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It has been brought to our attention that some of our Soft-Tie customers may be using aftermarket wheel straps on our equipment. These aftermarket straps are not designed to be used with the Boydstun Soft-Tie series. Inadequate shank length and hook gap can cause damage to our Soft-Tie decking. Also, the hook can fail if its gap does not allow the hook to properly engage the bar. The use of aftermarket wheel straps is a violation of the Boydstun Warranty Policy and Boydstun Metal Works Inc. cannot be responsible for damage of any kind resulting from their use.

Approved wheel straps are available through either the Portland, Oregon or Jacksonville, Florida Parts Departments.

To all owners and operators of Boydstun trucks and trailers used to transport automobiles:

Boydstun has learned that drivers have been injured recently while securing and unsecuring vehicles. Most of these injuries appear to have been caused by over tightening tie down systems, either to meet state or federal height requirements, or because the drivers have misunderstood how much force is necessary to secure a vehicle properly. Other drivers have been injured as a result of worn out or improperly maintained equipment.

As part of our on-going efforts to ensure driver safety, Boydstun has developed the attached recommended procedures for vehicle securement. While Boydstun's tie down systems are safe if used properly, any driver who fails to follow the attached procedures may injure himself while securing and unsecuring vehicles.

It is particularly important NEVER to use a tie down system to pull vehicle suspension systems down to attain state or federal height requirements or to over tighten tie down systems for any other reason. These practices are not condoned by Boydstun Metal Works and Boydstun will not assume liability for any injuries that result from over tightening. The only acceptable way to meet height requirements is to adjust the deck so that the carrier meets the relevant height requirements with all vehicles properly secured pursuant to the attached recommendations.

Boydstun Recommended Procedures
For Vehicle Securement

The following are recommended procedures for securing a vehicle on a Boydstun truck and trailer designed for hauling automobiles.

*NOTE* Failure to follow these procedures could result in physical injury to persons or damages to property.

Securement

1. Position vehicle on ramp. Apply vehicle parking brake.
   Vehicles must be positioned in their designated location with front wheels set straight ahead and parking brake engaged. Vehicles with automatic transmissions should be placed in park; vehicles with synchromesh transmissions must be placed in gear opposite the direction of incline.
   
   
2. Follow vehicle manufacturer's requirements to choose the proper tie down hook. Install proper hook in designated tie down hole. Chain angles should be at 35 degrees, +/- 10 degrees.
   
   *WARNING* Using an incorrect chain angle can result in a drastic increase in drag coefficient, thus increasing the amount of force needed to reach proper chain tension. This increased force can cause injury to persons or property.
   
   After all four chains are installed, take up slack using grab hook. This will prevent excess chain wrapped on winch pipe.
   
   
3. Before starting the tie down procedure, you must be able to achieve a 3-point stance (2 feet and 1 handhold) to brace yourself while pulling on the tie down bar with the other hand.
   
   *WARNING* Never push on the tie down bar—always pull. Pushing on the bar may cause you to fall or otherwise incur serious injury if you slip or if the chain or some other part of the tie down system breaks or comes unhooked while you are pushing.
   
   The proper amount of chain tension between the vehicle and idler or winch pipe is 700-800 lbs. With a 34" tie down bar and 35 degree angle, it only requires 50 lbs of force at the end of the tie down bar to achieve this amount of tension.
   
   
   
   Tie Down Chain Tension / Tie down bar pressure
   
   *WARNING* Exceeding 50 lbs. of force can result in significant property damage and serious injury. Under no circumstances should any driver ever apply more than 50 lbs of force to a tie down bar in order to secure a vehicle, nor should it ever be necessary to do so in order to properly secure a vehicle.
   
   
4. Starting at one corner of the vehicle, rotate winch to 50 lbs. of force. After all four corners are pulled down, go back to the first winch and reapply 50 lbs. of force. (This winch often loses tension after the following three are pulled down.) All chains must be pulled down evenly.
   
   *NOTE* Over tightening chains to gain clearance and using hydraulics to tighten chains is prohibited by Boydstun Metal Works. These practices could result in driver injury, damage to vehicle, damage to the transport, broken chains, and broken tie down components.
   
   

Unsecuring

1. Make sure vehicle is at 8 degree angle to horizontal or less.
   
   
2. Establish a 3 point stance and use your free hand to insert tie down bar in quick release barrel. Release pawl out of winch head. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Never position yourself between the vehicle and any other object when releasing winch pawls.
   
   *NOTE* Quick release ratchets are the safest available means of unsecuring a vehicle. Boydstun strongly recommends retro-fitting any unit that does not have quick release ratchets.
   
   
3. Remove chain and store properly.
   
   

Maintenance

Maintenance to transport equipment is important. The owner of the equipment is responsible for maintaining it.

*NOTE* Damaged idlers, winch pipes, and chains may require increased force to pull down a vehicle, which may, in turn, lead to personal injury or property damage.

To properly protect yourself and/or your driver, inspect your tie down systems regularly—at least every maintenance cycle—and check the force necessary to properly operate each tie down mechanism with strain gauges, which are available from Boydstun. Any worn or damaged parts must be replaced immediately, particularly if the wear or damage increases the force necessary to properly use the tie down system.

Training

If you have any questions about the securement and unsecurement procedures described above, please contact a Boydstun representative before using your tie down system. Training trailers are also available from Boydstun Metal Works to help you train new drivers and to give experienced drivers a better feel of how much force is needed to properly secure a vehicle.