Just the parking brake when trailering question.

[yzf1999]

I was wondering how many people just set the parking brake of their sled when trailering your sled somewhere instead of using ratchet straps. I talked to a guy and he said he never straps his sleds down in his enclosed he just sets the parking brake and they never move. Just wanting others opinion on this. If true it seems like an easy way to haul.

 

[yukon yamaha]

Hauling the machine with just the parking brake is all good until you jump on the binders or for some reason get into an accident...... Then everything piles up in the nose of the trailer. It is always a good practice to strap the machine down.

 

[yamadoo]

I asked the same ? Last year and was surprised to read that most reported just parking brake for large enclosed trailers. Well I did not get my floors routed to counter sink the Tie downs I bought so tried brakes alone and nothing moved at all. Couple of hard on the brake times not severe and all was fine .

I agree an accident or reall hard stop and they are going to move.

I better get to that this year!

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

Hauling the machine with just the parking brake is all good until you jump on the binders or for some reason get into an accident...... Then everything piles up in the nose of the trailer. It is always a good practice to strap the machine down.

Absolutely......For the price of a few GOOD straps and a few minutes it takes to strap them down.....HELL YA!!, Peace of mind and Cheaper on the Pocket Book over all. Especially seeing how soooooooooooo many really deck out their rides with custom everything now's not the time too be Cheap........In MY Opinion OFC

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

I better get to that this year!

 

[sxr70001]

One other thing to consider is that the Viper does not have a true parking brake like other Yamaha's. According to the owners manual it is not meant to be used for extended periods.

 

[4StrokeAddict]

Yes, there was another discussion about this. It may not be a true parking break, but its added insurance. I don't care what the manual says, safety is more important. 6 hours or so isn't likely to do damage and if it does, then its a bit of TLC.

And what A** HOLE doesn't tie down his machines. That is a 500+ pound projectile if you get in an accident and sledders inherently drive in crap weather. Even if you don't care about your life, have some consideration for others and don't be a Blue Falcon.

 

[canadianhunter]

Years back had the park brake set on a quad, outside air temp. went up and it blew the brake hose.

 

[kviper]

Ever see an open trailer with straps after any kind of an impact? May as well wipe your a$$ with the straps. They will be projectiles! Sled bumpers and hold downs will let go. Most hold downs in sled trailers are only bolted to plywood. Guess that makes me an A..hole! LOL

 

[IA Rider]

I use one strap on the front and another on the rear to keep the sleds from sliding into each other. I have seen sleds slide around and rub into each other when not tied down. It only takes a couple of minutes to put the straps on. Cheap insurance against scratching your sled.

 

[Teamblue4]

My Triton has built in slide rail system, the sleds get ski hold downs everytime. Triton trailers are awesome!

 

[4StrokeAddict]

Ever see an open trailer with straps after any kind of an impact? May as well wipe your a$$ with the straps. They will be projectiles! Sled bumpers and hold downs will let go. Most hold downs in sled trailers are only bolted to plywood. LOL

Yes I have seen a few, and its always ugly. But a strap tightly locked will help maximize static friction which will absorb more energy before letting go then a loosely tied or untied sled. Think about how you can pull a stuck sled/car gently and it won't move but it will when you jerk it. It's simple physics. Static friction will absorb more energy than rolling friction. The more overall energy absorbed, the safer the occupants.

I never said all snowmobile trailers were created equal. Ideally, the tie-downs would be connected to the frame like the old bar style. Those were really good and one of the really bad accidents I saw ended with the trailer upside down with the machines still locked in, though totaled like the rest of the rig. Plywood fastened tie-downs are insufficient, but still help absorb energy. Please don't make me do a math proof on the forum. This argument is like saying I'm not going to wear a seat belt because I may slip out or it may let go. Even if it does let go, it will still slow you down. I know its not quite apples to apples, but its close enough. I'm hot on this because saw the aftermath of an accident where an untied machine went through the drivers side window of the oncoming car. Tie down your machines people, tightly! It's cheep and only takes 2 minutes. I also believe its the law in most if not all states. I'll ask my cop buddy when I see him next week.

 

[thor452]

It bugs the sh** out of me when i see sleds on open trailers and just the tie down bar holding them on the trailer. I have seen the nut let go on hold down bars more than once. Also invest at least 20 bucks on the set of tie downs so they have a load capacity of at least the sleds weight. you dont even have to get in a wreck for the hold down bar nut to let go and sled is loose on the hwy and along comes my wife and kids in the minivan and my life is over, and poor poor you only have a junk sled and regret. if you have a solid enclosed trailer feel free to do as you wish cause the damage will stay in your trailer and only effect you but if you haul open and want to share the road with my family please be considerate. Can a strap break or a tie down let go sure but at least you have done all you can, and like 4strokeaddict said the strap will still absorb some if not most of the potential energy before it becomes kenetic. end rant thanks

 

[68ozzy]

I tried the 1st haul not tied down in the enclosed with just parking brake.....sleds were almost touching when checked on at the 150mile mark.....Then like IA Rider does I strapped to keep them from coming together ....Then I thought about the crash thing and it really takes 1min to throw an extra strap on each machine.....And its not like Im out in the elements freezing and cold putting them on....I strap em in....

 

[kviper]

I always strapped on an open trailer and usually don't in my in line. Depending on how many sleds I have in, the tie's are usually covered up due to off setting. With rubber mats and Yamaha parking break I have never had any movement even with a couple hard stops.