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Not usually recommended to put the car on a trailer backwards. You really want to have your weight distributed toward the front of the trailer.
As far as criss-crossing the tie-downs, we usually do that in the back only, but I know many, many people don't do it at all and have no problems. As long as you check your straps within a few miles of starting to re-tighten them, and check them every once in a while along the way, you should be okay.

In BDC's case, since the wheels of the trailer are so far back, he's okay.

With criss-cross straping, in the rare event that one strap would break the consequences could be very much worse than with normal strapping. The professionals I've spoken to strongly advise against it just for that very reason, i.e. the failure of a strap or lug on one side.

Excellent point. And as simple as that sounds, I have never thought about it that way.

West, we had to get the car on backwards because it wouldn't clear the exhaust going on the gooseneck forward.

Everything said is good- I have hauled several cars many hundreds of miles, and 4 straps is plenty. The trick is to pull in the opposite directions. The two straps on the front of the car should be trying to pull the car forward, and the ones on the back should be trying to pull the car backwards. I usually strap everything, get the slack out, and then tighten one end, tighten the other end, and then re-check the first. Just imagine you're using the straps to pull the car in half, and it should be secure enough. I recommend tying to the frame so the car bounces less on bumpy roads, but be sure the straps or chains are horizontal and not nearly vertical. If they're vertical, the suspension action of the car will allow it to move and maybe make you wreck.

Second, ensure you have enough tongue weight. Depending on the tow vehicle, 50-60% of the weight should be on the tongue. If you have less weight on the tongue than the trailer, it will sway at high speeds which is very dangerous.

I also check trailer tire pressure, make sure the hubs aren't hot, and check straps with every fuel stop. Take 2 minutes, saves thousands of dollars.

Good luck- and have fun!

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