At least he is smart enough to use clamps to stabilize the spring. I've seen that done without. I like ratchet straps myself.
I think Charlotte got a bit of groubd cover 2 years ago. I saw the flurries this year passing through Denton headed towards Uwharrie. More fall/winter rains the past few years than I recall.
When checking out colleges, long ago, I hit about a 6" frost heeve in the road that was as bad as most pot holes. I was in the middle of a lonely stretch through the Adirondack mountains and still recall the instanteous thought of dread after the 'bang' registered.