we use the rear grab handle and front bumper xt model.

 

I use the same as kd7joe does, if yours isn't an xt you should use the front and rear aluminum bars as tie points to your trailer or truck( least like they mention in the owners manual).

Use the ratchet straps, the pull ones aren't as strong and have been known to fail/break.

 

Mine gets strapped on a flat trailer. 4 straps per quad in an X configuration. Rear straps get hooked to either side of the hitch and front straps hook to lower A-arms.

 

If you use a downward force to secure you quad it will loosen up as the suspension travels from normal driving. In a pick up you should use something as a spacer between the front of the bed and the front of the quad and pull it foward.
Or on a trailer (like I do) I made a sling with 3 hooks and 5/8 rope that attaches under the quad behind the A arms and to the trailer and in the rear 2 rachets from the trailer to the gussets by the driveshaft. On a couple of hundred mile trip it doesn't move a fraction of an inch.

 

Hey Skioutty, if you could post some pics of the actual tie down points on your Outty, that would be great. I'm having problems keeping my machine secure too when using the front bumper. Our great roads here in Pa. compresses my Outty's suspension on the trailer going down the road and I end up with loose straps.

 

Actually going to Lost Trails on Sunday , so I'll snap a couple of pictures when I load on Saturday.
Where you from in PA?

 

I usually only tie down one side of the machine(2 straps) unless I am going long distances I tie down both sides(4 straps). I know the 2 strap thing is lazy but it has worked for over 10 years for me. I go from the FRONT rack (near the tank cover) to the REAR steak pocket and from the REAR rack (near the seat) to the FRONT steak pocket. The straps cross when installed. Always has worked great for me.

 

X2 I have found this to work best for me. Rear of front racks and front of rear racks cross tied and pulled tight with 2" ratchet straps. Even on rough roads never a squirm. I load two sideways on my trailer this way with commander X behind. Commander gets two straps to the front and one large strap to rear.

 

2011 outie 650
One the rear is use a heavy chain xx inches long with a hook on each end. The hook on the bike goes through the side of the trailer hitch.
On the front I use a 2 inch wide ratchet strap hooked to the chrome bar above the winch. On the front I do not like that the strap pulls the bike down on the suspension so much and will now make a spacer to go below the belly pan and deck of trailer. This will stop the strap from pulling the bike down on the suspension.

 

i use straps that have no hooks and use the bumpers front and rear never had any problems with the straps loosening

 

On a trailer I attach to the frame. The body bounces some on rough roads, but it doesn't move. In the back of the truck I hook to the hitch on the back and to the rack in front. You would have to hit some serious bumps or potholes to bounce it enough to bend the racks.

 

I'm in S.E. Pa. and ride most in Tioga, Potter and Clearfield counties in Pa. Thanks for taking the time to snap a few photos.

 

I have a short bed titan with a 5.5ft bed, so I have the tailgate down when I'm moving my quad.
I usually strap it from the rear rack forward to the front corner of the bed on each side and then strap from the trucks hitch over the tailgate thats down to the quad hitch.
here is a pic of the setup

hasn't moved yet.
on the trailer when I load them sidways I use the two straps off the rear frame to the trailer then the winch to the trailer in the front and use the winchs power to tighten everything up, but not TOO tight

 

Rotaxrage I'm all loaded for tomorrow. Heres the trailer tie down points and the rope sling.

 

And under the Outlander up front

 

And the rear

 

All loaded

 

All loaded

The right way to tie any vehicle with suspension is to tie it like car transportation trucks do, they tie from tire itself and on each tire, the strap is attached to the front side of tire and the strap goes on top of the thread all the way rear where the ratchet is attached. This way the vehicle suspension travel when trailer hits the bump doesn't affect the straps, like would happen when vehicle is tied from frame and the frame movement will loosen the straps and rebounch will suddenly stopped against the straps and this usually tears something off.

Now another thing to consider is the angle the strap goes.

Skiotty's is pretty close to horizontal, which is good as when atv suspension compresses the straps angle doesn't change much.

If tied from racks on top of the machine, the straps will be on steep angle
and allow machine to move during the the time suspension is compressed.

Well I don't have that many tie down points on middle of my trailer so I use style similar to Skioutty's and haven't had any issues during my 1100 miles drive from Kansas City to Utah.

 

WOW! Thanks for taking so many detailed photos of your set-up. Looks like you have the ticket on the right way to keep your toys anchored to your hauler. Your set-up gets rid of the compressed suspension issue for sure.
Off topic comment here..... Clean under belly on your machines! How do ya do that?

 

Kleinbus, looks like Skioutty got it right. Thanks for the info.

 

A little late to the game here,
Here is how I tie down both my machines. :th_smiliethumbsup:
By strapping the rear wheels down. the quad's suspension is allowed to do what it is supposed to do and that's bounce!
With the back wheels tie down in this manor and the front wheels up against a rail, and in park with the breaks locked, they go no where. This also does not compress the suspension but allows for a nice smooth ride for the machine.
I drive from RI to Maine this way with no problems.
I pick up the Erickson Horizontal E-Track, 2 ft & straps from Tractor Supply

 

A little late to the game here,
Here is how I tie down both my machines. :th_smiliethumbsup:
By strapping the rear wheels down. the quad's suspension is allowed to do what it is supposed to do and that's bounce!
With the back wheels tie down in this manor and the front wheels up against a rail, and in park with the breaks locked, they go no where. This also does not compress the suspension but allows for a nice smooth ride for the machine.
I drive from RI to Maine this way with no problems.
I pick up the Erickson Horizontal E-Track, 2 ft & straps from Tractor Supply

I like this way also. :th_smiliethumbsup:

 

Never too late Res2cue. That's a cool way too keep the machines parked. Pretty ingenious, never saw that but looks real effective and simple.

 

Securing your atv when you are not at home.

 

:yahoo: Awesome! Is this your handywork?

 

What are you guys using for straps? I keep buying 1 or 2 four-packs every summer but I just get the $19.99 cheapos. Was thinking of buying either these:

Highland 1 in. x 10 ft. Aluminum Casted Ratchet Strap, Pack of 4 - 3011686 | Tractor Supply Company

or these:

Erickson Rubber Handle Ratchet Strap with Vinyl Coated "S" Hooks, 2000 lb. maximum, Pack of 4 - 3013298 | Tractor Supply Company

Any suggestions?

 

Just make sure their not the ones with the very thin webbing.

 

Yep, Stay away from the cheapos. The thin webbing is only meant for light loads( and thrown away if they break). Use the heavier straps( you don't have to go with truck type straps, but up to you). Friend of mine uses chains to attach to the rear of his quad, ( they are attached to his trailer) then uses his winch to a tow point on the front of his trailer.

Gonna look into that Horizontal E-track though, looks like a quicker solution.

 

I was thinking about getting a Louisiana Guard Dog rather than using the straps....looks alot quicker and safer than straps....anybody have thoughts about them???

 

I've used one for about 9 months and really like it although it is definitely NOT quicker than using straps. By the time you install the lower piece in the hitch receiver, load the quad, install the vertical piece, adjust the quad if not centered in the truck and tighten 2 bolts with a wrench/socket you could have easily attached a strap or two in that time. I do still use a strap for the front just for extra security and to conform to MTO regulations.

Overall, I like the piece of mind knowing that the quad has virtually no chance of moving forward/backward and you also have the ability of locking the Guard Dog to your quad using locking hitch pins if you need to leave it in your truck unattended for any length of time.