PinballWizard
Expert Expediter
What types / lenghts / etc of straps does everyone suggest for a sprinter ? Also, should I get some of those 2x4 sockets and if so what types? Pallet pullers.... clamp type or hook type.
Thanks
Thanks
E-Track equipment for Sprinter
- Thread starter PinballWizard
- Start date
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
I have a pair of 12' and a pair of 20' e-track ratchet straps - I use the 12' straps at a ratio of about 50 to 1 over the 20' ones. I'd actually prefer to have another pair of 12' straps. I also have three 12' cam buckle type e-track straps ..... I use these even less frequently than the 20' ratchet straps.
You can pick up protective sleeving for hydraulic hoses slightly wider than your straps and cut it to an appropriate length and slide it over the straps as a wear guard/anti-chaffing sleeve.
I have several of the clips for 2 x 4's (2 x 6's, 2 x 8's, etc) - I have only used these for a piece of 2 x 6 that I use as a load stop on the floor e-track. The 2 x 6 has a piece of e-track screwed to it (thanks Moot !)
I also have four Kinodyne aluminum load bars (which I cut down and repinned to fit the Sprinter's width) - I would only have two but my carrier wanted me to get four to carry freight (double-stacked) for a particular customer ...... loads that have never materialized so far. If you are interested in one or two of them, PM me.
I have a clamp (jaw) type pallet puller - and it has worked great. I use about 12' to 14' of 5/16 chain with it with a grab hook on one end and a repair link that scews closed on the other end.
You can also make a puller out of steel plate to pull steel tubs or bins if you haul those. Use 1/4 or 5/16 plate minimum and make it maybe about 2" wide x 6" or 8" long (the part that slips down over the side of the bin) - it would look like a squared off "question mark" laid on it's side.
You can pick up protective sleeving for hydraulic hoses slightly wider than your straps and cut it to an appropriate length and slide it over the straps as a wear guard/anti-chaffing sleeve.
I have several of the clips for 2 x 4's (2 x 6's, 2 x 8's, etc) - I have only used these for a piece of 2 x 6 that I use as a load stop on the floor e-track. The 2 x 6 has a piece of e-track screwed to it (thanks Moot !)
I also have four Kinodyne aluminum load bars (which I cut down and repinned to fit the Sprinter's width) - I would only have two but my carrier wanted me to get four to carry freight (double-stacked) for a particular customer ...... loads that have never materialized so far. If you are interested in one or two of them, PM me.
I have a clamp (jaw) type pallet puller - and it has worked great. I use about 12' to 14' of 5/16 chain with it with a grab hook on one end and a repair link that scews closed on the other end.
You can also make a puller out of steel plate to pull steel tubs or bins if you haul those. Use 1/4 or 5/16 plate minimum and make it maybe about 2" wide x 6" or 8" long (the part that slips down over the side of the bin) - it would look like a squared off "question mark" laid on it's side.
theoldprof
Veteran Expediter
Wiz,
I carried a 20ft length of 1/4 inch chain and also a tow strap. Both come in handy for pulling loads out. Tow strap is great for pulling vans out of icey loading docks. I KNOW. I also carried the D ring and O ring fixtures for E track. They both work with rope. I have used rope on occasion. If the chain gets too dirty, wash it in the dishwasher. (when wifey isn't home). The nylon tow strap can be washed in the washing machine. Also when wifey isn't home.
:+ :+
I carried a 20ft length of 1/4 inch chain and also a tow strap. Both come in handy for pulling loads out. Tow strap is great for pulling vans out of icey loading docks. I KNOW. I also carried the D ring and O ring fixtures for E track. They both work with rope. I have used rope on occasion. If the chain gets too dirty, wash it in the dishwasher. (when wifey isn't home). The nylon tow strap can be washed in the washing machine. Also when wifey isn't home.
:+ :+
For a Sprinter, all you'll probably need (certainly all you'll need to get you started) is a couple of yellow and a couple of gray e-track ratchet straps, a pair of e-track 2x4 brackets (for each pair of e-track you have, i.e., one pair on the floor and one pair on the walls), a 2x4 or a 2x6 for the brackets as a load bar, and something to use as a pallet puller.
For the pallet puller, you can get a fancy claw, which works killer, or use a strap of some kind. My brother drives a flat bed, and I simply stole from him an old 2-inch by 27-foot long winch strap with a flat hook on one end. It was due to be retired, anyway.
http://www.talcospecialties.com/images/strap1.jpg
Most skids, down where you insert the forks, in the middle of the skid you can loop the strap around the skid board there, and then hook the flat hook onto the strap, making it a loop puller. The other end I tie around the fork's lift brace in a half-a-square-knot and then hold the other end out to the side of the fork truck. The fork truck backs up a few feet and pulls the skid right out. Quick and easy.
Once in a while I'll have skids will solid boards and no way to loop the strap under there. In those cases I can usually catch the flat hook onto one of the top boards, or simply loop the entire strap around the whole skid and pull it that way.
Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop
For the pallet puller, you can get a fancy claw, which works killer, or use a strap of some kind. My brother drives a flat bed, and I simply stole from him an old 2-inch by 27-foot long winch strap with a flat hook on one end. It was due to be retired, anyway.
http://www.talcospecialties.com/images/strap1.jpg
Most skids, down where you insert the forks, in the middle of the skid you can loop the strap around the skid board there, and then hook the flat hook onto the strap, making it a loop puller. The other end I tie around the fork's lift brace in a half-a-square-knot and then hold the other end out to the side of the fork truck. The fork truck backs up a few feet and pulls the skid right out. Quick and easy.
Once in a while I'll have skids will solid boards and no way to loop the strap under there. In those cases I can usually catch the flat hook onto one of the top boards, or simply loop the entire strap around the whole skid and pull it that way.
Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop
The Enemy
Veteran Expediter
On my Sprinter I have 3 rows of E-track on the floor, from the back door all the way up to the back of the front seats. One goes straight down the middle, the other two are by the wheel wells. I found that this gives me more strapping options. As far a skid puller I have 2 options, a 20 foot towing strap I bought a long time ago from Walmart when we went muddin one weekend. My second option is a 20 ft piece of chain off of a flatbed tow truck, one end has a 6" hook, the other has a 20" hook. I bought the chain one from a flea market for $1 and i think it was a good investment. As far as load strapping goes I normally use just 2 gray 16' ratchet straps, but have more if necessary. I recently bought a few 1.5" ratchet straps with hooks at both ends witch if necessary will be used to hold 2 or more 55 gal drums together. I also have 2 sets of etrack load locks for the floor with 2 2x4's. I also found some thick cardboard corners to put on the edges of skids to protect the straps and the freight while strapping.
Another thing I would recommend is get a couple of moving blankets, or go to a salvation army and pick up a couple of thicker blankets for a few $. These saved me one time cause the customer was shipping a huge trans that was bolted to a metal platform. they told me I could only strap the metal platform, but not over the trans as not to scratch the new paint. I did as instructed, started driving and then the load shifted a little. I pulled over, took the extra blankets I had in the van and folded them over the top of the trans then X'd the straps on top of the blankets and strapped everything down again. When I got to the consignee They were told to instruct the item to make sure it wasn't scratched. They looked at it and reported that there was no damage. Thank god I had those extra blankets in the van to protect and safely strap down the load
Another thing I would recommend is get a couple of moving blankets, or go to a salvation army and pick up a couple of thicker blankets for a few $. These saved me one time cause the customer was shipping a huge trans that was bolted to a metal platform. they told me I could only strap the metal platform, but not over the trans as not to scratch the new paint. I did as instructed, started driving and then the load shifted a little. I pulled over, took the extra blankets I had in the van and folded them over the top of the trans then X'd the straps on top of the blankets and strapped everything down again. When I got to the consignee They were told to instruct the item to make sure it wasn't scratched. They looked at it and reported that there was no damage. Thank god I had those extra blankets in the van to protect and safely strap down the load
Speaking of blankets, if you are short on storage space, at the truck stops you'll find those fleece blankets. They aren't nearly as thick as moving blankets, but they'll do nicely when folded once or twice. It's a good idea to carry a couple of those, anyway, in case you get stranded with no heat, 'cause they will keep you warm. And as long as you've got 'em for emergencies, they make great blankets for the freight if you ever need them for that. I carry one of the fleece blankets, and I also happen to have one of the thick wool moving blankets. Never had to use them to keep warm, yet, but I've used them 3 or 4 times for freight.
Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop
Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop
