How to tie the Atom down on a trailer

[Cjg62]

These are pics of how I tie my car down.
No chance of pulling the suspension around.
Chris

[Anon]

Thanks for posting your pictures, this is very helpful and makes perfect sense over strapping down the suspension components or wheels.

Any recommendations on where to get a trailer? Ideally one with a roof.

Cheers
Simon

[Hedge]

Search for a BJT one, they appear to be the most common. Cheap, they ain’t though (the covered ones)....

Cheers,
Hedge

[HenryJS]

CJG62 - this is a very secure way to tie down the car!

However - we wouldnt recommend using the main tubes at the front, becuase if there is any chance the paint could get damaged, this is a very conspicuous area.

However - that car will never, ever move on a trailer.

Here is our Prototype strapped in for its annual trip to the MOT station.

The rear strap is under the wishbones, over the chassis in the engine bay. Two straps isnt really necessary. but belt and braces approach is fine!

[Anon]

Search for a BJT one, they appear to be the most common. Cheap, they ain’t though (the covered ones)....

Cheers,
Hedge

Those Brian James Trailors look pretty good, but you are right the ones with a cover are quite expensive. To justify, I was thinking of using it as a car storage as well as transporter. I plan to do a self build, at the moment considering either a SLC, or a Ultima Evo - I'm leaning more towards an Evo. These are much cheaper than getting something like a Radical RXC and will satisfy my LMP itch. I have a double garage but will need that space for the build so thought the Atom 4 when built could live in this:
http://www.brianjames.co.uk/range/range ... d=2&rid=15

Only concern is it makes it easier to steal simply by towing away, that is the only drawback. That said it does kill two birds with one stone!

Simon

[Hedge]

Then use a couple of ground anchors/ chains instead, if not more. Trailers are VERY popular things to nick, more so with an exotic piece of machinery stuck on them for free...

Cheers,
Hedge

[autobackup]

Hedge

Good idea, provided that is, you don't pop down to B&Q to buy the chain - the sort of chains sold on the UK high street are generally poor quality (Chinese) mild steel and are eminently cuttable with a decent 30" bolt cutter.

FYI - A decent marine grade 30" or 36" bolt cutter will go through a high tensile motor biike security chain like a knife through butter - these type of security chains are usually too lightweight (thin) as they always have to be a compromise between effectiveness, useablity and weight!

I would suggest that the best way to do is to buy some seriously strong marine grade (60) high tensile stainless steel anchor chain from a marine chandlery (very expensive - but DON'T buy Chinese manufactured S/s chain) - that accomplished you then have to attach it to the trailer somehow which is usually constructed using galvanised mild steel which is also easily cut - so it would be sensible to attach some high tensile stainless steel brackets using lockable nuts or S/s rivets - BUT the S/s bits MUST be electrically isolated somehow from the trailer's galvanised steel frame to minimize any possible problems with galvanic corrosion.

https://jimmygreen.com/1000-Cromox-G6-S ... teel-Chain

https://galvanizeit.org/education-and-r ... ized-steel

After much cogitation I personally ended up buying a heavy duty Bulldog wheel clamp and the matching heavy duty Bulldog hitchlock for my new PRG trailer - so far so good!!

[Anon]

Thanks Autobackup for your great experience on this. Another option I was thinking, simpler one is to actually remove the wheels on the trailor and store the trailor on axel stands.

[Hedge]

All good ideas

Cheers,
Hedge

[abcoro]

I finally had the chance to get my trailer at home and put the Atom in it for the first time. Now, I have always strapped down my cars over the wheels and it seems common practise and accepted. So a bit surprised to read here that its actually not that good and strapping over the chassis is the better option?! Would love to know why actually. Is geometry setting really affected when strapping over the wheels? I did it with my Porsche Cup last 3 years and never had issues with alignment and geo setup tbh. Maybe its different with the Atom? Trying to understand…

[GraemeW]

Have a look at Henrys comments in this topic. His is the Ariel recommendation

[Szabo]

The Ariel user manual clearly describes how to secure it to the trailer (using chassis). Surly this is the safest way as in would negate any warranty risks etc.

[stupot]

I have used over the wheels on 2 Atoms and now Nomad since 2005 with no issues. I have a short trailer that doesn't allow me to strap via frame.

[autobackup]

Likewise to Stupot I've always strapped over the wheels of my Atom on my purpose built PRG trailer and have towed my Atom many a mile with no issues whatsoever.

Whenever the tracking/geometry has been checked (usually at the annual service) it's always been spot on!

I'm aware that Henry suggests strapping the chassis but when I asked I got no definitive reason why - I rather suspect that he simply prefers to do it that way?