Shipping Tie Downs

[james m. calt]

So let's put our Eurovan in a container, tie it down and ship it to Europe for an extended touring vacation. Yea, I know the "...coals to Newcastle..." thing but with all the extensive modifications we have done there is nothing like having our custom home with us for 9 months or so. Getting back to the "TIE DOWN" part though. I know one of you sharp tow truck drivers or tinkerers knows exactly the best, safest, cheapest way to tie one down inside of a 20' container.

Vagabond Jim

[xeno]

Airline cargo straps.

To purchase, just type in google shopping...
_________________
1952 Crotch Cooler Deluxe (US specs delivered to Stuttgart, Germany GI.)
1955 Early (Competition Motors - Hollywood, California)
1974 Thing (US specs - Mexicanos)
2008 Rabbit S (Wolfsburg DE)
2012 Golf TDI Tech Package (Wolfsburg DE)

[ToolBox]

I am sure that you can find a solution from Mac's Custom Tie Downs. Might not be inexpensive but it will be safe and secure. I use them on all of our trailers at work to secure our prototype test vehicles.

[sub-hatchtim]

where do you work

prototype cars I need pics
_________________
(o\!/o)

58' pg/sg sub hatch westy
90' doka 1.6td jx import from germany

[tirekicker]

Timmmmbbbaaaaaahhhh!!!!!
_________________
DhK
Phuckancer


(16:45:42) Russ_Wolfe: TK, you are like a Maytag washer
(16:46:44) tirekicker: and what's a maytag washer?
(16:47:35) Russ_Wolfe: If you are not agitating, you are not working right

[sub-hatchtim]

sup tk
_________________
(o\!/o)

58' pg/sg sub hatch westy
90' doka 1.6td jx import from germany

[drscope]

One of the biggest things to deal with is what to tie to in the container! Many of them have no good tie down points.

Some shipping companies will allow you to make modifications to the containers - others will not.

Finding tie down points on the cars is pretty easy, but it's the other end of the strap you need to worry about.

Also, make sure you have it strapped DOWN, not just forward to back! It needs to strapped so the car can not roll in ANY direction! A car going in a container is a LOT different then a car going on a roll back.

You want to make sure it can not move inside the container no matter what angle the container is put on - especially if it is going by boat! The sea can get very angry and you don't want your car banging around inside the container during a storm.

And the last thing you want is PLENTY of insurance just in case! And make sure you know what you are going to receive if the boat sinks or your container gets dropped.
_________________
Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

[mgamike]

DrScope's got it right.
Get a couple old mattresses and put them front, rear and both sides. Strap the van so it cannot under any circumstances move sideways. Don't just put one strap on the left front and right rear or you'll be seeing a dented left front and right rear van when you get it(or right front/left rear, but you get the idea.) Block the tires if you can. Usually you can put some 2x4 blocks into the floor, but you have to check with the container company as previously stated. If you can, block front and rear each tire and put another 2x4 blocked on top of the first. Block the tires sideways also. It always helps.
Best idea is if you can find an overseas shipping company and pay them to ship it. Make sure it's insured.

[drscope]

I helped a guy a while back who took delivery of a container. It was a big surprise when he opened the door to find the car hanging up side down in the container.

Fortunately, other then fluid leakage, there wasn't any serious damage done.

After that I always felt they treat those containers the same way UPS, FedEX and the post office treat cardboard boxes!

Pack for the worst and hopefully it will get there with out any problems.

But you also need to look into not only the shipping costs, but any import duties you may incur. Make sure on your paper work, you aren't paying to import the car, just to bring it in for a while. There can be a big difference.

Also you want to know for sure you will be able to take delivery on BOTH ends of the trip! I know a guy who has 2 Lambos that have been sitting in Customs in Baltimore for over 15 years!
_________________
Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

[hitest]

One thing you can do is create a virtual "false bottom" for the container. Use two custom cut full sheets of plywood to create floor panels that exactly fit the inside floor area of the container. Then you drive up onto them. You then anchor your straps to the panels exactly as you would a flatbed trailer- and block the tires with wedges bolted to your new false floor. The weight of the car, combined with the tight fit of your false floor makes for a very stable platform. The only thing it does not address very well is excessive bouncing- but I'd hope the car's weight would keep things down.
_________________