Drag Car Parachute Mount Kits & Components

How To Choose A Parachute Mount Kit

Choose a parachute mount kit by answering three questions: how it attaches, how many chutes it carries, and what it's made of. Weld-on kits suit tube-chassis and back-halved cars, while bolt-on mounts fit specific production vehicles without cutting or welding. Single mounts carry one chute, and dual mounts carry two.

Mild steel is common on sportsman builds, while 4130 chromoly offers a higher strength-to-weight ratio and matches chromoly chassis tubing. Check your frame rail spacing as well, since some kits list a maximum rail width.

Before you buy a parachute mount, confirm these points:

• Attachment method, either a weld-on bracket or a bolt-on mount
• Chute count, either one pack or two
• Material, either mild steel or 4130 chromoly
• Fitment, either frame rail width or a specific vehicle application
• Release setup, including the cable, handle, and launcher you plan to run

If you're still choosing the chute itself, browse our full selection of parachutes and accessories.

Weld-On Vs. Bolt-On Parachute Mounts

A weld-on drag car parachute mount is the standard choice for tube-chassis and back-halved cars. A bolt-on mount suits street-driven cars that need a chute without permanent chassis work.

Weld-on kits attach to the frame rails or rear structure and feed the deployment load into the chassis. They require welding, so plan on a qualified fabricator if you don't weld yourself.

Rhodes Race Cars offers the Pro Series Dual Parachute Mounting Kit in 4130 chromoly steel. It includes a pull pin and weld-on stub, fits up to 36 in. frame rails, and is universal fit. Stroud offers a Single Parachute Mount and a Dual Chute Mount Kit, so you can match the mount to your chute count.

Bolt-on mounts are vehicle-specific. The BMR Suspension Bolt-On Parachute Mount fits 2005-14 Ford Mustang GT models. If you're taking a street car to the track, read our guide on how to start drag racing legally before your first high-speed pass.

Single Vs. Dual Parachute Mount Setups

A single mount carries one chute and covers most cars that need a parachute. A dual parachute mount carries two packs for faster cars where the rules call for a second chute. Check your sanctioning body's current rulebook to confirm which drag racing parachute mount setup your car needs at its expected trap speed.

A dual setup places two packs side by side, so you'll need rear structure wide enough for both and a release that deploys each chute. Rhodes Race Cars offers the Pro Series Single Parachute Mounting Kit and the Pro Series Dual Parachute Mounting Kit, both in 4130 chromoly steel. Stroud offers single and dual options too.

Pair your mount with drag racing parachutes sized for your car's weight and speed, then route parachute release cables to the cockpit. The Rhodes Race Cars Single Parachute Cable & Mounting Kit bundles a cable and mount, with a handle in raw finish or black powdercoat.

Mild Steel Vs. 4130 Chromoly Parachute Mounting Brackets

Match the parachute mounting bracket material to your chassis tubing. A mild steel bracket belongs on a mild steel chassis, and a chromoly parachute mount belongs on a 4130 chromoly chassis. Matching materials keeps the weld and the tubing working together under deployment load.

Mild steel suits many sportsman and bracket cars. Rhodes Race Cars offers the Sportsman Parachute Mounting Kit in mild steel, plus Sportsman Parachute Mounting Brackets in both mild steel and 4130 chromoly.

4130 chromoly offers a higher strength-to-weight ratio, which is why it's common on purpose-built race chassis. Chromoly also calls for proper welding technique, so leave the job to a fabricator with chromoly experience if you're unsure.

Your tether needs a strong anchor too. Competition Engineering offers a Parachute Anchor Mount for 1-5/8 in. mild steel diameter tubing, giving the tether a dedicated attachment point on the chassis. Confirm your tube diameter and material before you order so the anchor fits your car.

Parachute Launchers, Handles, And Mounting Hardware

A launcher pushes the chute clear of turbulent air behind the car. A parachute air launcher uses an onboard air system to fire the pack, while a spring launcher uses a spring-loaded pilot chute. RJS Racing Equipment says its air launcher stops the vehicle faster than conventional chutes, won't lift the vehicle, and weighs less than mechanical spring launchers.

Hardware in this category includes these drag chute mount components:

• RJS Single Drag Parachute Air Launcher Kit for 8-Line Parachutes
• RJS Single Air Launch Kit for 4-line chutes
• RJS Air Launch Cylinder for 22 ft. Pro Mod Parachutes
• Simpson Spring Launcher Packs in 8 ft. and 10 ft. sizes
• Stroud Launcher Chute Deployment Bag and Chute Launcher Replacement Spring
• JEGS Carbon Fiber Parachute Handle with an 11 in. length
• JEGS Parachute Tether Mount Main Anchor Assembly

RJS also offers a 3/8 in. air launcher hand valve union and a 3/8 in. to 1/8 in. NPT straight fitting. Once your system is installed, use our drag racing tune-up guide to dial in the rest of the car.