Trailer/boat straps

[slag]

I recently upgraded to a newer larger boat and sold my straps with the old boat. I have a 20 foot boat on a tandem axle trailer. I need new straps that strap the boat to the trailer. The old ones I used seem too light for a boat this size. What do you guys use for trailer straps? I'm looking for width and strength ratings if you have them. These are to hold the stern to the trailer. I also need to add a chain to attach the bow eye to the trailer. What strength chain should I be using and where should I attach it? Seems foolish to attach it to the angled piece that the bow stop and winch are mounted to since that piece is only hooked the trailer with a couple U bolts.

 

[oldjeep]

Get some boat buckles. You'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

 

[slag]

Saw those. Too expensive. There has to be a cheaper alternative.

 

[oldjeep]

Expensive? If $57 is expensive then sell the boat now
http://www.etrailer.com/Cargo-Tie-Downs/BoatBuckle/IMF08893.html

For around $20 you can get these - had this style on my last trailer and hated them
http://www.etrailer.com/Cargo-Tie-Downs/BoatBuckle/IMF13128.html

Cheaper than that and your option is really Walmart ratchet straps.

 

[phillyg]

This, http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--kwik-lok-stainless-steel-gunwal-tiedown-20--8725723, or something similar. You could add eye bolts to the trailer frame for the hooks.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Lets try to remember that IBOATS sells boat stuff.
http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Transom-...3438722--session_id.787990058--view_id.238459

 

[greenbush future]

The boat buckles are the only way to go IMO, cant believe I never had them before, I will never have another trailer boat that wont have these babies.

 

[oldjeep]

Lets try to remember that IBOATS sells boat stuff.
http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Transom-...3438722--**********.787990058--view_id.238459

Well, then they should do something about that huge etrailer ad that keeps running at the top of the page

 

[smokeonthewater]

no adds on MY screen... gotta love firefox!

 

[slag]

Expensive? If $57 is expensive then sell the boat now
http://www.etrailer.com/Cargo-Tie-Downs/BoatBuckle/IMF08893.html

For around $20 you can get these - had this style on my last trailer and hated them
http://www.etrailer.com/Cargo-Tie-Downs/BoatBuckle/IMF13128.html

Cheaper than that and your option is really Walmart ratchet straps.

Yeah, $55 for buckles that just hold down the back of the boat is a lot of money for something that only has one purpose and is overly complicated. A set of simple straps with 3-5k holding power should be no more than 20 bucks or so. Also, I just put a fair amount of money into the boat for the raw water pump rebuild, power steering hose, power steering pump, new belts, new spark plugs and wires, new impeller kit, etc etc etc. Not an issue for me, but is for the admiral.

 

[Starcraft5834]

if we are talking about transom straps, Walmart has lots... I too have a 20ft boat... I use (3) ratchet straps,, one on each stern ring down to trailer frame. the other one from tow ring under the A1 drive to the other ring. ratchet it tight,, why? to help ease strain on hydrolic seals when trailering and bouncing .. the straps I bought are 300lb ers.. they only help to keep boat from bouncing anyway,, they work fine and never came loose.. as for chain.. I got ( I think it's a class 2) chain,, 5K load for safety chaim from Amazon.. was like $20,, works pefectly..

 

[slag]

Expensive? If $57 is expensive then sell the boat now
http://www.etrailer.com/Cargo-Tie-Downs/BoatBuckle/IMF08893.html

For around $20 you can get these - had this style on my last trailer and hated them
http://www.etrailer.com/Cargo-Tie-Downs/BoatBuckle/IMF13128.html

Cheaper than that and your option is really Walmart ratchet straps.

I'm not sure that 1200 lbs per strap is enough. What's the formula? 1/2 of the boat's weight or what for strap strength? How do I know when its enough or too little short of an accident? I had the simple $21 ones you listed and they worked great and were easy to use. There's really no need to get more complicated than that.

 

[Starcraft5834]

what are u using the straps for? if simple tie down on transom,, you dont need super heavy ones.. if your talking about the boat winch strap,, that ratio is 1/2.. 5000lb boat needs min of 2500lb winch,, 100% of the boat weight is on the trailer...the transom straps are for bounce... Im not aware of a formula for tie downs... 1200lb straps is overkill... unless your driving over "speed bumps" at high speed....straps as suggested by all will work fine

 

[oldjeep]

I'm not sure that 1200 lbs per strap is enough. What's the formula? 1/2 of the boat's weight or what for strap strength? How do I know when its enough or too little short of an accident? I had the simple $21 ones you listed and they worked great and were easy to use. There's really no need to get more complicated than that.

Well, then just go to Walmart and buy the cheapest thing they have in the load rating you think you need. You can probably get them for under $20, and they will work just fine. For me the extra $$$ is worth it having them mounted to the trailer where I need them and not screwing around taking them in and out of the truck.

 

[slag]

Thanks. What about the mount point for the chain?

 

[Starcraft5834]

that's under the winch generally,, on the post.., bolt and big washer to pinch it on there good... you could use a coated cable too......... leave enough chain/cable slack to give you room for hook up and off,, every time you load up,, you will be in a slightly different spot anyway,, by a few inches,,,, leave at least 6-8 inches of slack,,

 

[oldjeep]

Thanks. What about the mount point for the chain?

Somewhere other than where your winch is mounted to is good, preferably forward of the bow hook so that it can do its job. On my trailer there is just a welded ring on top of the tongue where the chain can be attached, last trailer just had a bolt through one side of the tongue to hold it.

 

[oldjeep]

that's under the winch generally,, on the post.., bolt and big washer to pinch it on there good... you could use a coated cable too......... leave enough chain/cable slack to give you room for hook up and off,, every time you load up,, you will be in a slightly different spot anyway,, by a few inches,,,, leave at least 6-8 inches of slack,,

Not sure if I agree with that - my chains have always had very little slack, certainly don't want 6-8" banging around on the trailer or boat. I don't hook mine up until the boat is completely winched on and detach before backing in since they tend to jam up in the bow loop with the winch hook.