From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I see a lot of growers simply placing the pumpkin on a pallet, and not secureing their load. You will get a ticket if pulled over, if the officer is not happy to see your giant pumpkin.
The inertia of a 1000 lb pumpkin going 65 MPH is head spinnning. Atleast wedge some bales of straw in there.

Even with straw bales and straps they do not slow dont much. There are several photos on BP to show that

9/27/2013 3:49:16 PM

South Hero, VT

I value my pumpkin and my rental truck too much to NOT secure my pumpkin. I've seen what a large pumpkin slamming into a truck cab can do, and it's NOT pretty. Or cheap to repair.

Slow and easy and tied down gets to the weigh off and any awards--or rewards.

9/27/2013 8:04:39 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

And no matter how well your pumpkin is strapped down, parking lot speed bumps are the death of pumpkins too.

Had a buddy a few years ago, temporarily "forget" about his 600 lb pumpkin strapped down on a palet in his pickup truck...split his pumpkin in two...on his way to weighoff.

That hurts!!

9/27/2013 8:20:17 PM

Lloydminster/AB

It would be nice if someone could build a nice pumpkin tie down strap. I'm thinking something with wide adjustable straps that works something like the ones they put on the wheels of race cars on trailers. Except much bigger with a 4 point tie.

9/28/2013 1:39:41 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I have one exactly as you describe..it is built from the same straps you use for lifting..It also doubles as a lifting tarp

9/28/2013 7:58:02 AM

Lexington, Ky

More wisdom...don't go under trailered. I witnessed a 900+ in a tiny trailer that MIGHT have been rated for 400 pounds. Any of course, the pumpkin wasn't strapped....

9/28/2013 12:07:57 PM

Lloydminster/AB

So I'll remove the hooks and thread some more straps through the loops, I think I understand how to make one.... Thanks Shannon!

9/28/2013 12:22:43 PM

Western PA

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=121532

This is the way I have always strapped my pumpkins in, I use pipe insulation under the straps as not to damage the pretty fruit, it prevents the straps from digging in or scraping the fruit. I cross the straps from corner to corner to make a x. I even strap the pallet in place, I have wood blocks in front of the pallet to prevent the pallet from sliding forward during heavy breaking.

9/28/2013 12:59:48 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

If you cross to strap corner to corner in the bed.over ag.leave slack then rap one around middle holden down xstraps.then tighten your corners.would be same principal don said bout tire straps

9/28/2013 1:00:31 PM

Alberta

Funny thing...I drove 6 hrs with a pumpkin in my cargo trailer...no straps..lol Eddy was there...First thing he said...Its not strapped down???

I guess its all how you drive to the weighoff..lol

9/30/2013 2:03:17 AM

Alberta

If you gotz a wobbly pumpkin ..Don Young showed me the best method..cicle rope or strap covering 85-95 percent of the top portion of the pumpkin...Tie your straps to the circle..5 or more is best..makes it ride like a rock!

9/30/2013 2:07:24 AM