does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

[In Deep]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I do believe you have your answer from the numerous above posts.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I think it would also be helpful if people posted pic. of there boats and how they tow them. This way we can see the different techniques on strapping it down.

 

[pontoonsteve]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I purchased a toon new in the spring and the dealer did not include straps. We had negotiated pretty hard by that point, I did mention the fact I expected straps to be part of the deal but for sixteen bucks I let that one go. Do it, it can't hurt and it takes less than a minute to put them on and less than a minute to take them off. Your protecting yourself from the other crazies in this world.

 

[Dakota Dave]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

yes I do. My trailer has tiedown loops right under the bunks at the back end. just hook a ratchet strap from there to the lifting eyes at the back of the tube . If I'm going a long ways I also wrap a strap around the tube and bunk near the front. as my winch strap just hooks to the front crossmember

 

[cbavier]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

i do believe you have your answer from the numerous above posts.

I agree and yes please show some pictures because my pontoon does not have the lifting brackets on the tubes and I need to see some alternate solid methods of securing my pontoon to the trailer. My trailer is a float on but the tubes do not rest in bunks because the trailer does not have the bunks for the tubes..

 

[Volphin]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

Secure your load! I have actually seen a pontoon leave the trailer and plop right down in the middle of the road. It was not pretty. His wifey looked like she was going to blow a serious gasket. I wound up going around the accident. I wonder how they got it back on the trailer?

V

 

[cbavier]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

Post some Pictures PLEASE! Front and Back



F

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I use ratchet straps on the back of my 24'.
Mike

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

There was a story in our local paper where a guy was pulling a large pontoon boat with his truck. He lost control of it at a high speed and flipped the pontoon boat up side down The rear strips heald the boat in place. It was a odd picture because who ever sees a pontoon boat up side down and the trailer on top.

 

[Blank-N-Ship]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I'm glad someone mentioned the legality of this. The boat must be tied down, by law.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.106

 

[lmuss53]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I put a rachet strap around tube, bunks, and trailer on both sides when I haul the Forester, the Sea Nymph has tie downs that were not in use when I got it but will be from now on.

LK the regs you are siting apply to commercial vehicles. Private individuals not engaged in commerce are not bound by them. They may be good common sense that all of us should follow, but we will not be stopped by the DOT if they see us hauling our private boats and not in compliance with these rules. Your local law enforcement will also never site a non-commercial vehicle using these regs.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

I really hate to tell you this but the DOT will stop you for failure to follow the rules.
Ignorance is no excuse.
Local police will also stop you for the same reasons.
They (local police) may not get into the Commercial side of motor vehicle enforcement, but local police will stop non-commercial traffic for safety violations (which is just what this is).
So, Yes, these are good common sense practices to follow, they are also the law and are subject to stiff fines, for failure to follow them.

 

[san diego flyer]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

bitterboater is correct. I was skeptical when I read the Fed law. So I called the highway patrol. The answer was that by state law also, unequivocally the boat must be fastened down. Now, around lake areas you will see multitudes of folks who have dry storage either at their home or other that is only a mile or two away and law enforcement looks the other way when they see one being towed without tie-downs.

Also, the law is one of those ( like not having a front license plate on your vehicle) that police often turn away from. But in the event that they want to check you out for something else, having no tie-downs gives them probable cause to stop you.

And finally, if your boat comes loose without tie-downs and causes another person or vehicle to be involved, you will be cited which paves the way for those involved to take you to civil court.


Aside from taking a big risk with your recreational investment, you risk losing your nest egg.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

PSP in Huntingdon told me that the lack of straps on the back of the boat does not by itself constitute a safety violation, and that private persons are not required to comply with the DOT regs about securing loads.

She then told me that we are responsible for safely securing our boats to the trailer and if they (or DOT) see one with a safety issue they will pull it over to investigate. I guess I stand corrected.

The long and the short of it is we have to keep our boats on the trailers and straps in the back are just good common sense for pontoons. If you don't have holes for hooks on the trailer gets some welded on, or get some of those fold down rings for a cargo trailers put on, or just wrap a rachet strap the whole way around. Be careful of strap hardware as it contacts the tube, a couple of hours of a rachet or hook rubbing against your tube could ruin your trip for sure.

 

[Blank-N-Ship]

Re: does any one tie the rear down when trailering?

Additionally, you have to think in terms of what your insurance company is going to dredge up should you be in an accident. It's in their best interest to find any reason why they should deny a claim. Not strapped? They're going to love that one.