Mooring cover to trailer

[vans]

I want to install some hardware to my trailer to attach straps, there are a few spots where I cant wrap strap around frame, thinking about installing surface mount rope rings, anyone have any thoughts/opinions regarding this?

 

[Maclin]

I think that is pretty common thing to do. Many kits are available that have the fasteners to attach to the trailer and some straps. I did not find any here on iBoats, but know Cabelas and BassPro have some like this...:

 

[Maclin]

I prefer the same-side strap mounting over running straps all the way around from one side to the other with the same strap. Having straps all around the trailer is ok but the cover can slip to one side or the other, like a saddle on a horse that is not cinched well (or the horse pooched out their belly while cinching!). Having the straps go from the cover to the same side of the trailer eliminates that possibility. One time I put a cover on a boat out in front of the house just to keep cats out and stuff for a day until I could get it to the storage yard. It was super windy and from the exact wrong direction and the cover kept rolling off to one side. I used some tarp clips and bungies to go from cover to trailer rails and that kept it from wanting to roll off.

 

[kjsAZ]

I use "rope ratchets" to tie down my cover. They are hooked into the cover where the old straps were located and go around the trailer frame and back up. The usual buckles which come with these straps are a pain to use after some time outdoors and especially deteriorating from the sun. The rope ratchets work like a champ if you spray them once a year with silicone "grease".

Especially the EasyKlip work great to attach something to a tarp/cover if there are no grommets. Even available at HD...

 

[Mi duckdown]

just tow it without the cover on

 

[bruceb58]

just tow it without the cover on

I guess I missed where he said he was towing with it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I dont see where the OP wants to tow with the cover on. I also recommend against that. He was simply looking for options on lashing the cover to the trailer. many of the custom fit covers come with straps with clips and hardware to do just such a thing

 

[Maclin]

Everywhere I have lived with a boat the wind speeds reach towable speeds at some point during the year, really tests the strapping methods.

 

[oldjeep]

I dont see where the OP wants to tow with the cover on. I also recommend against that. He was simply looking for options on lashing the cover to the trailer. many of the custom fit covers come with straps with clips and hardware to do just such a thing

Nothing wrong with towing with a cover on as long as you have a decent cover.

 

[vans]

Thanks for your responses,
I've had many different cuctom covers made through the years, all trailer well and all had snaps with draw string, my new cover has a 1" web with ratchets to secure, he also gave me some loops on sides of cover for straps, he didn't want to install snaps on my new to me Cobalt, which I appreciate,

Most of the straps I can wrap around trailer frame, there are two loops on each side that the fenders, (tandem axle), interfere with mounting straps, thinking about adding some "pad eyes" to secure straps. I have been using my two piece cover, (bow&cockpit), that came with boat for trailering which allows me to leave my bimini top up, for long distance I want to use either my new mooring cover or two piece with bimini layed down.

My goal is to be able to use mooring cover, as the two piece lets rain in and changing covers back and forth is a pain

 

[oldjeep]

Thanks for your responses,
I've had many different cuctom covers made through the years, all trailer well and all had snaps with draw string, my new cover has a 1" web with ratchets to secure, he also gave me some loops on sides of cover for straps, he didn't want to install snaps on my new to me Cobalt, which I appreciate,

Most of the straps I can wrap around trailer frame, there are two loops on each side that the fenders, (tandem axle), interfere with mounting straps, thinking about adding some "pad eyes" to secure straps. I have been using my two piece cover, (bow&cockpit), that came with boat for trailering which allows me to leave my bimini top up, for long distance I want to use either my new mooring cover or two piece with bimini layed down.

My goal is to be able to use mooring cover, as the two piece lets rain in and changing covers back and forth is a pain

Mine has the 1" ratchet style and a connection to each transom loop and the bow loop., but no way (or need) to attach straps to the trailer. The benefit to the ratchet style is that you can get it cranked tight enough under the rub rail that it can't come off.

One tip - if you are going to be towing for a long distance with the cover on - go to Home Depot and get yourself a roll of shrink wrap. Couple wraps around the boat where the cover rides and you won't get any scuffing on the gel coat.

 

[vans]

Mine has the 1" ratchet style and a connection to each transom loop and the bow loop., but no way (or need) to attach straps to the trailer. The benefit to the ratchet style is that you can get it cranked tight enough under the rub rail that it can't come off.

Do you trailer it like that? no tie downs?

 

[oldjeep]

Do you trailer it like that? no tie downs?

500 miles a couple weeks ago, it is what they are designed for.

 

[vans]

No Title

I'm glad to here that you can pull these without straps, I cranked mine down tonight, pretty snug aroung bow and stern, sides are loose enough that I can slip a couple fingers in.
I'll give this setup a trial run next time I take boat out, and hope the cover doesn't land in someone's windshield behind me.

Thanks for the input oldjeep

 

[bruceb58]

I have made/sewed a lot of towable covers and have never seen a ratchet system like that. Very interesting.

Oldjeep, is yours like that too? Care to take a picture of how it hooks to the front?

 

[oldjeep]

I have made/sewed a lot of towable covers and have never seen a ratchet system like that. Very interesting.

Oldjeep, is yours like that too? Care to take a picture of how it hooks to the front?

Mine is exactly like that. The front just has a nylon strap that you can clip to the bow loop. It does nothing when the cover is tight and on, it just makes it easier to get the cover to stay put when you are putting it on in the wind. You can see it here. In the picture I have actually tightened the front strap too much which has dragged the cover down far enough to make it a pain to get the back below the rail. Not a big deal when moored but bad when towed.

Because I have a tower there are quick disconnects in the sides with Velcro on the fabric so that the cover can be installed around the tower.

Cover is the factory Malibu cover for a 2012 - I think that Commercial Sewing is the manufacturer. http://commercialsewing.com/

 

[oldjeep]

I'm glad to here that you can pull these without straps, I cranked mine down tonight, pretty snug aroung bow and stern, sides are loose enough that I can slip a couple fingers in.
I'll give this setup a trial run next time I take boat out, and hope the cover doesn't land in someone's windshield behind me.

Thanks for the input oldjeep

You just have to make sure that the strap is under the rub rail in all places. I tighten mine and then check it, especially at the back where the ratchets are to make sure they are sitting flat below the rub rail and then crank them a little more. If you put it on incorrectly those ratchets would beat the living crap out of your gel coat.

 

[bruceb58]

Does your cover fit tight enough that it sheds water.

 

[oldjeep]

Does your cover fit tight enough that it sheds water.

The front sheds all on its own. One pole in the back when moored or you get some minor pooling.

 

[vans]

Thanks for all your responses!!

Oldjeep- the strap up front is a great idea, going to talk to my guy about adding one, without snaps it's tricky to get cover on.
Once you have your cover ratcheted down do you have a consistent tight fit around boat? My cover seems a bit loose on sides, bow and stern snug, although based on picture I posted I need too readjust ratchets before tightening, as you can see they are touching.

Thanks again