Re: Do big boats need to be tied at the transom?
Originally posted by Reel Poor:<br />
Originally posted by SwampNut:<br /><br /> On the other hand, because the trailer is so light, there's only so much effort the strap will take before the trailer just starts to roll over anyway.
Swamp Nut....Thats the way I see it. <br />My boat weighs in at around 11,500 lbs, the trailer is around 2,300 lbs, for a grand total of about 14,000 lbs +/- loaded. This is a float on trailer, no rollers, (well two that support the bow) and the bunk boards are approximately 20 feet long. According to yall I would need what, two 6,000 lb straps, plus winch strap and bow safty chain? He**, one of these straps would probably lift (conservitively) two of my trailers. Ive seen boats, sized like mine and some larger, that have come off of trailers in my days also. But the tow vehicle nor the trailer were in any better shape than boat. All the accidents like this I have seen are results of rollover. Ill say, "IF" my boat is going to shift enough weight(with its low center of gravity) to rollover or come off my trailer during an evasive manuver, I would prefer it broke loose from any and all straps that may be holding the "TRAILER TO THE BOAT", and hopefully spare me and my tow vehicle. Also anyone else that may be in the vacinity. I dont see where stern straps on my rig will or can make it any safer than it is, as it is being towed now. I see a greater danger if it was all bound together. My trailer being bound to my boat is not going to stop my boat from leaving the road under those type situations. If 11,000 lbs is moving, 2,000lbs aint gonna stop it.<br /><br />I do see a need on small lighter boats, especially flat bottomed boats. Also boats on roller trailers.<br /><br />On another note, dont the 18 wheeler tractors have an emergency "trailer latch release", that releases the trailer from the tractor in an emergency to hopefully keep the driver from being injured or crushed by his cargo load in case of a horrific accident?
I'm Sure Glad I Don't get down to Mississippi very often,..........<br />With Your Thinking,..... It sounds like an Extremely Dangerous Place.........<br /><br />A "Tractor Protection Valve" is NOT an Automatic Trailer Unhooking device......<br /><br />What it Does do is,....<br />If by chance the Trailer should become Unhooked from the tow unit,....<br />It Applies the Trailer BRAKES,........ In order to Stop the trailer from Killing People.......<br /><br />I Can't Believe that you Think that a trucker can Just Jettison his Trailer/ Load,.... At Will.......
<br /><br />The "Idea" of All of this is,...........<br />Any,+ All loads placed on a Trailer,.. ANY Trailer....<br />MUST Be Secured to that Trailer in a way that the Load, BECOMES a Part of said Trailer........<br /><br />A
Secured Load , on a Trailer that's
Securely Hitched to a tow unit, is somewhat Controlable, Even in a Uncontroled situation,........<br /><br />You Don't have the Right,... Or even the Option of Getting Away from YOUR load, if or when YOU cause it to become Uncontrolable.............<br /><br />But,......<br />You DO have the
Responsibility , to Yourself,+ the Rest of Mankind, to Ride it Out,....<br />While Praying for the Best,+ Doing All that is Possible to
Avoid the
Inoccents that Maybe in YOUR Path..................<br /><br />I Just Can't Believe the Total LACK of
Common Sense that abounds in this Issue.....................................
<br /><br /><br />BTW,.............<br />I'm having abit of a Problem with the way you guys are figuring out How Heavy a Tie-down you'll be Needing,..............<br /><br />Tie-downs have Absolutely Nothing to do with the Weight of the Load on the Trailer..........<br /><br />Tie-downs SHOULD be Rated High enough to Withstand the Impact of the Load, Trying to Leave the Trailer............<br /><br />Notice a Lumber Hauler,.... He'll have Atleast 2 Chains for each 10' of load Length,... So, that would be 2 Chains to hold 4 units of 8',2X4s.....<br />That's about 300,000lbs of Restraining Power, to hold,... What,.??, Maybe a Ton or 3 of 2X4s......<br /><br />In Other Words,......<br />Use the Largest, Strongest Tie-downs as Possible.............<br />Just like a PFD,........<br />It's a Total Pain in the Arse,.........<br /><br />Till you Really Need 'em.......................
