Picking up a new-to-me manure spreader soon that is about 3 1/2 hours away. I plan to use a U-haul trailer with a ramp to transport it. What is the best way to secure it to the trailer so it doesn’t move around? Pretty sure it doesn’t have brakes and it weighs 1600 pounds.
WWYD?
WWYD?
I would check UShip or similar service about having a contract carrier haul the thing to me (quotes are free)
by the time you rent the trailer, add U-Haul insurance, buy the proper chain dogs and chain to secure the puppy to the trailer, then drive seven hours back and forth then unload then take trailer back… I think you might find a person on UShip that will do the task for about half or more less
To secure anything on a flat bed trailer, these, what else, trailer straps come in several sizes and strengths:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/EVEREST-…1021/203566760
A couple of them should do it, more is always better.
CEMENT/ Wooden BLOCKS … Positioned in front of and behind each tire …to help SECURE ( like mowers on a flatbed trailer) .
This only for an enclosed UHaul truck …
otherwise dangerous and should not be considered …
see later post …sorry I tht you were using a U Haul truck …
I second the Ratchet Straps… they’ll hold anything! 
Another vote for Ratchet Straps here.
If you choose to use concrete blocks be sure to secure those to the trailer too.
Before you go, I would make sure the INTERIOR width of your U-Haul is wide enough for the EXTERIOR width of the manure spreader…
The U-Haul should have multiple tie-down locations. I would also use ratchet straps… but I don’t use the “hooks” on the ratchet straps, instead I use massive caribiner snaps - snap to the “loop” below the ratchet strap hook and snap to the tie-down ring. Using the caribiners ensures nothing can wiggle and/or bounce loose. The one downfall of ratchet straps is the hooks, they can easily “let loose” if not ratcheted down SUPER tight, and some loads simply cannot be tightened down to that level.
There is no need for chains and boomers on a manure spreader small enough to fit in a U-Haul.
ZU ZU … This is a poor idea.
I thought she was using a U-Haul enclosed truck …
so yes my idea was dangerous
as a matter of fact I was almost killed on a highway - empty flatbed trailer had left wood blocks unsecured on empty trailer bed …
The driver hit a bump - :eek: and the heavy wooden block flew onto the highway and hit/ SHATTERED my windshield - in my face - I was lucky the block came at an angle …
My Aussie and I were lucky …
AGAIN I recommended this for an enclosed truck transport …I tht Uhaul only had enclosed trucks …
you are correct thanks …I’ll edit
The problem with that is that I have to pay the guy in cash! So I have to go no matter what. Rental for the U-haul trailer is $34.99.
Sounds like a good idea. I bought 4 ratcheting straps. Each holds 1000 lbs with a 3000 lb breaking strength. Does that sound like enough? I will see about the carabiners.
Confirming it will fit is a good idea!
We did pretty much this same thing, but for a smaller spreader. Got a little uhaul trailer with short walls and a ramp–perfect, right??? Only the width of the ramp and therefore the opening into the trailer was narrower than the rest of the trailer and about 6" too narrow to wheel the spreader onto the trailer! :eek: Thankfully it was a pretty wee little spreader and a few guys were able to life it up and over. But that was quite the surprise.
Lookma, if you’re renting one of those little uhauls with the walls and the ramp, measure that width! :lol: We use ratchet straps like these. Brand doesn’t really matter–it’s the 2" wide ones with the big handle. Good for all sorts of things! Those Home Depot ones are a pretty good deal :yes:
Assuming you are renting a car carrier it should have floor attaching points. The straps that Bluey linked to are what you want to use Strap the axle down to the floor on both sides. Take another one and throw it over the hitch bar and attach to the floor on both sides. Because this doesn’t have a “parking break” I would find a way to strap the front and rear to the trailer also. To keep it from slipping. Esp in the event you have to stop short. After you have been on the road for a little bit. Pull over and check all the straps and ratchet down if needed. Good idea to check from time to time.
Uhaul may rent ratchet straps.
Uh oh! I thought it would work. Now I am not so sure!
Ditto on Simkie!!! I went to pick up a new-to-me manure spreader with a U-haul trailer. I did not have the seller measure the spreader TIRE TO TIRE. But I thought I would be OK because the trailer was 6 feet wide and the manure spreader 5’ something. So I spend an hour at U-haul, drive THREE hours to Georgia in 98 degree weather with my old truck with no A/C.
I get there - we back up my U-haul to the sellers flatbed trailer and try to pull spreader into my trailer. WOULD NOT FIT!!! The opening in the U-haul trailer gate was five feet and the trailer was 5’3 inches wide. We would have had to take the wheels off for it to fit and I had no way of getting it out of the U-haul when I got home. So I drove 3 hours back home empty handed, seller drove an hour through Atlanta with spreader in tow.
I paid somebody else to drive over there with a big enough trailer to bring it back the next weekend. Lesson learned. Measure first!
Ha! Are you using those same trailers?! :lol:
NOW they have a little diagram on the site–both the 5x9 and 6x12 utility trailer with ramp are only effectively 4’9" wide for something you need to roll onboard. Wish we’d known that then! It all worked out but talk about an OH SHIT kind of moment! The car carrier might work better for your bigger spreader?
SusanO, that’s such a terrible feeling, isn’t it! All of those fabulous plans for naught!
It was not a fun day! My horse trailer was wide enough for the spreader but the horse compartment was too short to fit the spreader. It pushed me over the edge and after this one of many sucky U-haul experiences I broke down and bought a used flat bed trailer. That new to me trailer is almost eight feet wide and everything fits on it. No more surprises!
Hate to go against everyone, but rachet straps can and will get cut on sharp metal edges and the movement of tied down load on the road. They are not the best tool for this kind of job and the weight of the item being tied down. Trust me, YOU DO NOT WANT A LOAD GETTING LOOSE IN TRANSIT. This is not hay you are moving.
We haul machinery and you want to use chains with hook ends, with chain binders to secure your spreader in or on the trailer. Chains won’t cut thru if rubbing on metal edges during hauling. If there is a rental store nearby you could rent the chains, needed chain binders, and probably get a free lesson on how to tie down the spreader to be in compliance with laws regarding hauling equipment. These folks move large equipment all the time, should know the laws regarding safe movement on the roads. For our big backhoe, each of the corners must be chained securely. Recommended to also secure the bucket and hoe with their own chains and binders in case of rough roads.
I would get some 4x4 or 4x6 wood pieces that are the width of trailer. I would SPIKE THEM to the trailer floor in front and behind the wheels, to aid in keeping the spreader in place on the trailer. You will need large spikes to go thru that thick wood and go deep into the floorboards of trailer. Take a larger hammer, 4# or larger size to drive the spikes, your carpenter hammer won’t do it. You will need a pry bar to remove the 4x wood after getting home. But better to keep things where they belong, than be sorry about it later. This applies to the chains over rachet straps as well.
The driver is ALWAYS responsible for their load. Making sure it is firmly secured, can’t turn into problem while enroute to the final destination IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. You do not want it to be your fault the ill-secured load gets loose on you or hurts someone else.
Those 1000lb straps are not good enough. It will keep it still but they will quickly snap if you get into an accident. A quick or sudden stop will put much more than 1000lbs of force on those straps. Using multiple straps won’t work either as you most likely will run them in different directions and only one will be the weak link. As said above, the best bet is to use chains and binders. If those aren’t available then at least use some 10,000 lb straps. They are about $15 a piece at home depot which is cheap insurance. You need to tie the spreader down so not only won’t it come out the back of the trailer but also so that it won’t come barreling towards you in the truck if you happen to get into a front end accident.
Keith
Uhaul trailers are made of metal. There is no wooden floor.
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