UNTIED ROAD ten car,

My best guess is they are probably just breaking a couple inches over the 14 foot mark. Of course it's according to the particular truck cause they do have some new Pete's and then they have the lower day cabs...not sure what they are running out west. If you know where you're going, you can run that way out there. Not saying it complies with the state regs but I'm saying if you know where you are going, you won't make a convertible Transit van.

In New Mexico, used to see guys putting a Ford Expedition PULLED out on # 1 position over the hood on a pretty much standard 379 Pete. That had to be someone who knew every clearance along his way within half an inch or at least a couple coats of paint.

 

I've seen Allied's old Volvo's with 5 across the top. The one over the roof is just 14" .... and that's with straps too, not chains. The Transit's are made in Turkey with Euro specs so no chains (there's no reinforced holes underneath anyway), and Ford expects carriers to soft tie them.

But you've seen a ten car load of Transit Connects vans ???

I can't see how it could possibly be done. You've gotta get us a picture of this !!

SL

 

Pheewph - Had me goin' there for a sec. But even 6 of 'em. Obviously 5 across the top and one in the belly. That can be pretty tight depending on the trailer. A Cottrell quick loader can barely do it.

I put a Transit on the overhead ONCE, strapped it, put the stick on it (every bit of 14' and a groan) and then went thru an old E-ZPass booth that was barely 15' up AND bumpy. The attendant in the cash box next door just covered her eyes as I CRAWLED thru at less then creep speed.

SL

 

Our Sterlings with the Cottrell rack will take just about anything stuck out all the way in the pockets and the stick won't come close. But that's riggin' that's just a teeny bit lower then an off the shelf 379. I've seen some Allied company and Allied brokers (Western Stars and F'Liners mostly) out west in Canada and the US, on the Plains, running EASILY 16' .... and why not. If there's a bridge less then 20', you'll know about it.

SL

 

Stan,
Those Transits are tall but if you look at em, you could lose several good inches when you back it out over the hood and drop it down. The tallest point is back there on the rear which would be a lower point on the table or deck. You have to look at it loaded with the angle from the side. There may be a vent also but most are mounted rearward. Also t
he rear tires will def find drop pockets to cancel almost all ground clearance. Over east out of Baltimore they regularly do 6 without using the # 1 position so 7 is doable if the route allows.

Now...go call Cottrell and help out this budding economy.

 

I am glad this was posted up. Just assumed that since it was a Ford that it could be chained. Haven't moved any yet & try to avoid taller units when possible.

 

The only other Ford product the has to be strapped, that I know of anyway, is the Mustang Boss, because the custom exhaust covers the rear tie down holes. For that matter, depending on how you're set up, all Mustangs are easier to strap the way the tie downs are set up.

SL