Trailer Winch Strap Broke

[Brian B]

Thought I'd post this as a heads up if you trailer. I pulled my boat for the season couple of days ago. The boat floated right on up to the winch post, hooked up the winch strap and made it secure, attached the safety chain. My buddy pulled the boat out of the water until the boat's weight was on the trailer and stopped. As we are checking everything over before proceeding up the ramp the winch starts making loud creaking noises. As I'm looking at it the strap tore loose about a foot from the hook. The boat didn't move from its position on the trailer and everything was safe. I took the hook off, pulled a few feet off the winch and tied the strap directly to the eye on the boat. I also used dock lines from the bow of the boat to the trailer.
I've since learned that these straps do tear exactly as mine did, UV damage to the straps appears to be the cause. There were no physical indications that my strap had a weak point, this strap was 3 years old. A new strap costs around $20.00, another item for the maintenance list.

 

[JamesTXSD]

If your trailer is stored outside the last few feet of the strap are always exposed to UV. You can unroll a few more feet and slice the strap; have an awning place stitch it back on the hook (unless you have access to a heavy duty sewing machine). You get a few more years out of the strap. At $20 for a new strap, that is cheap maintenance, too. We cut ours every other year and replaced it at 6 years.

 

[Adagio]

A quick fix is to cut a few inches off the strap and simply tie it to the hook using a ring hitch. It will not slip!

Adagio

 

[DBBRanger]

A quick fix is to cut a few inches off the strap and simply tie it to the hook using a ring hitch. It will not slip!

Adagio

I don't understand - how do you "tie" a 2" web to a ring? My strap is quite rigid and would not tie easily to something that is 2"-3" in diameter. What am I missing?

 

[Don Cardinal]

I cover my winch and strap with a piece of canvas and tie it with a shock cord or two. I do this where ever the trailer is including when traveling and at the launch pad . I hope to make a custom fit cover this winter that will look a little better and be easier to install.
I also cover the trailer coupler and surge brake reservoir to keep water and dirt out.
Don