Tie Down Wheel Bonnets

[AlfinVA]

With two replaced hips crawling under the back of the A to tie it down is getting difficult. I'm looking at an ALT Co. trailer with large lift up side doors through which you can reach in and put bonnets over the wheels. Then it's relatively easy to tie the bonnets down to e-track. I saw this at a show and it works well.
Do any of you use wheel bonnets? What's good? What's Bad?
How do they prevent side-to-side motion?
I think you would center the e-tracks under reach wheel. If you have cars, as I do with different tread widths, can you be off center? By how much?

[rosenkranswa]

I have a set of bonnets I use. They are very easy to put on and take off and when properly fitted essentially lock the wheel to the floor, so any side-to side motion is minimized. You do have to make sure they're centered over the wheel, properly tightened around the wheel, and properly tightened to the track.

Its better to center the wheel over the track, but there is some margin of error here - I tie down a Model T, Model A's, Early V8, Jeep, and a motorcycle with side car. All seem to work fine. I would guess you wouldn't want to get too far off line, but a couple inches doesn't seem to make a lot of difference.

[Jim/GA]

I use them on my trailer with E-track. I have towed cars of all widths. Having the track off center to the tire is no big deal.

You need to make sure that the bonnets are designed to attach to the E-track in 2 points directly below the tire. Mine was not originally setup that way. The strap with the ratchet went out at an angle from the tire to the E-track at a point way out to the front or back of the vehicle. It interfered with some fenders.

I had to add some tie-down attachment points to the straps to have them attach to the E-track straight down, and then the ratchet pulls the strap forward or back from that point, flat along the floor.

The attached photo is not Model A but it allows you to see the strap going straight down in the front of the tire and then the ratchet goes forward from there.

[old31]

Jim, thats a cool looking car. What is it?

It looks like the engine is going sideways.

[jw hash]

I have been using that system for over 20 years. it works real well, but I always tie the back of the car down pulling to the rear just incase I have to slam on the brakes.

[Jim/GA]

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Originally Posted by old31

Jim, thats a cool looking car. What is it?

It looks like the engine is going sideways.

A friend of mine built that as a 3-wheeler from parts. The power plant is a water-cooled motorcycle engine that drives the rear wheel. He built the frame and the front axle.

[whirnot]

I don't use bonnets but have a system that works well.
I never loosen the front straps. When loading, pull far enough forward to hook the straps up. Then back up to tighten. The hookup can be done without climbing under the car because you can reach the front axle.
Then back or push the car to tighten. Because the rear door is a wide ramp, it is pretty easy to lay down, hook everything up and tighten. When unloading just loosen the rears, place the straps to the side, roll the car forward, and once again, you can reach without getting down on the floor. I had My trailer made with E track on 4 foot centers. This is just inside the tires. If I had it done again, I might move them in a couple more inches.

[Smooth_One]

This is my setup. I use 4 two inch wide ratchet straps.
One on each corner. Two over the front axle, two over the rear axle.