Tie downs for trailering?

[dasboot]

Hey now trailerheads,

What's is the general consensus regarding tie downs for the boat while on the trailer? Seems contrary to NOT tie her down, but with all that weight in the keel tucked into the keel cradle, is she really going anywhere?

 

[Bob McL]

Tie it down

Saw a boat being towed on the freeway; traffic came to a rapid stop; and the boat trailer started to sway. All that weight just added to the momentum and the boat came of the trailer like the end of a hammer. Why take a chance?

 

[Paul Brinkley]

A tie-down strap does several things: it makes the boat and trailer bounce together, keeps the boat from moving sideways, provides additional security if your winch cable/strap breaks, and as someone said, in the event of an accident, it helps the boat and trailer wind up in the same vicinity.... and it doesn't take that long to put on. -Paul

 

[caguy]

Bob is right the the weight of the keel and boat are factors of the momentum of the boat. I usually as previously posted rest the keel on the cross member when traveling but leave no slack so that it hold it to the boat. I strap the bow down from frame over the bow (behind the bow cleat) and to the other side of the frame. I also hold the hooks in place with zip ties, I have had them bounce loose and unhook. I use a 3'' web strap with a ratchet. I use my dock line to tie down the back.
I also have a 3/16 cable that is bolted to the trailer and shackled to the bow eye. I don't trust the web strap on the boat winch. I cut that off regularly and discard the rotten ends. For pulling it up the ramp is use a strap (available at WM) with a quick release as a back up to the winch strap.

 

[Timo42]

I use a 3" W/M strap with the camlock across he stern hooked to eyes welded to the trailer, a tiedown that hooks to the bow eye in addition to the winch strap. Keel resting on the trailer frame. Motor goes into the back of the truck. Tim

 

[Nik]

They are a must have...

Tie downs are a must have. I use 2 - 2"x20000lbs straps that I got from the local Tractor Supply, WalMart also sells them, about 15.00 each. Really need to have the boat and trailor tied to each other. Thinks, I see 60,000lbs of steel looking like Gulliver all the time with all the chains holding it down. Happy and safe sailing and welcome to the group. You'll enjoy your Mac.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I tie the bow down, which helps with the bouncing.. I would like rear straps to keep boat from moving forward, but trailer is still too short for that. I tried them just aft of the cabin, but didn't think they would do much in a rollover.

 

[dasboot]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'll be following your advice and getting some beefy tie downs. Can't wait to try her out on Sunday! Whoo-hoo

 

[Knuttle]

Tie downs a minus

When I got my V-21 I fitted the trailer so I could use tie downs. I bought a heavy 2.5" web strap and drilled holes in the trailer to accept the hooks. I used them for many years.

The only time I needed tie downs, they broke and I still had to reposition the boat on the trailer. Since then I have seen several boats where the keels came up in the boat and broke the cockpit. ie the bottom of the boat came up and the boat was squeezed until the cross member under the cockpit broke through the cockpit floor.

I suspect that tie downs are like many things, sort of security blankets. In a collision the boat will be damage to some degree. Tie downs may prevent some damage but they also may increase the damage.

 

[MrMikey64]

I think a lot of people here have the right idea - you want to keep the boat with the trailer in the event of an accident.
When vehicles are towed on flatbed trucks, GOOD operators secure the vehicle at four points, in addition to the winch cable.
It may seem like overkill, but I've seen examples where a flatbed tow truck has rolled over - and sure enough, the vehicle stayed with it the entire way.
By securing it as much as possible, you're preventing one potential highway obstruction to become two (or more).

 

[Mick]

I have two truck cargo straps. Cheap insurance. I would have to look at a banged up boat and say I wish I had.

 

[Timo42]

One other point, if you run a strap across the cockpit, don't crank it down really tight, a little past snug seems to do the trick for mine, and then release it when you are home so as not to warp the fiberglass. Tim