Adding securing eyes to trailer

mattwarner · 31 December 2018, 11:42

Any ideas on how to add some fixing eyes to a galvanised trailer? I need to add two to attach my ratchet straps from the transom to the trailer but don't want to drill the trailer?

HDAV · 31 December 2018, 12:12

C Bolt them on?

M12 C Bolt over frame and then fit one of these to the exposed thread? https://www.gsproducts.co.uk/m12-bzp...ye-nut-eyenut/

ribber · 31 December 2018, 12:21

www.gsproducts.co.uk/eye-nuts/

Without drilling or welding perhaps find an eye nut with the same thread measurement and attach to an existing 'u ' bracket thread.

ribber · 31 December 2018, 12:23

HDAV great minds think alike.............

treerat · 31 December 2018, 12:29

I shackled some chain onto mine and secure to that.

Orwell boy · 31 December 2018, 15:16

duplicate sorry

jeffstevens763@g · 31 December 2018, 15:21

An easy way is to get long u bolts with two plates and four nuts the plates and nuts clamp to the frame leaving the u end sticking out for lashing to.

Orwell boy · 31 December 2018, 15:21

Made some myself using u bolt backing plates and welding single chain links on ,works a treat as you can put them where needed

breezeblock · 31 December 2018, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

Made some myself using u bolt backing plates and welding single chain links on ,works a treat as you can put them where needed

thats more like it or alternatively ratchet straps over the tubes

jeffstevens763@g · 31 December 2018, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

thats more like it or alternatively ratchet straps over the tubes

never

Pecheur Anglais · 02 January 2019, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

never

Whilst I can see the potential damage a ratchet strap over the tubes could do, I am fairly new to this. My 2nd hand rib came attached to its trailer with a ratchet strap, so I have not changed what I thought was right.

Looking round the hull, it has one metal fixing on the underside of the bow where I fix the security chain to the trailer, but no others.

Whilst I am happy to adapt fixing points on the trailer as suggested above, I am wary about drilling into my hull to fix tie on points on the assumption it would have been made with them if they were required.

Any recommendations on how I should properly secure my rib on the trailer please?

beamishken · 02 January 2019, 08:16

The whole straps over the tubes thing seems to be a bit of a ribnet thing. I've seen loads of ribs strapped over tubes (even seen manufacturers doing it with new boats) I've got a 20yo boat that has had straps over the tubes all its life with no ill effects.
My opinion is if it works for you then its fine there are no absolute rules when it comes to securing a boat to a trailer

HDAV · 02 January 2019, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

The whole straps over the tubes thing seems to be a bit of a ribnet thing. I've seen loads of ribs strapped over tubes (even seen manufacturers doing it with new boats) I've got a 20yo boat that has had straps over the tubes all its life with no ill effects.
My opinion is if it works for you then its fine there are no absolute rules when it comes to securing a boat to a trailer

The main issues with straps over tubes are the fact that the tubes can deflate in transit leaving the straps loose and ineffective. Not to mention potential damage from the straps rubbing the tubes (often see some scrap hypalon or neoprene between the strap and tube to help prevent this).

As for "tie downs would be fitted from the factory", only if the craft was intended to be trailed... many are not (UK is unusual in global markets) and are aimed at the tender market for smaller boats (does it have Davits?) and the moored market for larger.

That said i a not aware of any accidents or damage caused by strapping the tubes apart from staining when straps have been left in situ...

Trailering with tube deflated is a different matter.

Still need somewhere on the trailer for the strap to attach to....

jeffstevens763@g · 02 January 2019, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pecheur Anglais

Whilst I can see the potential damage a ratchet strap over the tubes could do, I am fairly new to this. My 2nd hand rib came attached to its trailer with a ratchet strap, so I have not changed what I thought was right.

Looking round the hull, it has one metal fixing on the underside of the bow where I fix the security chain to the trailer, but no others.

Whilst I am happy to adapt fixing points on the trailer as suggested above, I am wary about drilling into my hull to fix tie on points on the assumption it would have been made with them if they were required.

Any recommendations on how I should properly secure my rib on the trailer please?

no point in securing a load when the load has an ability to loosen off [tube pressure] as said the straps will rub also ratchet straps too tight increase the pressure in the tube if they are too tight or go tight. fix some u bolts with double plates and 4 nuts around your trailer frame and secure the transom with straps that will also stop the boat slipping back whereas over the tubes it won't if its too loose or your winch strap snaps.

just to add too, ratchet straps slacken when wet and tighten up as they dry

HDAV · 02 January 2019, 13:58

would be unusual for there to be nothing on the transom to attach a strap to our little avon was aimed at the yacht tender market and had lifting davits built into the floor but also had a bow eye and D loops on transom to strap it the trailer are there no fixing point on the transom? (they may be high up above the water line)

You also need to consider the consequences of an RTI while towing what if you are stationary and hit from behind? Will the load stay attached to the trailer? Can the load withstand severe braking in an emergency without becoming detached? If trailer is separated from car will the load remain stable?

Orwell boy · 02 January 2019, 16:57

Simple logic really ,,
if you pull away fast the boat will try to get off the back ,held by the winch but you need to cover a strap break scenario
If you break hard the boat will try and come forward , and yes it will ride up the winch post
if you go over a big bump and straps are over tubes the straps have been known to come unhooked as there is a slack strap point somewhere in that cycle .

Pecheur Anglais · 06 January 2019, 16:21

Thanks guys! Loads of useful stuff for me there.

I will have a review of how I can better secure her on the trailer before my next outing. Although I protect the tubes from the straps with some bits of vinyl backed fabric, I am very conscious that the unexpected can happen and some belt and braces from the various suggestions will give me peace of mind, particularly for longer journeys.

9D280 · 07 January 2019, 13:18

Other problem with straps over toobs is that say, for example, you leave at silly o'clock one early spring morning. As the sun comes up & warms your toobs, the P-V-T laws kick in & the pressure increases. OK, so your tubes become more rigid - a good thing from the point of view of keeping the boat on the trailer...

The bigger danger is as you leave the warm beach having strapped it down nice & tight, and as you drive home the sun sets the toobs will drop in pressure. Then your nice tight ratchet straps slacken and the boat isn't so much strapped down as loosely constrained...

I have the luxury of 2 towing eyes on my transom. I've seen people use eye bolts / nuts on the 2 bolts holding the bottom of their outboard saddle onto the transom, the straps are then hooked to them. - No extra holes.

Rogue Wave · 11 January 2019, 09:41

Extreme marine do a clever bolt on fitting I will get a photo of it