6 Best E Track Tie Downs For Atv Hauling That Prevent Common Issues
Secure your ATV and prevent common hauling issues. We review the 6 best E Track tie-downs that stop shifting, slippage, and suspension compression.
You’ve got the ATV loaded, the trailer hooked up, and you’re ready to hit the trail. But as you pull out of the driveway, you can’t help but glance in the rearview mirror, wondering if those straps are really holding. Securing a few thousand pounds of machine is serious business, and getting it wrong can lead to a damaged ATV, a damaged trailer, or worse. The right E-track tie-down system isn’t just about convenience; it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring a safe trip every time.
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Choosing E-Track Tie Downs for Safe ATV Hauling
The beauty of an E-track system is its flexibility. With anchor points every couple of inches along your trailer floor or walls, you can place a tie-down exactly where it needs to be. This adaptability is crucial for securing something with the awkward shape and weight distribution of an ATV.
The biggest mistake people make is treating an ATV like a static block of wood. Your machine has suspension, and it’s designed to move. When you crank down a ratchet strap over the body, you’re compressing those shocks. As you drive, the ATV bounces, the suspension cycles, and that once-tight strap can suddenly become dangerously loose.
The best tie-down strategies work with the suspension, not against it. This means focusing your efforts on securing the unsprung mass—the tires and wheels. By anchoring the tires directly to the trailer, you allow the ATV’s body to float on its suspension naturally. This keeps the straps tight and protects your shocks from being constantly compressed during transit.
Erickson Wheel Chock Kit for Tire Immobilization
Sometimes the best strap is no strap at all. The Erickson E-Track Wheel Chock Kit is a perfect example of immobilizing the tire to prevent movement. These heavy-duty plastic chocks lock directly into your E-track, creating a fixed cradle that you simply drive your ATV’s tires into.
This system completely eliminates forward and backward rolling. Once the tires are nested in the chocks, the ATV isn’t going anywhere. You still need straps to prevent vertical bouncing and side-to-side shimmy, but you can use them with much less tension. You’re no longer fighting the machine’s forward momentum with strap tension alone.
The main consideration here is placement. You need to install your E-track precisely to match your ATV’s wheelbase. If you only haul one machine, this is a fantastic "set it and forget it" solution. If you frequently haul different ATVs or other equipment, the fixed position of the chocks might be too restrictive.
Rhino USA E-Track Ratchet Straps for Heavy Duty
Secure cargo with this 4-pack of heavy-duty 15-foot ratchet straps. Featuring a 2,200-lb break strength and safety-lock S-hooks, these straps ensure reliable transport for motorcycles, appliances, and more.
Every trailer needs a set of classic, heavy-duty ratchet straps. Rhino USA makes some of the toughest ones out there, with high load ratings and durable hardware that won’t fail when you need them most. These are the workhorses for securing heavy, non-suspended loads or for when you need to anchor the frame of your ATV.
However, their strength can be a liability if used improperly on an ATV. It’s incredibly easy to overtighten a powerful ratchet strap, bottoming out your suspension and putting undue stress on your shocks and seals. This is the primary cause of straps loosening on the road; the suspension settles or a big bump cycles it, creating slack in the line.
The key is to use them strategically. If you must strap over the frame or cargo racks, only tighten enough to remove the slack. Their best use is for creating an "X" pattern from the frame to the floor, pulling forward and backward simultaneously. This provides excellent security against shifting, but you must remain mindful of that suspension. A quick stop after the first few miles to check tension is non-negotiable.
DC Cargo Mall Cam Buckle Straps for Quick Tying
Ratchet straps are for cinching, but cam buckle straps are for securing. Unlike a ratchet, a cam buckle tightens with hand strength alone, making it nearly impossible to overtighten and compress your suspension. They are fast, simple, and incredibly useful.
Think of cam buckle straps as your secondary system. They are perfect for adding stability once the primary tie-downs are in place. For example, after setting your ATV in wheel chocks, a couple of cam buckle straps over the wheels or axles will prevent any bouncing without putting any stress on the machine. They are also great for securing lighter loads like gas cans or gear bags around the ATV.
It’s crucial to understand their limitation: cam buckles do not have the holding power of a ratchet strap. They should never be the only thing holding your ATV to the trailer. Their job is to manage minor movements and provide a quick, low-tension backup, not to resist the massive forces of a sudden stop or swerve.
Vulcan E-Track Tire Bonnets to Protect Suspension
If you want the gold standard for securing an ATV while protecting its suspension, look no further than tire bonnets. These systems, also known as wheel nets, drape over the top of the tire and connect to the E-track in front of and behind the wheel. This method anchors the tire directly to the trailer deck.
This is the most effective solution to the suspension problem. Because only the tire is secured, the ATV’s frame and body are free to move up and down on the shocks, just as they would on the trail. The machine can absorb bumps in the road without ever affecting the tension of the tie-downs. The straps stay tight, and your suspension isn’t subjected to hundreds of miles of static compression.
Setting up tire bonnets requires E-track to be installed on the trailer floor running parallel to the tires. They can take a moment longer to position correctly than a simple strap, but the payoff in security and equipment longevity is immense. For anyone who hauls their ATV frequently or over long distances, investing in a set of tire bonnets is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Lock-It-Rite System: All-in-One ATV Security
For the hobby farmer who values speed and ultimate security, the Lock-It-Rite system is in a class of its own. This isn’t just a strap; it’s a dedicated, all-in-one chassis-locking device. It combines a heavy-duty wheel chock with a locking arm that secures the ATV frame directly, often using the machine’s own winch to create tension.
The process is incredibly fast: drive onto the trailer and into the chock, attach the locking arm, and tighten. You can be fully secured and ready to drive away in under a minute, with no straps to thread, tighten, or check. The connection is rock-solid, as it locks the ATV’s frame directly to the trailer’s frame.
This level of performance and convenience comes at a premium price. It’s a specialized piece of equipment that’s less versatile than a collection of straps and chocks. However, if you haul the same ATV multiple times a week, the time saved and the absolute peace of mind it provides can easily justify the investment.
US Cargo Control D-Rings for Versatile Tie-Downs
Sometimes the problem isn’t the strap, but the connection. E-track D-Ring fittings are small, inexpensive, and one of the most useful accessories you can own. These little adapters simply click into any E-track slot and provide a sturdy, traditional D-ring or O-ring anchor point.
Their value is in their versatility. They allow you to use any standard hook-ended strap—ratchet straps, bungee cords, or even ropes—with your E-track system. Have an old set of reliable tie-downs from before you installed E-track? Now you can use them. Need to secure an awkwardly shaped piece of gear where a flat E-track strap won’t work? A D-ring fitting gives you the angle you need.
Think of them as the universal adapter for your trailer. They bridge the gap between your dedicated E-track straps and every other tie-down method. Sprinkling a half-dozen of these into your toolbox ensures you’ll always have a solution for securing not just your ATV, but anything else you need to haul.
Placement Tips to Prevent Common Hauling Issues
No matter which tie-down system you choose, proper placement is what makes it work. The most fundamental rule is to pull the ATV in opposing directions. Strapping in an "X" pattern—from the front-right of the machine to the back-left of the trailer, and vice-versa—is the best way to prevent the load from shifting forward, backward, or side-to-side.
The angle of your straps is just as important. For maximum holding power, aim for a 45-degree angle from the anchor point on the ATV down to the E-track on the trailer floor. If the strap is too vertical, it won’t prevent sideways movement. If it’s too horizontal, it won’t effectively stop the machine from bouncing up.
Finally, always perform a safety check. After you’ve driven for five or ten minutes, pull over in a safe place and re-check the tension on every single strap. Loads settle, suspensions compress, and knots can slip. That strap that felt guitar-string tight in the driveway might have an inch of slack after the first big bump. This two-minute habit is the single most effective way to prevent a hauling disaster.
Ultimately, the best tie-down system is one that matches how you work. It’s not about finding the single strongest strap, but about using the right tool for the job. By focusing on immobilizing the tires and allowing the suspension to do its work, you ensure your ATV arrives at the trailhead safely, without loose straps, damaged shocks, or any second-guessing on the road.
