We have recently bought a Daxara trailer ready for camping in a few weeks. I have purchased a flat trailer cover to put over the top.
My question is do I need to secure the equipment in the trailer as well as using the cover? Or do the covers provide enough tension to stop things jumping out?
I think it all depends on what is in the trailer and how tough the cover is.
On my old trailer the cover was made of canvas and secured by cleats all the way round which was pretty secure.
I think you will need just to use a bit of common sense bearing in mind the contents and how likely they are to bounce out over rough roads.
If in doubt use additional straps.
Daves1
I would very much agree with Dave's, "..if in doubt use additional straps..", approach
Whenever I secure stuff (be it a load in a trailer or work kit on a roof rack etc), I always strap in a way so that if one, or even two, came loose, the load would still stay secure.
Usually a trailer tarp cover will only have the one continuous elastic strap?..if so, then if that did let got/come loose, they may be little left securing your kit?..
So a couple of additional ratchet straps, over the lot, wouldn't go amiss...
On our trailer, I have fitted cleats all the way around, then the elastic around the cover hocks on to them, on top of the cover, I have always used bungie cords, hoocked onto the cleats. I use 6\7 bungies son that all cleats are used, (front to back,diagonally from the end cleats on each side, then one on the middle cleats on the sides) I have always found this to be more than another. And if we take my little girls small bike, I also use the bungies to secure this on top of the cover. Travelled many 100s of miles like this with no problem at all.
Im a engineer so I built our trailer my self, so my cleats are bolted on,and not screwed on with wood screws, more for peace of mind, but also knowing I can use them as above!!
------------- May 2020 - tbc
7tth August -15th August 2020 trevornick Cornwall
Oh - were getting our first trailer this week too - never considered about having to strap things down - just thought that tarp would be enough - can you get the rachet straps from Halfords? Just as time pressed as going away on Saturday and picking up the trailer on Friday night .
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children
oh and do you just ratchet over the tarp and around the bottom?
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children
Quote: Originally posted by jeffersskate on 26/7/2015
oh and do you just ratchet over the tarp and around the bottom?
I suppose it depends on a number of things...
The condition & fit of the tarp, along with the condition/strength of the "parimeter" bungee?.....and what it is you are actually lugging?(..is it "heaped" above the trailer sides?).
As long as the tarp and bungee are in good nick, I'd probably just use couple of extra ratchet straps, running diagonally from front too back(so as to alleviate any chance of the front of the tarp lifting..).
But as said, if in doubt, add more..
Re;Ratchet straps.
Don't be tempted to get "Poundshop" standard of straps.. We've got some decent(ish) straps which we've had/used for best part of 10 years..and although they were nothing flash, they would've been "branned" and from a "proper" car ccessory shop or trade tool outlet.
I mistakenly bought an extra pack of straps from a "Bargain shop" type place a couple of summers ago...and they were absolutely awful things!
...thankfully the were so obviously awful (two twanged themselves to bits, whilst I was just trying them out!), that they didn't get chance to fail in use...
They went straight in the bin!
..I didn't even *bother keeping the webbing, which was really thin and already fraying(...*most unlike me, as I'm usually a "..it'll come in handy.." type ).
Our trailer last week was stacked well above the rim but with the cover on and plenty of bungee straps nothing moved and everything made it to and from home in one piece
My advice if you have a wooden trailer would be to add some extra screws or bolts at different heights around the sides just to give you more options when trying to get enough tension with your bungees
------------- July 2015 - Stowford Farm North Devon
Our trailer is new as is the tarp (getting it on Friday eve ready for going away on Saturday) - will grab some in Halfords then on Friday :) thankyou :)
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children
------------- June 2015: seaview international 2 nights
July 2015: little winnick 2 nights
August 2015: lower polladras 5 nights
august 2015: tollgate farm 5 nights
august 2015: oakdown 3 nights
September 2015: tregarton park
family of 6 with young children
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Trailer Load Question
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