Ultra Pack and Chain Extensions together and save $30. Simply choose Direct Hook with Chain Extension before adding to your cart.

Tie-Down Violation: Truck Tie Downs

Tie-Down Violation: Truck Tie Downs

Mar 22, '22

The ONLY thing the straps are doing are ruining the paint finish. Routing straps over and across a vehicle does nothing to keep the vehicle from rolling forward or backward. It's also likely these straps use flat hooks that can come detached from the trailer with the slightest loss in tension.

Our Solution: Mac's Super Pack

Large trucks like this are no problem for our automotive tie-down packs. The Mac's Super Pack has a 10,000-pound load capacity and the integrated Axle Straps make it easy to wrap around the truck's axle and attach to the strap. Choose your length, end fitting and color.

Tie-Down Violation: Tie-Down Totals

Tie-Down Violation: Tie-Down Totals

Mar 8, '22

When we say "two tie-down straps in the back," this is not what we mean. One strap routed around an axle is illegal in most states. Also, routing the webbing around the axle can cause excessive wear and eventual failure altogether. Plus, the open-style hooks will come detached from the d-ring with the slightest loss in tension.

Our Solution: Mac's Ultra Pack

A great tie-down pack for the price. The Ultra Pack includes four tie-down straps: two for the front and two for the rear. Axle Straps are built to be routed around a vehicle's axle to keep the webbing in a taught, straight position. All end fittings include a safety latch to ensure the hook stays connected even with loss in tension.

Tie-Down Violation: Busy But Not Good

Tie-Down Violation: Busy But Not Good

Feb 22, '22

There's a lot going on and none of it is good. Webbing is routed around "sprung" components that are not meant to keep the vehicle in place. These components can also create friction, which can lead to strap failure. As the suspension compresses over bumps, the open-style hook can easily come detached from the trailer.

Our Solution: Mac's Super Pack

Route the integrated axle straps around an "un-sprung" component like the front and rear axles. Mac's direct-hook ratchets include a safety-latch to ensure the ratchet stays connected to the anchor point even with loss in tension. If your trailer has no anchor points, bundle the Super Pack with chain extensions and save $30.

Tie-Down Violation: Side to Side

Tie-Down Violation: Side to Side

Feb 8, '22

No, no, no! Running a single strap from side to side is not proper or legal. There is nothing to keep the UTV in place except putting the transmission in Park. And what happens if the trailer tips or rolls over?

Our Solution: Mac's UTV Pack

The best way to stay in good graces with the police is to have four tie-down points: two in the front and two in the rear. And be sure to attach to a strong component like the axle. This will keep the UTV secure front to rear and side to side.

Tie-Down Violation: Through the Wheel

Tie-Down Violation: Through the Wheel

Jan 25, '22

Do not route webbing through a wheel without proper protection. Abrasion can damage the finish of the wheel and can also compromise the integrity of the webbing, potentially causing failure.

Our Solution: Mac's Pro Pack

The Mac's Pro Pack includes detachable axle straps and padded fleece sleeves for extra protection when routing through wheels. The fleece sleeve not only protects the tie-down webbing, but the wheel itself.

Tie-Down Violation: No Knots

Tie-Down Violation: No Knots

Jan 11, '22

Do not tie your webbing in knots. The abrasion can cause faster-than-normal wear. Plus it just doesn't look good. Avoid non-safety-style hooks at all cost. Loss in tension would allow the hook to come detached. 1" wide utility-style straps are not built to keep the weight of a vehicle secure.

Our Solution: Mac's Ultra Pack

Our most popular tie-down pack includes ratchets with safety-style hooks and strap wraps to keep excess webbing neat and tidy in storage and during transport.

If you don't have proper trailer deck anchor points, add Chain Extensions to your order for use with stake pockets.

Tie-Down Violation: Big Trucks

Tie-Down Violation: Big Trucks

Nov 9, '21

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Standard tie-down straps should not be routed around tires. They are meant to be in a straight-pull orientation. The webbing can easily slip off the tire. Also, webbing should never be routed through itself. The abrasion can lead to failure. It's hard to tell in this photo but if the owner is using open-style hooks, they can easily come detached with the slightest loss in tension.

Our Solution: Custom-Fit Tire Nets

Aside from a standard tie-down pack that can easily attach to the truck's axle because of it's height, Custom-Fit Tire Nets are also an option. The design locks the tires in place allowing the vehicle's suspension to work as designed.