bmzero Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 I reached out to Mac's (http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/) to come up with a system that will allow me to secure the Smart car or Polaris RZR on the back of the Volvo. I hope that both vehicles will be able to use the same tire baskets. For the Smart car, I will probably end up using an idler for each basket. I'm a big fan of the idlers for low clearance vehicles. Since the track width of the RZR and Smart car are similar, I will be able to use two rows of their VersaTie track, one under each side of the vehicle. That will give me some flexibility to haul different vehicles (quads, street bikes, etc.) and have tie down points in just the right place. Idlers Idler in use. On my setup, the ratchet will be on the inside (under the doors of the car), not the outside like this setup. Do you guys have any other suggestions? "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkoenig24 Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 What's the weight rating for the track? I didn't see it listed on their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted September 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 What's the weight rating for the track? I didn't see it listed on their website. I was wondering the same thing. I have to call them back with some measurements after lunch. I'm going to ask then. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 I discovered in investigating the same thing that the track was not rated high enough for my use....I forget what the rating was now, but I went with an alternative because off that. In fact, even E track is not really rated that high....although it is used in auto movers and race trailers extensively. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Ok Bmzero I'm depending on you for this one you're the Internet king. I agree with Jack the track you're looking at is not rated high enough and I have a lot of experience with E- track it will be fine for your razor but not a smart car. Also E- track collects a lot of dirt and Debris on the underside between it iand your deck extremely hard to clean out. I want to know where you get the tracking they use in aircraft like a C-130. It's similar to what you're looking at but five times stronger and larger. I really want to change the system I have for tying down my rhino and my bronco when it's on the deck. You're the man counting on you figure out what it is ? And where we can get it at a reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 http://www.ancra-llc.com/aircraft/ Here ya go "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted September 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Ok Bmzero I'm depending on you for this one you're the Internet king. I agree with Jack the track you're looking at is not rated high enough and I have a lot of experience with E- track it will be fine for your razor but not a smart car. Also E- track collects a lot of dirt and Debris on the underside between it iand your deck extremely hard to clean out. I want to know where you get the tracking they use in aircraft like a C-130. It's similar to what you're looking at but five times stronger and larger. I really want to change the system I have for tying down my rhino and my bronco when it's on the deck. You're the man counting on you figure out what it is ? And where we can get it at a reasonable price. No pressure there... "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 We have tied down pickups and suv's with alloy wheels by running a sufficiently rated strap through the wheel spokes at about 8 o'clock on the front and 4:30 o'clock on the rear wheels. We use a cloth softener so the strap cannot chafe the wheel finish. "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 We have tied down pickups and suv's with alloy wheels by running a sufficiently rated strap through the wheel spokes at about 8 o'clock on the front and 4:30 o'clock on the rear wheels. We use a cloth softener so the strap cannot chafe the wheel finish. We did the same hauling the smart in our toy hauler. Car stayed put up the Alaska highway. Can't say the same for a folding chair that got against the front bumper........ 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 September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 Looked at the aircraft track system...pretty cool. The best part though was the description. Ya gotta love engineers; they make up words that sound more technical. i.e. "used in the securement of cargo" rather than "used to secure cargo" Even the spell checker says "What??" 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...
sdixon747 Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 That is what I am using to tie down my smart. The track is called "L Track" and is rated higher than "E Track". It's the same tie down system we use on 747s. I just figured if it's good enough for a 747 freighter, it's good enough for a Volvo and a smart. Steve & Gail 2000 Volvo VNL660 Autoshift Detroit 60 12.7 "Semi Crazy" 2016 smart "Lil Crazy" 2018 Space Craft 48' TT "The Nut House" KJ4YGY & KK4CTE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 We did the same hauling the smart in our toy hauler. Car stayed put up the Alaska highway. Can't say the same for a folding chair that got against the front bumper........ Swine lawn chairs.... "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 There are references to lots of these parts in my "Smartcar Hauler Parts" little article on the things I looked at for my build. L track is in there, and I have used it for many things. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 I like the look of the angled L- track. But still don't think I would trust it for a car. What is the military using?? I haven't looked in years but I thought it was like the L track but much heavier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted September 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 I like the look of the angled L- track. But still don't think I would trust it for a car. Mac's VersaTie Series 2 system (similar in design to generic L-Track, but machined in house at Mac's) is rated at 10,800lb for a direct pull. Each double ring stud is rated at 5k, so each corner of the car carries a 10k rating (two double-stud rings per tire). The key here is the attachment points. Mac's pre-drill's their VersaTie for 4" or 6" connection points (based on series). The rating assumes adequate steel backing. I will be using .025" steel (technically, it's .0243, but who's counting). I have chosen to go with Mac's because I have seen their systems used by quite a few of my friends that haul significantly heavier (and more expensive) vehicles all over the country for competition events and car shows. I'm betting on their product being better because they control the quality using American made extrusions and in-house machining. What is the military using?? I haven't looked in years but I thought it was like the L track but much heavier. Mac's has four different styles of VersaTie (L-Track). They vary in their profile and weight rating. You can see the different styles at - http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/versatie-aluminum-track-series2-96/VersaTie Series 1 (ie. standard L-Track, which is probably what you saw Bronco) Series 2 (my choice). You can see the difference in the extrusion, resulting in the higher load rating, even with slightly lower profile (series 2 - .430" tall, series 1 - .435" tall). Here's the load rating comparison chart. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmzero Posted September 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 After making the final decision on the Series 2 VersaTie track system, I can add it to the bed drawing. The blue components are the VersaTie tracks. They are inset slightly below the bed surface. That will allow cargo to slide easily. The spacer is added above the custom C-channel to align the two bed plates with the 2x4 steel tubing. The spacer will be spot welded to the C-channel, hence the reason for the gap between the VersaTie track and the spacer. The bed surface plates will be bolted to the joists with countersunk bolts. View High Resolution Photo View High Resolution Photo View High Resolution Photo Having the track below the surface of the bed will also allow me to use the Mac's threaded studs to mount my fork clamps for the motorcycles directly above the track. "Willy Mammoth" - Volvo 730, Sold Heartland Cyclone 4000 Toy HaulerT-Minus 26 years and counting to being a full timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 Idlers Idler in use. On my setup, the ratchet will be on the inside (under the doors of the car), not the outside like this setup. Do you guys have any other suggestions? I used the EXACT same method for strapping down race cars in my stacker trailer. Only I used E-Track instead.......Worked awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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