FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about tie downs, tie-down product and tie-down procedures.
If you have a specific question, please call us at 800-666-1586.
The idea behind crossing the straps is well founded: to prevent the car from migrating sideways. At Mac’s, we don’t recommend crossing straps for three reasons:
- If the straps are crossed, they are continually trying to move together. That migration is often stopped by something that’s never friendly to the strap itself. Typically, it’s a bracket that isn’t smooth and could cut the webbing.
- If one of the crossed straps loosens, the other strap is then trying to pull the vehicle sideways.
- This has more to do with the straps at the rear of the vehicle. In the event of a sudden stop, the crossed straps have to straighten up a bit before they can do their job. The more extreme the “X” the more they have to straighten up before stopping the vehicle from rolling forward.
We come across situations where the Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) of the tie down strap is not strong enough to keep the static weight of the vehicle in place. With a static weight of 3,000 lbs., one might assume that a 5,000 lb. capacity tie-down strap would suffice. This is a common misconception. As a rule, a tie-down strap should be rated for three times the vehicle’s static weight. Therefore, a 3,000 lb. vehicle needs a minimum 9,000 lb. capacity tie-down strap.
Mac’s automotive tie-down straps are the best choice. Each pack includes everything you need for a safe tie-down situation: four tie-down straps with your choice of attachment hardware, length and color, strap wraps to keep your excess webbing neat and tidy and a heavy-duty duffle bag for storage. Mac’s automotive tie-down straps have a 10,000-pound load capacity to handle most 4-wheel cars or trucks.
There are a number of light-duty tie-down strap packs that are perfect for securing a motorcycle. Depending on your tie-down situation, you can choose options that include an s-hook or integrated soft loop. You can also choose between a cam or ratchet tensioner style. Mac’s also has a number of motorcycle tie-down accessories including tie-down strap rings, a handlebar tie-down harness and a tire wedge.
Mac’s has tie-down options specifically designed to secure your UTV/ATV.
UTV Tire Nets have a 12,000-pound capacity and wrap around the tires, letting the suspension absorb the bumps of the road. They come in three sizes: small, medium and large and support tire sizes from 24x9 to 35x10.
Watch our video about Adjustable UTV Tire Nets.
The weight of a UTV demands a more robust tie-down solution than a standard 1” utility strap can offer. The Mac’s UTV Tie-Down Pack provides increased capacity (5,000 pounds) but costs less than an automotive tie-down pack. We’ve integrated our adjustable combo axle strap to make it easier to secure to a-arms or through the wheel.
ATVs can be secured using our standard 1” utility strap offerings or ATV Tire Nets. ATV owners sometimes choose to swap out their OEM tires for larger aftermarket tires. ATV Tire Nets include an adjustable leg, and are specifically designed to fit 24” to 26” diameter tires.
Most state laws require four tie-down points, one for each corner of the car. That’s why our tie-down packs include four tie-down straps.
L-Track (VersaTie Track) is much narrower than E-Track or A-Track. Also, when mounted to the floor of a trailer, L-Track has an open center channel and can be cleaned easily. E-Track or A-Track is much wider than L-Track. It also has a closed center channel. Trash and debris can get into the channel and be difficult to get out. E-Track and A-Track are very similar. All of the fittings are interchangeable between E-Track and A-Track. The rectangular slot on A-Track is knocked out clean while the ears on E-Track are folded over and left in place.
The Mac’s PiVOT is the easiest way to remove and install a vehicle’s engine and transmission. No more chains, cables, ineffective cranks or firewall interference. The PiVOT mounts easily to most 2 and 4 bbl. carburetor intake manifolds and tilts up to 35 degrees with the turn of the lead screw. With a wide selection of PiVOT Adapter Plates, Mac’s has you covered. There is an adapter plate available for most engines, from a Ford Flathead V8 to the modern-day GM LT4.
Mac’s has a wide variety of light- and heavy-duty anchor point options. Surface and recessed d-rings range from 900-pound to 10,000-pound capacity.
We’ve created a video series explaining the different anchor point options and how they are best utilized.
At Mac’s, wheel nets are built-to-order to fit your specific wheel. We only need two measurements:
- Overall tire height (diameter)
- Overall tire width (sidewall to sidewall, not the tread width)
If your deck d-rings or anchor points are already installed, please also provide the horizontal distance between them. This helps us determine the leg length.
There is no difference. It’s simply a different name for a tie-down that wraps around the tire and secures to your trailer deck. This keeps the wheels in place and allows the vehicle’s suspension to absorb the bumps of the road.
For trailers with no anchor points, chain extensions are a perfect solution. They route through the trailer’s rub rail, stake pocket and attach directly to the ratchet hook. Chain Extensions are manufactured with Grade 70 transport chain and a forged grab hook. You can purchase Chain Extensions individually, as a 4-pack or can be bundled when you purchase our most popular automotive tie-down packs.
You do not ever want to depend on wood decking alone for the strength required to transport. Do not drill through the wood deck and expect that to hold for long-term. We suggest using a backer bar that’s welded in between the crossmembers of the trailer. You’re then drilling through the wood, through the backer bar and putting the appropriate hardware on the bottom side of the trailer.
Our first choice is attaching to a suspension component. However, low-lying vehicles can make it difficult. In that case, a through-the-wheel application, like the Mac's Pro Pack, will work just fine. Make sure the surface is as clean as possible and that you use the Mac’s fleece sleeve protector for additional padding against the wheel’s finish.
An over-the-tire application like the Mac’s Custom-Fit Tire Nets or Tire Block Straps, are great alternatives. They both avoid having to crawl beneath the vehicle and hold the vehicle down by its tires, eliminating contact with the wheel.
No. If the trailer is dedicated for hauling a particular vehicle and the vehicle is being secured in the same place each time, a track system is not necessary. An adjustable track system is ideal when the trailer is utilized for multiple tasks, loads, etc. Mac’s offers three types of adjustable track systems including VersaTie Track, E/A-Track and our new HD Tube Track.
Making a decision regarding anchor points or an adjustable track system from the start can avoid turning your trailer bed into “swiss cheese” by having to drill holes and mounting an unnecessary amount of anchor points.
If your airbag system has a tendency to leak down over a long trip, that could lead to some loosening of the tie-down straps depending on where you have them attached. That would be a reason to let it down. If you’re worried about the finishes of the bottom of the frame rails and/or the trailer floor itself, consider the Mac’s Chassis Stabilizer.
Be cautious not to deflate your air ride system entirely to avoid any clearance or “pinching” issue that may arise. If the system is deflated completely, the suspension could take some abuse in transit due to the fact that there is no effective suspension.
There are obvious and not-so-obvious signs of webbing degradation. Look over the webbing entirely. Obvious failure could be along the edges or around the end-fittings. Use a lubricant (i.e. WD-40) on the sprocket on each side of the ratchet mechanism. Re-webbing services are available for all Mac’s branded products for as long as you own the product.
It's an easy process but there are some important things to remember. Make sure that the nubs on the stud are aligned and interlock with the retainer.
As a general rule of thumb, you want the assembly to be roughly three times the vehicle's static weight. Therefore, a 3,000-pound car should have a 9,000-pound assembly.
It's not an infinite number. The ratchet can handle about 2-feet worth of webbing in a double layer. Otherwise, it will bind up.
Watch our video explaining the ratchet handle webbing storage capacity.
The process is quite simple. The mandrel is the slot in the barrel of the ratchet. Simply feed the webbing through the mandrel, bring out a bit of slack, tuck it back underneath the handle release and pull the excess through.
Watch our video showing how to thread webbing through the mandrel.
There are many easy ways to clean the ratchet handle.
The general rule of thumb is four tie downs: two assemblies on the front and two assemblies on the rear.
The Mac's direct hook is designed with hook opening pointed down. This creates minimal contact between the hook itself and the pan. Contact between the hook and the pan is OK as the hook is full seated.
When you attempt to place an order with a credit card, you authorize our credit card processor to reach out to your issuing bank to place a pre-authorization hold on the funds equal to the attempted or placed order. Mac's is the name that will show on your account statement.
If you attempt to place an order more than once, and the authorization is declined due to billing address, or any other reason, a pre-authorization will be held on your card for each attempt you make. Please confirm that your Bill To address is an exact match to the address associated with your account to avoid any duplicate pending authorizations.
Once your order ships, you will be sent tracking information via email and the payment will be processed. Funds are not deducted from your account until after all the items on your order ship. This matching charge to the pre-authorization will remove the hold. The amount of time the pre-authorized funds are held is based on your banking institution’s pre-determined timeframe. Motis Brands has no control over how your financial institution handles pending authorizations. If you have questions regarding how long it will take for a hold to drop off, please reach out to your issuing bank or credit card company. If your order has a backorder or unexpected delay, the pending authorization may fall off before the order has shipped. Please note, the charge will not happen until shipment notification is received. Please make sure funds are available at that point, or the order may not ship.