Strap itright.

Quick answer

Restrain the car at all four corners with rated ratchet straps — ideally wheel straps that go over the tyres, so the car's suspension can move without loosening anything. Put the car in park or gear with the handbrake on, tension the straps evenly, and stop to re-check them after the first few kilometres. The winch cable is not a tie-down.

Step by step

1. 01

   Secure the car itself first

   Handbrake on and the car in park (automatic) or in gear (manual). This stops it rolling while you strap it, but it is not restraint on its own.

2. 02

   Use four straps, one per corner

   Each corner of the car gets its own strap. Front straps pull forward and out; rear straps pull back and out. This stops the car moving forward, backward and sideways.

3. 03

   Prefer wheel straps

   Straps that go over the tyre (wheel nets or over-the-wheel straps) hold the car by its wheels, so the suspension can compress and rebound without slackening the straps. They're the best choice for lowered cars.

4. 04

   If you strap the body, choose solid points

   Use proper tie-down or recovery points, or solid chassis rails. Never strap to steering arms, tie rods, brake lines, exhaust or bumpers.

5. 05

   Tension evenly

   Ratchet each strap until it's firm, working around the car so it isn't pulled to one side. Don't crank so hard that you compress the suspension to the bump stops.

6. 06

   Tidy loose ends and protect the paint

   Tie off loose strap tails so they can't flap, and use soft sleeves where a strap could touch paint or a wheel face.

7. 07

   Re-check after a few kilometres

   Straps settle. Pull over somewhere safe after the first few kilometres and re-tension, then check again at every stop.

The winch is not a tie-down

The CT177's 3,000 kg hand winch is for pulling the car on, not for holding it in place. Once the car is loaded and strapped at all four corners, release tension on the winch.

For the full detail, see the national Load Restraint Guide published by the National Transport Commission.

Common questions