Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

[TMoNeE]

I recent picked up a boat and trailer, but the trailer doesnt have a safety chain for the hull which I dont like, just the strap. How would I go about adding one?

Please excuse the crappy picture, its all I have right now.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

Go to your local Home store (Lowes, Home Depot etc.,) and buy a length of stout chain and a hook. Bolt one end of the chain to the trailer frame. Hook the other end to the bow eye. Done. Cost -- less than $10 bucks. That chain should also angle backward toward the bow stop to limit forward movement in the event of a hard stop or impact. As it is, the bow stop will act as a launching ramp and put the boat into the back of your tow vehicle. I hope you have stern tie downs as well. Without them you are a traveling disaster waiting to happen.

Sort of like this one:

 

[oldrenken79]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

I would go to a hardware store and buy a length of chain and a strong hook, long enough to run from the bow eye to where the winch is mounted to the trailer and bolt it there. Give yourself enough slack that it's not bound up.

It's possible you can buy a ready-made chain. Check with your marina.

Come to think of it, I like his idea better. Bolt the other end straight down or slightly aft.

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

It has stern straps, just no safety chain

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

It has stern straps, just no safety chain

It needs a safety chain. I'm with Silvertip.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

You DO NOT want the chain toward the winch. That means if the boat goes forward the chain becomes slack so it does not good until the boat is already over the bow stop. anchor the chain so it angles backward with just enough slack so you can fasten and unfasten it..

 

[woosterken]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

hook the chain in the bow eye, move the bottom end back about 4" or so towards the back of the trailer.
us a turn buckle in it to take the slack out of it once the boat is in possition against the bow stop.

woosterken

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

update? i have the same problem.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Trailer doesnt have a safety chain

See this thread, it has everything you'll need to know:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410308