Chassis support

[arush]

Once again I come to this forum for wisdom.
What are you guys using to support your digger chassis while hauling to the strip.
I have seen those inflatable rubber supports but they are rather pricey.
Not trying to be cheap, just looking for some alternative methods. Pictures would be great.
I appreciate all responses.

[aafa760]

4x4 at motor plate

[GlennLever]

I have the round inflatable support and like it very much.

Take a look at this link

    FrontEngineDragsters.Org Forum »
    Drag Racing Discussions »
    Front Engine Dragsters (Moderator: Clint Dobbs) »
    strapping FED down in trailer

http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/index.php/topic,2260.0.html

Glenn


Glenn

[arush]

Appreciate the feed back.

[dusterdave173]

I have seen folks use boat bumpers , the expensive bags etc but we have always just used a block of wood with one of my wifes yoga mats stapled to it--I keep a cheapo hand crank import car jack in the trailer--ease the chassis up a little insert block let it down--we put it right in front of engine on a 200 in car--stays put and so far things look great---always fun to try and back car out when you forget the block LOL  I think as long as you have something you will be OK
I talked to Doug Herbert one time--they went cross country with no support ( crew forgot) then did not pull body panels before first run--he almost killed himself  first attempt at a run as all of the forward uprights were broken from cross country trip--my wood block is about 3/8ths-1/4 in in higher than just sliding under chassis

[arush]

Thanks Dave.

[glofria]

My thought would be an inner-tube. Any opinions on that?

[GlennLever]

I am not sure you would get enough support that way.

[rooman]

My thought would be an inner-tube. Any opinions on that?

Gino,
        the problem with an inner tube is that it does not have enough structural rigidity and will simply bulge somewhere else under load. That is why the commercial support bags are molded out of very thick rubber and shaped the way they are.
 
 With Mark Vaught's car we solved two problems at once. He has a trailer with a fairly severe dovetail and his 225" car will not  make it over the break over angle at ride height. I made a loading dolly pretty much like the ones that I built for some of the big show T/F teams that needed to get a 300" car onto a 180" (or so) lift gate. It is a tubular frame with casters mounted on lengths of 1" Acme thread. To load the car you pin the dolly to the chassis just ahead of the motor, run the casters down with a ratchet or 1/2" drill (much quicker and less work) and roll the car into the trailer. Once the car is in place run the screws back up leaving a little preload on the frame, tie the car down and you are good to go. I am not sure that I have any photos but will try to find some and post them. This deal also has the advantage of being able to turn the car around in its own length (if you are willing to fight the spool).

Roo

[AF150]

This is a serious problem. More dragsters are damaged riding in the trailer than racing.
We used the same technique as Dusterdave with the addition of tie-down rings in the trailer floor near the front of the engine. Used ratchet tie-downs from the front engine mounts to the floor on each side. Also air up the slicks to 10-12lbs. This keeps the chassis from flexing even on rough roads. This worked on a 200" FED w/ a blown Chrysler for over 7 years.  Easy chassis dolly can be made from a Harbor Freight trailer dolly (about $65). Sure helps loading & unloading.

Mike

[Paul New]

My thought would be an inner-tube. Any opinions on that?

Gino,
        the problem with an inner tube is that it does not have enough structural rigidity and will simply bulge somewhere else under load. That is why the commercial support bags are molded out of very thick rubber and shaped the way they are.
 
 With Mark Vaught's car we solved two problems at once. He has a trailer with a fairly severe dovetail and his 225" car will not  make it over the break over angle at ride height. I made a loading dolly pretty much like the ones that I built for some of the big show T/F teams that needed to get a 300" car onto a 180" (or so) lift gate. It is a tubular frame with casters mounted on lengths of 1" Acme thread. To load the car you pin the dolly to the chassis just ahead of the motor, run the casters down with a ratchet or 1/2" drill (much quicker and less work) and roll the car into the trailer. Once the car is in place run the screws back up leaving a little preload on the frame, tie the car down and you are good to go. I am not sure that I have any photos but will try to find some and post them. This deal also has the advantage of being able to turn the car around in its own length (if you are willing to fight the spool).

Roo

Roo I have been trying to come up with a loading assist device, I really like the sounds of this!

[George]

We used a large boat bumper for years.