E Track For Enclosed Trailer?

[Tooned Up]

I pick up my new to me 28’ enclosed trailer tomorrow with the plan being to haul my daughters XP1000 and my X3 Max. After the cabinets come into play I have 25’10” of floor space to work with which leaves me with a tad less than 2’ of extra floor space. I know I will already have to put tie downs in to make it all work so my question is for those who have done it. Would you do a E Track rails for both cars or recessed D Rings? I’m thinking the E Track with over the tire tie downs might be the easiest to strap it all down. Having never used E Track in an enclosed, I don’t know if I’m going to hate them or not aside from the ease of tying the cars down. What say ye?

 

[JFMFG]

I pick up my new to me 28’ enclosed trailer tomorrow with the plan being to haul my daughters XP1000 and my X3 Max. After the cabinets come into play I have 25’10” of floor space to work with which leaves me with a tad less than 2’ of extra floor space. I know I will already have to put tie downs in to make it all work so my question is for those who have done it. Would you do a E Track rails for both cars or recessed D Rings? I’m thinking the E Track with over the tire tie downs might be the easiest to strap it all down. Having never used E Track in an enclosed, I don’t know if I’m going to hate them or not aside from the ease of tying the cars down. What say ye?

I did e track with bracing under the entire trailer in between floor rails. Mine is 24’. It’s nice having numerous tie down points vs just the recessed d rings.

 

[pronstar]

I ran a prep/transport company for a hot minute,…literally every carrier we ran used E Track, enclosed trucks/trailers included.

 

[Singleton]

Just did eTrack in mine.
Have pics on my iPad (will post later). Allows my daughter to drive both mine and her RZR’s into the trailer. Then have a eTrack tire chock for the front tire of mine (loads first). Then another for her RZR. Have a mark on the track so she knows where it goes

 

[DoughBallin14]

i put down x track in the toy hauler and it was solid and very versatile. Its e track just the clip part is mountable in 2 directions.

 

[Cooter01]

eTrack all day and I added four big d ring recessed for the sxs where it would normally sit to have options.

 

[EPL]

I put E Track next to diamond for the tire to go on .

 

[Tooned Up]

Just did eTrack in mine.
Have pics on my iPad (will post later). Allows my daughter to drive both mine and her RZR’s into the trailer. Then have a eTrack tire chock for the front tire of mine (loads first). Then another for her RZR. Have a mark on the track so she knows where it goes

Great info!!! Thank you

 

[Tooned Up]

I did e track with bracing under the entire trailer in between floor rails. Mine is 24’. It’s nice having numerous tie down points vs just the recessed d rings.

I did e track with bracing under the entire trailer in between floor rails. Mine is 24’. It’s nice having numerous tie down points vs just the recessed d rings.

This is what I had planned if I do it. Based off of the feedback, it’s a no brainer.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Doing e track project on our trailer right now. Get more backing plates than you think you need. I had to order another round of them.

 

[Meaney77]

I installed ETrack in my trailer and super happy with it.
I ordered the 8' powder coated sections from Amazon/DC Cargo. They also sell several accessories.
I have yet to buy them but Mac's tiedowns makes custom size wheel net tie-down systems that mount to ETrack and makes it super easy to tie down a vehcicle. My buddies have them and they are able strap their buggies down alot faster and a bit more secure than the traditional strap over the wheel method.

Amazon.com

https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/straps/automotive/wheel-nets/c/115/

 

[69hondo]

I installed ETrack in my trailer and super happy with it.
I ordered the 8' powder coated sections from Amazon/DC Cargo. They also sell several accessories.
I have yet to buy them but Mac's tiedowns makes custom size wheel net tie-down systems that mount to ETrack and makes it super easy to tie down a vehcicle. My buddies have them and they are able strap their buggies down alot faster and a bit more secure than the traditional strap over the wheel method.

Amazon.com

https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/straps/automotive/wheel-nets/c/115/

Is that a 4 pack of 4, 8'-0" tracks or 4, 2'-0" tracks equaling 8 feet?

 

[Waterjunky]

I was just looking a the amazon link above. it says its 2000 lb rated. I though lots of the etrack was 5k?

 

[Meaney77]

Is that a 4 pack of 4, 8'-0" tracks or 4, 2'-0" tracks equaling 8 feet?

1 pack = 4 ea 8' sections.

 

[69hondo]

1 pack = 4 ea 8' sections.

DANG!!! seems like a good deal.

 

[Singleton]

I was just looking a the amazon link above. it says its 2000 lb rated. I thought lots of the etrack was 5k?

I have only seen 2k. Also depends on mounting location. Floor vs wall IMO.

 

[Meaney77]

I was just looking a the amazon link above. it says its 2000 lb rated. I though lots of the etrack was 5k?

I have only seen 2k. Also depends on mounting location. Floor vs wall IMO.

Good observation! Honestly, I haven't really paid much attention to that aspect myself. I know my car’s wheelbase sits on top of four different tracks, so with 2,000 lbs at each wheel, it seems like more than enough hold-down capacity.


On a side note, I remember a few years ago, we were staying at the Islander for Desert Storm. I camped next to this super cool guy who owned a Renegade Motorhome. We had several conversations throughout our stay, and on the last day, we chatted about what each of us did for work. He mentioned that he owned a company specializing in tie-downs and tie-down products for off-road use. At that time, I think his company was just starting to grow and take off. He told me to check out his website, called Macs Custom Tie-Downs. It turns out, his company makes some pretty impressive products!

 

[HB2Havasu]

I pick up my new to me 28’ enclosed trailer tomorrow with the plan being to haul my daughters XP1000 and my X3 Max. After the cabinets come into play I have 25’10” of floor space to work with which leaves me with a tad less than 2’ of extra floor space. I know I will already have to put tie downs in to make it all work so my question is for those who have done it. Would you do a E Track rails for both cars or recessed D Rings? I’m thinking the E Track with over the tire tie downs might be the easiest to strap it all down. Having never used E Track in an enclosed, I don’t know if I’m going to hate them or not aside from the ease of tying the cars down. What say ye?

E-Track is the way to go in an enclosed trailer. I had it in my old Toyhauler for years with zero issues. With the limited space you're going to have, I would recommend getting Tire Bonnets for strapping down each car.

 

[Waterjunky]

My concern is not for holding the vehicle in place through normal use, its holding it in place if there is an accident. There is a reason that vehicle tiedowns are usually rated at a 10k break strength and only something like 3.5k working load. That vehicle gets real, real heavy in an accident. Those 40k total straps start sounding very good all of a sudden.

I look at the commercial vehicle haulers including the hot shots and big boys, none are using e-track, they are all using drop pins through holes in a steel deck. My cruzer weighs 4.5k give or take a little. I have thought about this a bunch, it would be easier to tie with e-track and tire webs vs axle straps and d rings but is it safe still in an emergency situation? I don't want the cruzer coming through the back of the truck cab if something goes wrong. Think about the height of the trailer deck, that's just about right for the vehicle to go straight over the frame of the truck and head for the cab if it comes loose. I really want to shear the ball / hitch and have the trailer and cruzer to hit the frame of the truck. this keeps the impact where it belongs on the truck. My family and I in the cab are still in the best place.

Am I missing something with this logic? That said, the e-track rated at 2k is working load not terminal strength right?

 

[n2otoofast4u]

My concern is not for holding the vehicle in place through normal use, its holding it in place if there is an accident. There is a reason that vehicle tiedowns are usually rated at a 10k break strength and only something like 3.5k working load. That vehicle gets real, real heavy in an accident. Those 40k total straps start sounding very good all of a sudden.

I look at the commercial vehicle haulers including the hot shots and big boys, none are using e-track, they are all using drop pins through holes in a steel deck. My cruzer weighs 4.5k give or take a little. I have thought about this a bunch, it would be easier to tie with e-track and tire webs vs axle straps and d rings but is it safe still in an emergency situation? I don't want the cruzer coming through the back of the truck cab if something goes wrong. Think about the height of the trailer deck, that's just about right for the vehicle to go straight over the frame of the truck and head for the cab if it comes loose. I really want to shear the ball / hitch and have the trailer and cruzer to hit the frame of the truck. this keeps the impact where it belongs on the truck. My family and I in the cab are still in the best place.

Am I missing something with this logic? That said, the e-track rated at 2k is working load not terminal strength right?

Unless you have a VERY high end trailer, when/if an accident happens the structure of the trailer will be the weak link. Floor joists and truss construction will fail before the e-track does. If the trailer rolls over, the trusses are going to cave and whatever is in the trailer is along for the ride. That all to say, lets pretend you have a SxS strapped in there. Do you think the A-Arms of any SxS MFG or going to stay connected in a 10K impact situation!? The reality of ANY of these tie downs is to keep things in pace during normal travel so they are not wreaking havoc on walls, cabinets, other vehicles, etc. In the unfortunate event of a major crash, none of this comes into play. I have been a part of (2) serious crashes with trailers and despite everything being ties down, the inside of the trailers looked like the internals of a maraca when done.

 

[Waterjunky]

Unless you have a VERY high end trailer, when/if an accident happens the structure of the trailer will be the weak link. Floor joists and truss construction will fail before the e-track does. If the trailer rolls over, the trusses are going to cave and whatever is in the trailer is along for the ride. That all to say, lets pretend you have a SxS strapped in there. Do you think the A-Arms of any SxS MFG or going to stay connected in a 10K impact situation!? The reality of ANY of these tie downs is to keep things in pace during normal travel so they are not wreaking havoc on walls, cabinets, other vehicles, etc. In the unfortunate event of a major crash, none of this comes into play. I have been a part of (2) serious crashes with trailers and despite everything being ties down, the inside of the trailers looked like the internals of a maraca when done.

I'm actually talking about an open equipment trailer. Additionally a full size rock crawler on it...... Same concept, different world. this is also why I have been concerned over the Cruzer coming to visit me into the cab of truck if something serious happened.

I actually think the axles would stay under it. She isn't stock.... The trailer is a 10k rated equipment trailer (not car). Its all going to be a mess but my guess is that the trailer will not fold up too bad, the cruzer will stay intact. The 10k straps will break long before you tear the hemi joints apart or rip mounts apart. The weak points I see are the 2 5/16 ball, the truck hitch, and the then finally if something solid is found, the strapping or anchors.

 

[petie6464]

i put down x track in the toy hauler and it was solid and very versatile. Its e track just the clip part is mountable in 2 directions.

^^ This. The ratchets seem to always be the wrong direction, this solves that issue.

 

[Thing One]

Question for those that run e track? Seems most the traps just go over the tread of the tire, instead of netting around it. What happens if the tire deflates and the strap is loose? I kinda like the idea of a e track set up and more of a strap that goes over/around the tire if that makes sense?

This would be on an open trailer, not enclosed.

 

[Cooter01]

Question for those that run e track? Seems most the traps just go over the tread of the tire, instead of netting around it. What happens if the tire deflates and the strap is loose? I kinda like the idea of a e track set up and more of a strap that goes over/around the tire if that makes sense?

This would be on an open trailer, not enclosed.

I run this setup and use a normal vehicle strap down, you can secure whatever you are hauling very easily with e track attachments, they just lock into the e track and are very secure.

E Track Tie Down W/ D Ring | 4,000 lbs. Break Strength

The 2" Spring E-Fitting w/ D-Ring is essential for any e-track system to secure cargo to an interior van trailer.Count on US Cargo Control for all of your E-Track tie-down needs.

www.uscargocontrol.com

 

[Orange Juice]

My concern is not for holding the vehicle in place through normal use, its holding it in place if there is an accident. There is a reason that vehicle tiedowns are usually rated at a 10k break strength and only something like 3.5k working load. That vehicle gets real, real heavy in an accident. Those 40k total straps start sounding very good all of a sudden.

I look at the commercial vehicle haulers including the hot shots and big boys, none are using e-track, they are all using drop pins through holes in a steel deck. My cruzer weighs 4.5k give or take a little. I have thought about this a bunch, it would be easier to tie with e-track and tire webs vs axle straps and d rings but is it safe still in an emergency situation? I don't want the cruzer coming through the back of the truck cab if something goes wrong. Think about the height of the trailer deck, that's just about right for the vehicle to go straight over the frame of the truck and head for the cab if it comes loose. I really want to shear the ball / hitch and have the trailer and cruzer to hit the frame of the truck. this keeps the impact where it belongs on the truck. My family and I in the cab are still in the best place.

Am I missing something with this logic? That said, the e-track rated at 2k is working load not terminal strength right?

I would not worry about the trailer hitting you from behind. I’d worry more that the trailer is loaded correctly, and its weight distribution is setup to give your vehicle maximum braking and steering capabilities.

That’s a big trailer behind that pickup. (I-80 today)

 

[RiverDave]

I'm curious as to why you guys are picking e track over MACS tieddowns?

I ran Macs in my trailer.. Love it!

RD

 

[petie6464]

i put down x track in the toy hauler and it was solid and very versatile. Its e track just the clip part is mountable in 2 directions.

^ This. I DIDN'T go to the X Track and have been sorry 90% of the time I use it.

 

[Meaney77]

I'm curious as to why you guys are picking e track over MACS tieddowns?

I ran Macs in my trailer.. Love it!

RD

Doesnt the MAC's kit still tie down to an etrak-type strip?

 

[RiverDave]

Doesnt the MAC's kit still tie down to an etrak-type strip?

No it's way different.. they make an e track stye deal but their extruded aluminum is what I'm talking about.

https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/track/c/200/

 

[Singleton]

No it's way different.. they make an e track stye deal but their extruded aluminum is what I'm talking about.

https://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/track/c/200/

I went with etrack. Was available in black and easier to get when I did my trailer.
I like the VersaTie setup, but I had all my etrack accessories already.