Which type of tie downs?

**Zapf** · 13th July 2005, 03:18

Something like that? with friction grabber for the webbing...

http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/ancra.jpg

Or something that goes around the a buckle better?

Thanks

LB · 13th July 2005, 03:35

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I've not heard of this brand of tiedown. We use Aerofast ones - made here in good old NZ, in Chch. Available from most bike shops or Motomail. I'm pretty sure The Warehouse sells them too, and probably Repco or similar. Can't remember the price, think it's around $25???

Never had any problem with them.
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**What?** · 13th July 2005, 06:34

I have had plenty of tie-downs break - Never an Aerofast, though.

**merv** · 13th July 2005, 08:12

Only use Aerofast, never bother with cheaper stuff.

LB you'd know, wasn't it the Wylie brothers that were behind Aerofast if I vaguely remember?

**2_SL0** · 13th July 2005, 08:42

Aerofast.

**XTC** · 13th July 2005, 08:52

Another vote for Aerofast here.

**Racey Rider** · 13th July 2005, 09:05

Aerofast.
Get the ones with the loop back to strap on one end. (how do you explain that?). two metal hooks, but one hook goes round the bike and through a loop back at the strap. Very handy, helps to protect the bike.
I would also consider the carabeanum (SP) at the other end type. That would ease the mind when hitting a big bump in the road, that the hook hasn't dislogded itself.`

**geoffm** · 13th July 2005, 09:24

Get Aerofast ones without a doubt. Don't buy the cheap Warehouse no-brand ones. They are crap adn break. I have a tank with a huge dent in it to prove what happens when a tiedown breaks while your bike is on the trailer. Just finished repainting it as well - first time out.
I hate crappy warehouse products.
Geoff

**Eddieb** · 13th July 2005, 09:39

Aerofast, no other.

**Blackbird** · 13th July 2005, 10:16

Aerofast seem to be the biz. The only thing I'd add is that I prefer ratchet type over friction tie-downs, especially if they're going to be used for multiple purposes. The friction grip ones I had always used to slacken off when I used them to hold my kayaks down on a trailer - maybe more shock loads than a bike on the inter-islander ferry for example.

**WRT** · 13th July 2005, 13:18

Originally Posted by Blackbird

The only thing I'd add is that I prefer ratchet type over friction tie-downs

I second that . . .

**pritch** · 13th July 2005, 15:36

Thanks for the posts, I'm planning a ferry crossing.

I was given some free tiedowns, very compact. BMWs come tied down in a box and if you know a BMW chemanic you may be able to get some of these. Having read your posts I may still buy some Aeroquip ratchet jobs though...

Cheap insurance really.

**speedpro** · 13th July 2005, 22:22

Aerofast with the hook next to the tensioner mechanism and a loop you pass round whatever and then hook up. The older ones had the hook on the bit you passed round which was a bit more difficult at times.

I too have had what appears to be a reasonable tiedown snap, thankfully while I was still tensioning things up in the drive. It appeared to have perished due to exposure to ultraviolet.

LB · 14th July 2005, 01:57

Originally Posted by merv

LB you'd know, wasn't it the Wylie brothers that were behind Aerofast if I vaguely remember?

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Don't remember the Wylie brother connection (though I do, of course, remember the Wylies).

I am fairly sure that The Warehouse sell exactly the same tiedowns, made by Aerofast, as the bike shops (along with, I'm sure, cheaper inferior tiedowns)
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**Ixion** · 14th July 2005, 02:03

Originally Posted by LB

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Don't remember the Wylie brother connection (though I do, of course, remember the Wylies).

I am fairly sure that The Warehouse sell exactly the same tiedowns, made by Aerofast, as the bike shops (along with, I'm sure, cheaper inferior tiedowns)
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Yes, they do. I was looking at them today. Aerofast branded ones and other "unknown" brands. The Aerofasts were not niticeably dearer either.