GlennWest Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Seen these on some trucks. Neat as they can be. Where can they be bought or are they just individualy made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Made mine. Steel wedge fabed up and welded ratchet on side that accepts cargo strap. Picked up a truck supply. Smaller version of what is on flatbeds. Jack Has picks on his site of his. Mine are similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Mine came with the truck. Herrin provided them so am not sure if he made them or bought them. 1-1/8" socket and ratchet. The tire cages were a pain to stow so I got some stuff bags from MEC and jamb the cages in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Here is a source for the ratchets http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Flatbed-Trailer-Products/Truck-Tie-Downs-Web-Winches/2-Lashing-Truck-Tie-Down-Winch-RIGHT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Mine had the chock built in with a couple of bolt holes to match the holes in the ramp to secure it to the deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Thanks everyone. I had found the racket from Jack's site. Had not found any steel chops to mount them on. Thought they might be fabbed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 They are all fabbed....(the chocks). I designed the originals and Larry fabbed them, and since then Larry has made them shorter (lower profile) with just enough height to mount the ratchets. That provides better clearance for the bumper/fairings on the smart. I prefer the ratchets that use a wrench to tighten, vs the bar. There is more room to use the wrench (socket) than a bar. But it may just be a personal preference thing. One thing to point out on these - and it is a design "flaw" that I knew about and can live with - is that they are bolted to the deck and the ratchet is on them. Failure of the bolts will cause that wheel to be loose. But there are four of these on most installations - which is why I can live with the design flaw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 If this is what you are referring to, fabed mine with steel plate, angle iron and some welding help from Roadfitter. Ratchets from US Cargo Control. Coated with paint on Herculon available at any car parts store. With your welding skills should be a piece of cake. BTW raised mine 2" with the angle and use 2x12" beveled pieces to raise rear tires in order to store ramps under Smart with plenty of clearance. Fabed some "slip-on" rollers to slide ramps easily under Smart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Jack, I realized that flaw also but was willing to accept the risk. Didn't want to drill holes in the side of my bed to mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Glenn, I used 6 inch stainless angle iron and it works great. Angle iron is bolted to deck and strap winch is bolted to angle iron. No need to use stainless unless you happen to have some, Simple and functional. Be safe, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Jack, I realized that flaw also but was willing to accept the risk. Didn't want to drill holes in the side of my bed to mount. Exactly right. Everything is a tradeoff. Ratchets on the side of the truck look "lousy" IMO. And we all know it is "all about the looks". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 I gotta get this Photobucket sorted out. My chocks complete with ratchet don't look so bad. Better than a "D" ring with a round turn and 2 half hitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarome Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 The title of the this thread totally threw me. I kept thinking, "how DO you stop a smart car with a ratchet?" Hit the mouse on the treadmill over the head with it?!? What size of socket would need for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted November 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 When I get back to Texas I can go to bosses shop. Anything I want. But I'm stuck in Louisiana till summer. Whatever I use will have to be fabbed for me. Believe I will throw this by bed builder/single. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Glenn, One thing to note regarding the ratchets. They come with a left handed side for the wrench (socket) and a right handed side. Even saw one at the Rally that had ones on both ends. This is do that when you put a wrench on it, it will be to the side of the car and not into the bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Here's what I have, a left and a right. If you switch them you wind up bashing the underside of the car with the wrench. I use a 1-1/8 socket and ratchet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I use Rotochoks on my trailer and the handles work great for the ratchets to tie down the Smart. Gregg @RV haulers makes a lot of these for their decks....maybe give him a call and it may be cheaper to have him ship you four of them complete since there is a 35% break in exchange rate buying from Canada now. Here is a picture of two mounted from deck level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtrailer Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 Thanks everyone. I had found the racket from Jack's site. Had not found any steel chops to mount them on. Thought they might be fabbed up Got mine from Camping World, on sale online. The steel work great. I welded a plate to the bottom with one inch on each side where I drilled 4 holes to bolt them to. I can load from either side. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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