Ski hold downs

[markw]

Are they necessary?
I know everyone uses them on their trailers but will a simple ratchet strap work?
If I load a sled on an atv trailer that dies not have ski holddowns and I use a strap on the front bumper and one on the rear am I risking the loss of my sled?
Any experience?

 

[tomx]

Biggest advantages are you're not loading up your suspension and you know that your sled is locked in. With tie downs your sled could move around during an emergency stop.

 

[chadlyt]

i use both. the ski tie downs work until you get in an accident.

A lot of people use tie downs only. I went by a accident 2 years ago and the trailer was on it's side in the ditch. The 2 sleds? they had moved, but were will help in place with the straps.

 

[snow_monkey]

I second that! The greatest areas of concern would be an emergency stop or a really bad surface roadroad. The bars in an emergency stop would have to shear off the bar hold down bolts before the sled would come flying into your truck. If you have to transport without bars make sure you have good quality straps and position them to be sure the sled does not slide forward or back. After a few miles pull over and make sure everything is still tight, the more straps the better.