I have used a ratchet strap down the center and it kept enough pressure on the tire to get it started. Pain to get the strap loose if you over fill it though!
Discussion
That’s what I do as well.
That was my backup plan, but the new tire sidewalls are kind of "bowed" in toward the center, so I can't get them to expand enough to get the bead started enough. I also don't have an air compressor (yet) which probably would help me out quite a bit.
The bead is also really tight on the rim which is great but makes it a little hard to handle.