I don't have any input on them specifically but I would personally bet you'll shear the treads off your screws before either of those tie downs fail. I would bolt those suckers down myself. That's what I did on my atv hauler, grade 8 bolts through the frame rail.

 

If they only screw every 6th or something like that, I may add more where the clips will be.

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I don't think you will rip the anchor out of the E-Track. If it fails, the fail point will be where the track attaches to the frame. I bet the trailer manufacturer will use Tek screws. Those should work fine if they go every frame member. If you want extra security you could put a bolt with a nut in instead of the tek screws.

Your best bet is to tie a car down like this picture shows. It won't put as big of a twisting load on the track.

 

Agreed that would be nice, but not possible for me. Straps will go to the axles.

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E-track is the standard for road transport and is more versatile and less expensive than L-Track. 6k load is much more than you are likely likely to ever stress them unless you have a multi-G impact (like hitting a tree). Keep in mind that the loads the E-track should need to handle are small fractions of the weight of whatever you are hauling (just momentum loads - not lifting the item) and you will be attaching at multiple points to spread the load. Some people have the E-track sections welded to the trailer structure but that seems like overkill.

 

I used to load trailers at UPS. Never saw a broken one there.

 

Just having a look at the e-track gear. I'm surprised how cheap it is. Its a really flexible system, and it looks like you could outfit a trailer, complete with a bunch of straps, for less than a couple hundred. It would still be a bargin at twice the price.

 

I don't see you having any problems if the track is secured properly. E-track is probably the most versatile and easy to work with system out there for the money. We secure some pretty heavy cargo using e-track where I work and it has yet to fail, even with others improperly placing the cargo/straps.

 

What you want to use is not E track but logistics "L Track" or aircraft track which is completely different.

Ratchet Straps, Tie Down Straps, E Track Tie Downs, Cargo Straps - U.S. Cargo Control is one source and there are different attachment points available. These are used to secure heavy equipment by the airlines and the military. Nothing better.

 

Disagree 100%.

 

I'm getting a trailer made too. Although it just for quads and sleds. Getting my e track installed from factory thye weld it straight to the frame every 16 inches. So I'm confident it's on there. It's a cargomate

 

^^^ what you are referring to is called seat track,never heard of L track, every one of of 42 plane airline has this installed as they are all cargo haulers.and every single commercial plane has this seat track holding the passenger seats in to the floor, some operators also call it brown line

 

I've learned a lot since I started this thread.

L-track / seat track / airline track / brown line/ whatever, at least per the trailer manufacturers, is not for securing heavy loads like cars. They recommend it only for smaller things like ATVs or motorcycles.

Be careful with your Bugattis and Rols Royces, if you ever end up in a front-end collision, they might not be piled up at the front of your trailer.

 

Thank you for your concern, but I am more than confident in my equipment. Yes it is used for airline seating as well, but there are quite a few names as you mentioned that is used when referring to this track, L track just so happens to be what is the easiest way to search/lookup products regarding this AIRLINE TRACK. Macs custom tie downs even has Versa Track, which is essentially their brand of airline track. I really have no intention of beginning a debate, just sharing my experience and what I use. I do not know what "trailer manufacturer" you spoke with, however, just looking at the specs for both, it is pretty easy to see which one is stronger. Just look at the WLL and Breaking Points of both pieces of equipment and the related anchors. Plus, there is probably a reason that the AIRLINE track is standard in moving all air freight. Probably because it is both stronger, and lighter. Did a quick search for L track load limits, and I found this post:

"L-Track (Logistic Track, also sometimes known as "airline track") is the standard securement for air cargo.

L-track single-stud fittings have a working load limit of 1333 pounds (breaking strength of 4000 pounds), and double-stud fittings have a working load limit of 2833 pounds (breaking strength of 8500 pounds).

E-Track fittings have a working load limit of 1333 pounds (breaking strength of 4000 pounds), same as single-stud L-Track.

The reason L-Track is used in air cargo is because it's both lighter and stronger than E-Track. A double-stud L-Track with an 8500 pound breaking strength (vertical capacity testing) also has a breaking strength of 5000 pounds at horizontal and 45° capacity testing, 3.75 times the working load limit, as per the ISO 9788 standards. E-Track has horizontal and 45° breaking strength of just a little over 2 times the load limit, or 3000 pounds for the standard 1333 load limit fittings.

I know it sure doesn't look like it, but L-Track is quite strong and can be trusted. You can get ratchet straps with both E-Track and L-Track fittings on the same straps, so one set of straps can be used in either or both configurations."

Obviously these are things that would need to be confirmed, however I am pretty sure this is accurate, and this came from the moderator of Expeditors online, it is a freight transportation forum. This does not make it gospel, but the information is out there.

Good luck with your research and choice. I know what I use is more than adequate, safer, stronger, and easier to use than that E track. Anyhow, as I stated earlier, this is my experience, this is what I use, and I would never go back. Every trailer I get from here on out will have recessed L track.

 

I know what I use is ... safer, stronger ... than that E track. Anyhow, as I stated earlier, this is my experience ...

You state that E and L have the same working load limit and breaking strength, but then insist that L is stronger. Why do you think its stronger? Do you have any data to back up your "safer and stronger" claims? Have you ever seen either one fail? Have you ever seen a frontal collision with a load tied town using either one?

That's part of the reason I asked this question in the beginning, there are very few facts about this stuff. There isn't (that I could find) a formal test comparing the two, most specifically, pulling on them until the track fails. Any "facts" seem to be just hearsay from people's personal opinion, just like yours. I'm sure the numbers are out there somewhere, but I couldn't find them.

If you go to have a new trailer built and tell them you're going to secure a car with L-track, they will strongly advice you against it, and steer you toward E-track instead. As far as who - take your pick, there are dozens of trailer manufacturers around the Goshen, IN area, some big names and some smaller names. I looked into several of them before having my trailers built. Who knows why they recommend this, but I'm sure they have a reason behind it.

 

I never stated that they have the same WLL or breaking point, in fact I was pointing out the fact that the L track anchors had higher WLL and breaking point. Good luck with your decision.

 

Then what does this say?

L-track single-stud fittings have a working load limit of 1333 pounds (breaking strength of 4000 pounds)

E-Track fittings have a working load limit of 1333 pounds (breaking strength of 4000 pounds), same as single-stud L-Track.

 

Sorry, I use the double stud anchors which are more than twice as strong, I should have been clear on that. So if you use single stud anchors it is possible to have the same strength as e track, but by using a double stud anchor the limits are doubled. And that was from the quote I took, however, I have looked up those specs and they seem to be accurate
L-track single-stud fittings have a working load limit of 1333 pounds (breaking strength of 4000 pounds), and double-stud fittings have a working load limit of 2833 pounds (breaking strength of 8500 pounds).

E-Track fittings have a working load limit of 1333 pounds (breaking strength of 4000 pounds), same as single-stud L-Track.

The reason L-Track is used in air cargo is because it's both lighter and stronger than E-Track. A double-stud L-Track with an 8500 pound breaking strength (vertical capacity testing) also has a breaking strength of 5000 pounds at horizontal and 45° capacity testing, 3.75 times the working load limit, as per the ISO 9788 standards. E-Track has horizontal and 45° breaking strength of just a little over 2 times the load limit, or 3000 pounds for the standard 1333 load limit fittings.
Hope that is more clear.