Worn Tie Down Brackets

[dacollins]

I have a 2002 Maycraft 1900 CC; 2002 F115 Yamaha 4 stroke; tralered on a Load Rite 203100102SA; towed with a GMC Sierra 5.3L 4wd, 4.10 rear end. With the boat motor fully tilted up,and the lock in place, one corner of the engine housing rested slightly on the tie down strap. I was still able to tighten the tie down strap. The tie down brackets are (were) on the very back of the trailer frame, where the lights are mounted (used the same bolts). After several trips of 150 miles or so, the hooks on the tie down strap were sawed through by the tie down brackets. As well, the tie down brackets were close to being completely cut through by the hooks. I have replaced the tie down brackets and moved them forward, so there is no contact with the engine. (also replaced the strap.) There still appears to be some friction at the connection point of strap hook and tie down bracket.<br />I have not seen this kind of wear before and was wondering if this is "normal wear and tear".<br />Thanks for any help!!

 

[crab bait]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

holey moley.. what the heck...!!<br /><br />i read what your sayin' but can't for the life........<br /><br />we'er talkin' ss steel here.. hooks & hook eye bolts bein' sawed right in half in less then a season or so... <br /><br />you say from friction... where's/what friction..?? <br /><br />if the straps are tite,,, where's it comin' from..??<br /><br />i really can't help you here... but to say no it's not normal..<br /><br />gotta be the motor bouncing/touchin' the cause..

 

[dacollins]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

yeah, that's what I thought. I ordered the new brackets from a Load Rite dealer and told him of the problem. He did not think the motor was the issue. He said the strap had to be loose. It wasn't. There are no unusual vibrations or other problems that I am aware of with this rig. Anyway, since I had never seen this problem before, I was just trolling for information/ideas.<br />Thanks

 

[Wreck Rider]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Wow! That's incredible wear. I'm not an expert but I do have two cents: for that amount of wear there has to be significant movement of the two pieces in contact. Since the strap isn't loose there must be something else in the system that let's the tail end of the boat sway back and forth, otherwise it doesn't seem like there's enough movement to cause this damage. Maybe the roller supports on the back end have some sway in them? Or the trailer frame is flexing back and forth a little? <br /><br />Good luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Ya,... That's Nuts.....<br />If it Can't Move,<br />It Can't Wear....<br /><br />Mine are Barely worn through the Plastic coating on the strap hooks....<br />My trailer didn't have tie-downs Where I wanted them,<br />So I got 1/2" forged Eye bolts,+ used them.....

 

[dacollins]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Thanks for the input. I am stumped about this problem. Never seen it before. I have not noticed any vibration or shaking. towed it for a year and noticed no wear before this problem turned up recently. Wreck, the boats sits on bunks and there has been no change to them. The way the brackets are worn, it looks almost like a straight pull. Happy to e-mail a picture (can't figure how to post it here!!)<br />David

 

[Bondo]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

I'll take a Look.......<br /><br />Use cap-lock,+ a long "Boat Trailer" sentence in the "subject" line,<br />So I can find it, in all the Spam at that mailbox.....

 

[dacollins]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Bondo, just sent the pic. I'm interested in any ideas about this problem<br />Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Hi Dave,<br />Of the 2 pics you sent, the 2nd one came thru..... 1st one 1 is a red X.....<br />It Appears to Me,<br />That this Isn't Wear.....<br />It Looks more like a corrosive, or galvanic action...<br />The metal is disappearing in Chunks... Some of which appears to be Transfered to the Hook, from the Eye.....<br />Do you launch in the Salt ??? <br />If you Do, a More Through Washdown/Flushing Job, Might Help, or Fix the problem.....<br /><br />Definitely Not Wear....

 

[dacollins]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Bondo,<br />Thanks for the look-see. Yes, I live on the coast and launch in salt and/or brackish water. I too noticed the rust stains running down the bracket. I believe you may be right. I do a good wash down to the interior and hose off the hull and trailer. Probably don't pay much attention to the strap and hooks. I've replaced the strap with one that has SS hooks. The brackets are still galvanized. It's good to be reasonably assured that it's not friction.<br />Thanks again

 

[Bondo]

Re: Worn Tie Down Brackets

Yep, <br />I guess You've got one more Spot to Flush.......<br />One of my trailers came from Maine.....Ocean launches.....<br />It's Not hard to tell Which one it Is.......... <br />You can Distinctly See the Waterline........