rickeieio Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 So, I'm working on the truck, getting some projects started. One is to actually load the smart on the truck. We've had the car 3 years, and thus far have only hauled it in the toybox. I've been searching the web, and the Resource Guide (thanks Mark), and have found tire baskets from as little as $100/set to nearly $500/set. Before I pull the trigger on a less expensive product, that's still rated for far more car than the smart, I'd like to hear the collective wisdom from this crowd. I've been using straps through the wheels thus far, and while it certainly works fine, it's a pain to lay down on the floor and fish them through, then thread the ends through the ratchet. Baskets (nets?) would be soooo much easier. Edit: I meant to type "tire" in the title, not "tie". Fat fingers and small keyboard......... KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adept99 Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 Check a site called "Discount Ramps" - They'll have what you want/need. Paul & Paula + Daisy the amazing wiggle worm dog... 2001 Volvo 770 Autoshift, Singled, w/ Aluminum Bed - Toy Draggin 2013 395AMP XLR Thunderbolt Toy Hauler 2013 Smart Passion 2012 CanAm Spyder RT 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budeneighe Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 Be aware that SIze matters. Too large and they don't do anything but add to the difficulty of getting them on and off. I took the "basket" part off and just use the strap with the loop to keep them on the tires. The basket part was too big and just hung down all around. This is one reason that I cut up the catwalk to make the pads for the tires to sit on. Those guys are not going to slip around at all so the tire straps just clamp them tighter into these agressive catwalk treads. And yes, I always use all 4. RVBuddys Journal Our progress into full-timing.Budd & Merrily ===-> SKP# 088936 Other Websites:---> Hub of all my blogsClifford - 2000 VNL64T770 :: DakotR - 1999 C40KS King of the Road :: $PRITE - 2013 Smart Passion w/cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 uscargocontrol.com is where I got mine. Multiple sizes and types and reasonable in price. http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Towing-Auto-Hauling/Wheel-Nets-Auto-Car-Tie-Downs 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 Got mine from harbor freight and resized them. Would not recommend this though. Would likely been less cost to get correct ones. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 I got mine from Susquehanna Motorsports - eleven years ago, how is that possible! They no longer show on their website, but at the time they called them "wheel bonnets". Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Took our basket-style back, due to being too big to do any good. Simple 2" ratchet strap over the wheels. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 US Cargo car hauler straps. No baskets. Just straps with sliding rubber tread cleats. They come in any length any type hooks and ratchets Can also add flat bed ratchets to truck and just use straps. Works good for me. Had them 7 yrs. Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radar274 Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Ours came from Mac's http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/utv-wheel-net-pack/WheelNets cost around 250. They will make them to fit the tire size, Great company to work with. Bob&Kay 2012 VNL730 I Shift D13 2.47 ratio 2018 Mobile Suites 40 kssb4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmup68 Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Ours came from Mac's http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/utv-wheel-net-pack/WheelNets cost around 250. They will make them to fit the tire size, Great company to work with. Mac's is way to go. over tire, baskets, all options. 2003 International Eagle 9200i, Cummins ISX, Freedomline 2007 Teton Scottsdale XT4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Rick, I'm not stumping for US Cargo Control but the link I gave you also has adjustable nets. I undid the ratchets and have just a strap which goes into a lash winch on my wheel chocks. Much cheaper than $250. As I said in another thread, I use nets on the front wheels and straps with the tread blocks on the rear. Never had an issue. Also my nets do not bind on any brake lines. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I would forgo the adjustable, unless you really have a need for these to go on different tires. They are a real PIA. Stick with the ones that are for your tires, or have them made to fit. If I wasn't so (thrifty) I would be tossing my adjustable set (4) (as most manufactures suggest) and just have a set made. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I would forgo the adjustable, unless you really have a need for these to go on different tires. They are a real PIA. Stick with the ones that are for your tires, or have them made to fit. If I wasn't so (thrifty) I would be tossing my adjustable set (4) (as most manufactures suggest) and just have a set made. Rocky, I should have said mine aren't adjustable, I just used the smallest baskets they had and like I said work fine. I'm not thrifty just cheap. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Thanks for the suggestions.. I'm leaning towards straps with tread blocks. And you guys aren't "cheap", you're "fiscally sensitive." KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budeneighe Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 One thing to watch with the baskets is that the front strap does not pull down on the tie rod ends by the tires as you tighten it down. RVBuddys Journal Our progress into full-timing.Budd & Merrily ===-> SKP# 088936 Other Websites:---> Hub of all my blogsClifford - 2000 VNL64T770 :: DakotR - 1999 C40KS King of the Road :: $PRITE - 2013 Smart Passion w/cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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