trailer straps

T

trailertrawlerkismet

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
2,519
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Vessel Name
(2022) Kismet
Two trailer security straps came with our R27/EZ Loader trailer and like many of you each is attached to an eye bolt on the trailer frame and run up underneath the trim tab and to an eye bolt on the boat transom. I have not had any problem but in looking at this setup yesterday I wondered if there might be to much pressure onto the side of the trim tab from the trailer strap. Has anyone else thought this and or does anyone else have a different strap setup? If so how, what and where.

Thanks,
 
Jim,

When we picked up our R-27 at the factory two weeks ago, Kenny secured the straps from an eye bolt on the trailer directly up to the stern cleat. He put a small piece of fabric to protect the gel coat and it worked very well for the 800 mile journey home.

Stu
 
Jim,
I attach my strap by hooking it to the frame of the trailer. I then run it under the rails across the cockpit and down to attach to the opposite I-beam of the trailer. I made covers for my strap out of sheepskin so as not to damage the hull. Haven't had any issues towing and I have been on the Bruckner Expressway in NYC. this has more potholes than the moon!
 
We do like Stu: through the eyebolt and up to the stern cleat. Adding a cloth to protect the gelcoat. Our routine is to haul the boat out of the water, slam on the brakes to get it snug against the trailer post, then strap it down.. Given the weight of the boat and the bunks on the trailer, I have often wondered if this strapping even makes a difference. Others will know.

By the way, after watching the boat pitch on its trailer for a while, we added a strap through the u bolt in the stem, down to the central ibeam. Seems to help a lot. And yes, the tongue weight on the trailer is correct

Jeff
 
Bill and Mike:

I have a couple of questions after reading your posts on strapping the transom of the boat to the trailer. Do you use one 2 inch strap? Do you run it up the hull side and under the rear most cleat and over? Has your sheep skin and or seat belt protection kept the gelcoat from getting marred? I really like this idea vs what I've been doing.

Jim
 
trailertrawlerkismet":3bkqzbn0 said:
Bill and Mike:

I have a couple of questions after reading your posts on strapping the transom of the boat to the trailer. Do you use one 2 inch strap? Do you run it up the hull side and under the rear most cleat and over? Has your sheep skin and or seat belt protection kept the gelcoat from getting marred? I really like this idea vs what I've been doing.

Jim
Click to expand...

For the past eight days we have been enroute to Anacortes from Texas via SoCal. A couple of days ago I switched my straps from the attachment points just above the swim grid to the stern cleats. We hooked around the back attachment point for the cleat straight down to the eyelet on the trailer with a small square of monkey fur where the strap passed over the hull to protect the bottom paint. No damage and much easier to attach than the way I was originally shown. I have always had trouble keeping the stern centered on the trailer. Attaching in this manner, the boat moved over to center by loosing the side it needed to move to and tightening the other side. When it centered by road vibration, I snugged both sides down equally.

I think that you would have trouble keeping the boat on the trailer properly without the straps.
 
Jim: My post doesn't address your enquiry specifically, but since you have brought up the issue I wanted to add that even though I don't trailer my R-25 and it being in the salt water year round the two eye bolts on our transom you refer to have rusted/corroded badly over a period of nearly 4 years. It's difficult for me to know from their rusted condition just how strong they are for their intended purpose. From just looking at them on our boat I would be very hesitant in using them to hold anything.

The rusting of these two transom mounted bolts has to be because they are always submerged in water whereas the same kind of bolt for trailering on the bow stem is pristine looking and not in the water.

I know you keep your boat in the water for some time each year and wonder what the condition the two transom mounted eye bolts condition is ? Do they show any signs of rusting ? If and when your two eye bolts do deteriorate to the point you become concerned what steps will you take in replacing them ? There was another post a few weeks back that brought up the issue of replacing these bolts and the enquiry was about the holding bolts that attach the eye bolt to the transom. What was their diameter and length. I believe Andrew responded to that post.
 
I only trailer our R-25 a few times a year, to and from Lake Erie which is about 150 miles. I have two straps, one through the bow eye and down to the trailer frame, and one that I run across the stepdowns in the gunnels.

The reason for the bow eye strap is an experience I had towing my C-Dory 25 a few years ago when I didn't use a strap to pull the bow down.:



The 2 inch strap over the gunnels is over some thick towels. So far no issues with wear on the boat:

 
Barry, my transom eye bolts appear like new. For reference purposes our eye bolts are mounted above the swim platform and are never submerged into the water, unless we get backwash up onto the swim platform. I don't have the answer to your other questions but recall the post.

Herb, I have a question based on your post reply......Are you running two straps, one on either side vs one strap that covers from one eyelet to the other?
 
Hmmmm.... that's very interesting that your eye bolts are above the swim step. Mine are below and certainly are below the waterline.

Laxey almost completed at the Kent factory.
1.jpg


Here's what the eye bolt looked like Mar of 2012 after almost 3 years.
2.jpg
 
trailertrawlerkismet":1bzw7sx8 said:
Barry, my transom eye bolts appear like new. For reference purposes our eye bolts are mounted above the swim platform and are never submerged into the water, unless we get backwash up onto the swim platform. I don't have the answer to your other questions but recall the post.

Herb, I have a question based on your post reply......Are you running two straps, one on either side vs one strap that covers from one eyelet to the other?
Click to expand...

Two straps, one on each side. To make sure the boat went the right direction, I loosed one strap and supertightened the other one. Drove and adjusted, drove and adjusted, etc.

My eye bolts are out of the water also....maybe Barry has too many groceries in the pantry.
 
Picture showing strap from stern cleat to trailer. Also plumbing from shower sump to RV Park sewer. (standard items at Camping world, no mods to boat.) Also works on holding tank. Note strap from bow eye to trailer, keeps boat from bouncing.

 
Herb: that must be the reason :lol: So will tell Chloe and Jake they will need to move to the anchor locker. 😀
 


Hi Jim:

I use a single heavy duty cargo strap, with fake wool pads on the gunwales and on the hull where strap touches. So far there hasn't been an issue. It's strapped down about 2 or 3 feet forward of the transom, still giving room to open the cabin door.

I suppose at some point the cargo strap will have to be replaced from being in the weather, but that's ok.
 
Pics on my photo album of this set up.

Yes this is a problem from the EZ factory to the dealer (who did not know how to tie a boat down) to the end user. I called Ez Loader and requested to 3" square u bolts with plates. I added directional pull plates on their Sq U Bolt set up on the last cross member. The tie downs are now a straight line and only rub on the bottom aft edge of the boat. Also added a front strap that ties the front of the boat down to the trailer and keeps it there. The winch strap and chain are not for towing just for recovery and security. The Separate front tie down is very effective in keeping the boat snug on the trailer and the trailer frame from over flexing on rough roads. Hope this helps.
 
There has been a wealth of good information on the trailer/boat strapping topic, thanks for all the great input. Off to purchase a new strap or two.
 
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