winch strap bolt?

[captquest]

OK, I want to know how common of a problem this is or is it just me?
After reconditioning my trailer I wanted to replace my cable with a strap (on the winch, seems like the trendy thing to do). The bolt that came with my new strap did not hold up to the task, it buckled when I cranked the boat on. So I thought a galvanized one I had would be better...wrong. Then I went to a local bolt store (yes, they specialize in bolts) Tyson Bolt, and got an "8 grade" bolt. It bent slightly. What a pain in the arse. So ultimately I added a metal sleeve on the inside of the winch which the bolt went through for more support, so far so good. Whats going on? Any one else have this issue?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: winch strap bolt?

The most stress on that bolt is directly in the center as witnessed by the bend in the bolt. Galvanizing adds no strength to the bolt -- it merely protects it from corrosion. A larger diameter grade 8 bolt is the answer. If you have to drill the hole larger in each spool flange that won't hurt anything.

 

[captquest]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Larger grade 8! ...great idea, Silvertip (as in Winchester? my choice also btw, along with Hydroshocks). My sleeve works too, but shouldn't the strap people be on to this by now?

 

[mthieme]

Re: winch strap bolt?

I've had this happen and did exactly what Silvertip suggests.
It worked out fine.

 

[DJ]

Re: winch strap bolt?

If your winch is pulling against the bolt, your strap is far to short.

I never let the strap get within three feet of the bolt, that secures the strap.

The bolt is to keep the strap in place, NOT to pull against.

Get a longer strap.

 

[captquest]

Re: winch strap bolt?

My strap is 20 ft. I typicaly only use about three or four feet of it to pull my boat up. Not sure I follow you,

 

[DJ]

Re: winch strap bolt?

If you have an 18' boat and a 20' strap, something is amiss here.

Doesn't your boat come up on the trailer at least a foot or two? If not-why not? Cranking a boat on the trailer, with no trailer guidance, is pointless.

The boat needs to be at least one third on the trailer before you think about engaging the winch.

I think you need to rethink your entire recovery procedure.

Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[captquest]

Re: winch strap bolt?

If you have an 18' boat and a 20' strap, something is amiss here.

Doesn't your boat come up on the trailer at least a foot or two? If not-why not? Cranking a boat on the trailer, with no trailer guidance, is pointless.

The boat needs to be at least one third on the trailer before you think about engaging the winch.

I think you need to rethink your entire recovery procedure.

Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words.

DJ,thanks for your reply. I have been trailering boats for several years, but never used a strap. My strap is 20 ft. long and yes I typically pull my boat up to a couple of feet to the winch. I like to crank it down pretty hard to assure the bow is snug against the stop. Maybe my winch is to small for my rig? Any way the issue is solved with a sturdier bolt.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: winch strap bolt?

I've also had the bolts give way and bend, I, like mentioned above, just replace the bolt with a larger grade 8 bolt.

I still haven't figured out why they supply only a 1/4" bolt with most straps, even my 3" wide straps only came with a 5/16" bolt.

I've also had a few winch straps fail lately, not while winching the boat but just from fatigue or stress after sitting with the winch tightened up holding the boat to the bow stops.

All were heavier straps as well, on fairly heavy duty two speed winches. All were 3" wide straps bought at the local marina. They were the only 3" straps I could find in 25' lengths. I ended up returning those and having some custom made, which are a bit thicker and much stronger. Two of the bought straps broke when just winding them on, and tightening them up on the already loaded boat.

I switched over to straps on my trailers in hopes of them lasting longer than cables as well as the fact that I was hoping they'd be easier to wind on smoothly. They also seem to provide a better gear ratio as they fill the spool quicker than does a cable which provides a better multiplier effect.

 

[Ruffin]

Re: winch strap bolt?

OK, I want to know how common of a problem this is or is it just me?
After reconditioning my trailer I wanted to replace my cable with a strap (on the winch, seems like the trendy thing to do). The bolt that came with my new strap did not hold up to the task, it buckled when I cranked the boat on. So I thought a galvanized one I had would be better...wrong. Then I went to a local bolt store (yes, they specialize in bolts) Tyson Bolt, and got an "8 grade" bolt. It bent slightly. What a pain in the arse. So ultimately I added a metal sleeve on the inside of the winch which the bolt went through for more support, so far so good. Whats going on? Any one else have this issue?

It's hard to believe I just paid what I did for a 2500 lb wench to use on a 2200 lb, 20' Angler Boat and now I have to drive 20 miles back to the hardware store to buy a #8 bolt and a sleeve for it to function. I feel ripped off? According to the stats a 2500 lb wench should handle a 5000 lb boat? With the bolt that cam with it ......

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Is it a bunk or roller trailer? If it's a bunk, maybe adding some silicone spray to the bunks will help, so there's not as much strain on the winch. If it's a roller, maybe some of the rollers are sticking and adding strain. Just a thought.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Seems like your strap was not spooled tight when you installed it if you are able to bend a bolt that is 20 feet back on the strap when letting out only a couple feet.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Make sure the Bolt is installed right next to the hub of the winch and not out on the spool!
It should be taking the strain in shear against the side plate and should not bend.
It there is space between the strap and the winch hub, the bolt will bend under the strain.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Make sure the Bolt is installed right next to the hub of the winch and not out on the spool!
It should be taking the strain in shear against the side plate and should not bend.
It there is space between the strap and the winch hub, the bolt will bend under the strain.

View attachment 142530

4 year old post

 

[Ruffin]

Re: winch strap bolt?

4 year old post

Must be a 4 year old problem then .... seems like someone at the wench factory would have solved it by now? *

 

[Ruffin]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Make sure the Bolt is installed right next to the hub of the winch and not out on the spool!
It should be taking the strain in shear against the side plate and should not bend.
It there is space between the strap and the winch hub, the bolt will bend under the strain.

View attachment 142530

I do not have the adjustable one pictured on mine ... only the one that sets a little higher. I'll look into making one ... thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Please do not reply to or hijack old, dead threads, Ruffin. Please respect our rules.

 

[Ruffin]

Re: winch strap bolt?

:facepalm: Wow! I was thinking about ordering parts via iboats in the future. Is this the way you guys treat new customers? This forum does belong to iboats, correct? I have owned and hosted the most successful sport fishing website on the Mid-Atlantic coast for the past 12 years and I would never treat a new member, with a legitimate question like that? I did a Google search and this thread is what came up as the closes match.

Here's what mine looks like UncleWillie. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: winch strap bolt?

:facepalm: Wow! I was thinking about ordering parts via iboats in the future. Is this the way you guys treat new customers? This forum does belong to iboats, correct? I have owned and hosted the most successful sport fishing website on the Mid-Atlantic coast for the past 12 years and I would never treat a new member, with a legitimate question like that? I did a Google search and this thread is what came up as the closes match.

Here's what mine looks like UncleWillie. Thank you for the reply.

Unlike some forums where a topic just runs on forever, (such as how to select color and retrieval of a jerk bait) iBoats Forums cover a wide variety of boating, engine, electrical and other very specific problems. Read through these forums -- especially engine and electrical and you should realize that having someone jump onto (hijack) a thread and introduce their own set of problems makes dealing with the OPs specific engine problem makes it extremely difficult to keep track who is talking about what. Confusion is what is NOT needed, nor is it helpful to drag up posts that are many years old.

 

[Ruffin]

Re: winch strap bolt?

Unlike some forums where a topic just runs on forever, (such as how to select color and retrieval of a jerk bait) iBoats Forums cover a wide variety of boating, engine, electrical and other very specific problems. Read through these forums -- especially engine and electrical and you should realize that having someone jump onto (hijack) a thread and introduce their own set of problems makes dealing with the OPs specific engine problem makes it extremely difficult to keep track who is talking about what. Confusion is what is NOT needed, nor is it helpful to drag up posts that are many years old.

My comment was very specific; about my winch strap bolt breaking. The topic being discussed here is about "winch strap bolts breaking"? UncleWillie's picture / reply was very helpful and pointed me in the right direction. Hope I did'nt confuse anyone. I apologize if I did.

Thanks guys!