Super User Ratherbfishing Posted March 18, 2014 Super User Posted March 18, 2014 The configuration of my boat on my boat trailer was such that it was tongue heavy-so much so that it would pull the truck frame down excessively. (Other cars would flash their brights thinking I had my brights on). No problem (I thought). I moved the bow stop back about 6 inches. This resolved that problem however NOW the tie downs on the back invariably work their way loose to the point that if I don't check them every hour or so, they're likely to come off. I don't want to lose them and I definitely don't want them flying off and hitting a person or another car. When I load the boat, I winch it securely to the bowstop and tighten the tie downs as tight as they will go and yet it ALWAYS happens. Admittedly, the straps, when cinched tight, are no longer in a perfect line-there is a small bend in the strap where it hits the corner of the bottom of the boat-but the boat is snut against the bow stop and shouldn't, theoretically, go anywhere. Or am i wrong? Is the boat, when I break, riding up the roller on the bow stop? Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, how did you solve it? Do I need to weld on extensions on the trailer frame so the tie-down straps are straight? Help (please)! Quote
BassnChris Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 my tie downs are 'bent' over the lower transom edge too..............but they do not work loose..................not even on an 8+ hour road trip. Sounds almost like things are sliding forward on the trailer. Are they retracable type or a binding type tie down..................if binding type then I would suspect they are slipping in the buckle. Binding kinda like these: Quote
Super User Ratherbfishing Posted March 18, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 18, 2014 my tie downs are 'bent' over the lower transom edge too..............but they do not work loose..................not even on an 8+ hour road trip. Sounds almost like things are sliding forward on the trailer. Are they retracable type or a binding type tie down..................if binding type then I would suspect they are slipping in the buckle. Truthfully I'm unsure what the difference between retracable and binding tie downs. I thought the straps might be slipping in the buckle but they never did before I moved things around. Quote
BassnChris Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 My previous post pic is one of the binding type......there are also some that ratchet but are not retractable. Here is a pic of the retractable type......they roll up automatically. Quote
tbone1993 Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 My previous post pic is one of the binding type......there are also some that ratchet but are not retractable. Here is a pic of the retractable type......they roll up automatically. These are the best investment on a trailer 2 Quote
Super User Ratherbfishing Posted March 18, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 18, 2014 I believe they are the binding type. It's strange though, again, that they would slip now and never before. Guess it may be time to upgrade. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted March 19, 2014 Super User Posted March 19, 2014 The configuration of my boat on my boat trailer was such that it was tongue heavy-so much so that it would pull the truck frame down excessively. (Other cars would flash their brights thinking I had my brights on). No problem (I thought). I moved the bow stop back about 6 inches. This resolved that problem however NOW the tie downs on the back invariably work their way loose to the point that if I don't check them every hour or so, they're likely to come off. I don't want to lose them and I definitely don't want them flying off and hitting a person or another car. When I load the boat, I winch it securely to the bowstop and tighten the tie downs as tight as they will go and yet it ALWAYS happens. Admittedly, the straps, when cinched tight, are no longer in a perfect line-there is a small bend in the strap where it hits the corner of the bottom of the boat-but the boat is snut against the bow stop and shouldn't, theoretically, go anywhere. Or am i wrong? Is the boat, when I break, riding up the roller on the bow stop? Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, how did you solve it? Do I need to weld on extensions on the trailer frame so the tie-down straps are straight? Help (please)! What type of boat is it and how old and what size are the straps? What I'm thinking is by sliding the boat back on the trailer and shifting more of the weight behind the axle you've created more of a lever system (think riding on a school bus behind the hump and getting launched in the air). When you go over bumps there may be more force than what the straps are rated for causing them to slip a bit. Otherwise, they may just be getting old and need replacing. Quote
tbone1993 Posted March 19, 2014 Posted March 19, 2014 What type of boat is it and how old and what size are the straps? What I'm thinking is by sliding the boat back on the trailer and shifting more of the weight behind the axle you've created more of a lever system (think riding on a school bus behind the hump and getting launched in the air). When you go over bumps there may be more force than what the straps are rated for causing them to slip a bit. Otherwise, they may just be getting old and need replacing. Ontop of this your truck could have been under rated and it may have been better to put new shocks on it or something. 1 Quote
Super User Ratherbfishing Posted March 21, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 21, 2014 I think I'll regift them back to the person who gave them to me (he has an small johnboat/trailer) whose tiedowns (well, everything, actually) have about had it. Quote
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