Wheel Protection from Straps

[smr500]

Do any of you use an old rag or some type of protector between the strap and wheel when going through the wheel? I've found chrome wheels usually won't scuff/scratch but some of the painted/powder coated wheels will. I like to strap through the wheel if I can.

[cosgo]

Do you have wheelstrap socks? (the black cordura ones). I haven't had any problems with them, never rubbed the paint off.

[ccoop769]

never used anything when I run it thru the rim. MB, BMW, CHROME, ALUMINUM, STEEL, BILLIT ALUMINUM, no damage, no complaints from customers...

[smr500]

No, I haven't tried the cordura socks. I thought about getting some but wasn't sure of the texture. The description makes them sound like they're more for protecting the straps from cuts, etc.

[haulin rv]

The sleeves I had were pretty rough textured. Much more than the straps themselves, but they do protect the straps.

[Dorsey]

I just always run them on the back of the tire. I rubbed some paint off of a rim once and that put a stop to that for me. Now if I run the strap through a rim its on a need to basis and not on a rim that can be damaged.

[oregon]

never used anything when I run it thru the rim. MB, BMW, CHROME, ALUMINUM, STEEL, BILLIT ALUMINUM, no damage, no complaints from customers...

X2, I have never had an issue either. And if I have a long loose strap left over I will open the door and throw the loose end in the car and shut the door. Providing the strap is dry and clean. Unless it is a junker, repo, lease return, ect, then its all good.

[smr500]

I think I will keep an eye on it and maybe stop a bit more for load checks to see if they are hurting the wheels. I did cut up some old shirts to put between if I think there may be a problem. I do run them around the tire when it doesn't have an open wheel, but have found sometimes my 8' straps aren't long enough to reach my ratchets (no rub rail, have tie down points) when going around a truck tire etc. I hate using the chains and avoid it if I can.

[SHO-TYME]

I don't put straps through the wheels, I only had to do it once on a Ford GT and I put microfibre towels over the straps to protect them. I see people do it on high end cars, I'm sorry, I'm not buying anyone a wheel. I deliverd to one dealership and they had someone deliver a new Chevy 4X4 with custom wheels on it and they put straps through the wheels and damaged ALL 4 wheels.

[cosgo]

I deliverd to one dealership and they had someone deliver a new Chevy 4X4 with custom wheels on it and they put straps through the wheels and damaged ALL 4 wheels.

They were using the wrong straps, or were complete idiots!

[LBZ]

I would rather see a car chained in the appropriate spots than straps through the wheels. I would imagine 99.9% of the cars we have all owned were delivered from the factory chained to a trailer. Anyone have a warranty claim because of that?

All that being said, usually use over the wheel straps. Spent two days on that old Miller making sure that 4 out of 6 spaces could use them. As well, Auto Hauler Supply now has a lasso strap that wraps around the wheel as usual, but the end has a hook for a chain to grab it. So there really is no reason to risk any damage on a rim.

[SHO-TYME]

They were using the wrong straps, or were complete idiots!

Probably both.

But then again, I transported a Nissan GTR to a dealer and he told me the last one they had moved, the guy put chains on the suspension and ripped the ABS wires off the back of the hubs.