Until you can open the shed door and ride right to the trails, your deer blind, or the work site, you’ll need to haul your ATV or Side x Side sometimes. That puts you squarely in the same boat as almost every other rider, and nothing would end your next adventure quicker than having your machine unload itself onto the road. Whether you ride a Polaris, Yamaha, Can-Am or Arctic Cat, the one thing you must do is fasten it down securely. MAC’S TIE-DOWNS is dedicated to helping you do that, and they’ve got an entire line of hauling, towing, and fastening gizmos to make sure you never hear the sickening scruff of pavement on plastic.
Mac’s Tie-Downs began much like many other companies; with a need for something better. Colin McLemore had seen just about every tie-down and trailer fastening system on the market and his mechanical intuition told him many were undersized for the load they were supposedly fastening down, or they were just plain difficult to use. He set out to fix that and before long he was testing his designs and different materials to make the safest, most durable, and easiest to use load fastening tools on the market. Mac’s Tie-Downs was up and running!
Heavy Haulers
Strap makers typically list the “working” load limit of the strap which is usually one-third of its ultimate breaking strength. Some states even go so far as to require a sewn on working load limit tag on your straps, and not having one is equivalent to having no straps at all as far as the law is concerned. Fines can be pricey, and points can even be taken off your license in an accident. 
Today Mac’s Tie-Downs has a full line of towing, trailering, and hauling solutions. Short of anything requiring an actual chain or cable, they’re got you covered. While ATVs and UTVs are much lighter than any Jeep or truck, it’s vital to have a tie-down rated for more than whatever you’re hauling. A utility ATV typically weighs a little over 600 pounds, a Ranger 800XP tips the scale at 1,300, and a John Deere Gator or Cub Cadet Volunteer can exceed 1,500 pounds. Picture the results of an unguided 1,500-pound missile cart wheeling down the interstate, thanks to a snapped bargain basement strap, and you’ll get the idea: not a pretty picture. Protect your investment with a quality, weight appropriate safety strap! The tie-downs sold at most dealers are fine for dirt bikes, but risky with anything heavier, and it’s not a chance we care to take. Mac’s had a solution to our problem.
Workplace Tension
We prefer to use ratchet straps because of the consistent tension they provide. Because the ratchet is actually a mechanism that can only be released manually, the straps tend to stay tight in travel. It has been our experience that light duty cam straps often lose their bite on the material and loosen over time, or simply slide on a wet or frayed strap.
Mac's Side by Side UTV Tie-Down Pack includes four, heavy duty, 7 feet straps with a working length of 6 feet. The straps are rated for 5000 pound ultimate yield strength, and one look tells you this strap is made for some serious tension. The straps are much thicker and wider than your typical ATV tie-down. At each end of the Mac’s UTV tie down-straps is a heavy duty hook with a spring loaded clip, but one of the best features is the sewn in soft loop and metal hook ring. With a soft loop built in, you simply wrap the loop around a post or frame member on your machine, and clip the hook back into the metal hook ring. There’s no worry about scratching the paint off metal parts with this system. Just the thickness of the strap itself will reassure you that you have a quality product, and the springs, gears and steel are all plated for corrosion resistance. Overall quality is excellent.
The Mac's Side by Side UTV Tie-Downs hold up very well in all weather conditions--we've put them through some rigorous testing and they have yet to stick, jam, or fray. We’ve used them for everything from ATVs to a compact tractor with no problems, and they even come in a handy duffle bag. Mac’s Tie-Downs are our new favorite trailering buddies, and they certainly make us much more confident whenever we hit the road.
Mac's Custom Tie-Downs
Toll-Free Order Line - 1-800-666-1586
P.O. Box 1140
Sagle, ID 83860
MAC’S Side by Side UTV Tie-Down Pack
Part No. 999105
MSRP: $114.95
Trailer Tie-Down Tips
You’ll be towing equipment that has cost you a pretty penny--don't try to save a couple bucks on tie-down straps by buying cheap. We recommend using a minimum of four straps for each UTV being hauled, with each strap rated to the full weight of your SxS. This is important because during sharp turns, one tie-down will be restraining the total force of the machine being hauled as weight is shifted in the opposite direction when turning or stopping. It’s the basic laws of inertia. You’ll also want to have dedicated, reliable tie-down points on your trailer.
1. BALANCE THE WEIGHT
Position the SxS on or within the trailer, centering over the trailer axle. When properly loaded, the trailer should have about the same tongue weight as when empty; not excessively heavy, nor too light on the front end, but definitely not rear end heavy which will cause your truck rear end to bounce or sway.
2. STRAP LEVERAGE – 4 EQUAL POINTS
To guarantee maximum leverage so your machine won’t shift in transit, attach straps to a high point on your ATV or UTV, preferably on the frame, or any structural member. We like to let the vehicle’s suspension work to keep straps tight, and racks, bumpers, and brush guards work excellent. DO NOT pinch any wires or cables! Also, pick a point where the strap won’t slide and avoid any sharp edges that could cut or fray straps. Try for a 45-degree strap angle to the trailer. Prevent vehicle from moving by crossing tie-downs in opposite directions, creating equal tension and balance.
3. RATCHET DOWN
Set your machine in park and ratchet down evenly until all straps are tight and the suspension is compressed firmly, but not completely, which will help maintain strap tension. Check all straps again for even tension and you’re done! Your machine is now properly secured and you’re ready to hit the road! If you’re using new tie-downs, retighten after a few miles—new straps sometimes stretch a bit the first time they are used.
4. MAINTENANCE TIPS
Always inspect straps prior to each use. Webbing that is cut or frayed should be replaced immediately. When your straps need cleaning, only use soap and water (NEVER SOLVENTS), lube ratchets with WD-40, and store out of sunlight.
