Trailer Saftey Chain

[Levi900RR]

I'm going to make some sort of Saftey Chain for my trailer this weekend. I have nothing to save my boat if the winch strap broke. I do run transom tie downs but would just feel better with a chain.

Post up some pics of what your set up looks like if you have time. Or just describe what you have. I was thinking of an Eye bolt through the trailer, then just some chain with a clasp on the end to hook to the bow eye?

Is there anything I'm not thinking of?

[Ndawg12]

I'm going to make some sort of Saftey Chain for my trailer this weekend. I have nothing to save my boat if the winch strap broke. I do run transom tie downs but would just feel better with a chain.

Post up some pics of what your set up looks like if you have time. Or just describe what you have. I was thinking of an Eye bolt through the trailer, then just some chain with a clasp on the end to hook to the bow eye?

Is there anything I'm not thinking of?

Hook, 1-2' of chain, clasp, make sure it's all stainless or galvanized.

Edited July 15, 2010 by Ndawg12

[Levi900RR]

I wonder if I should weld a U onto the trailer and use that rather than drilling and bolting? I need to re-finish the trailer anyway so...

[malibubts]

My trailer has a loop similar Ndawg's, but it's actually on the vertical support where the winch mounts. A foot or two of chain and a hook and you are good to go. If you have a welder I think it would be much easier to lay down a weld than drilling and bolting, but that's if you have a welder.

Edited July 15, 2010 by malibubts

[MizzouMike]

I used two links and some chain.

[electricjohn]

I use a half inch turnbuckle were they^^^^^ are using the chains.

[BarefootOz]

Levi900RR... I use a buckle retractable tie down I like it a lot... easy to use... even if you do not lock it the boat would never slide all the way off the trailer since it is only 3 feet long...

[Levi900RR]

I use a half inch turnbuckle were they^^^^^ are using the chains.

I like this idea, it would take a little pressure off the winch strap.

[Ndawg12]

Levi900RR... I use a buckle retractable tie down I like it a lot... easy to use... even if you do not lock it the boat would never slide all the way off the trailer since it is only 3 feet long...

Can you reach and operate that from sitting in the bow? I get backed in, start the boat, and then release the winch strap and safety chain while sitting in the bow.

[Shine]

I'm going to make some sort of Saftey Chain for my trailer this weekend. I have nothing to save my boat if the winch strap broke. I do run transom tie downs but would just feel better with a chain.

Post up some pics of what your set up looks like if you have time. Or just describe what you have. I was thinking of an Eye bolt through the trailer, then just some chain with a clasp on the end to hook to the bow eye?

Is there anything I'm not thinking of?

Levi

Since you have the freedom to make it custom, IMO I would want to make it in a way that it would keep the bow in the stop as the winch strap holds it. The least amount of slack as possible will also keep momentum from working against you if you ever need that back up.

I put some pics in your email.

[BarefootOz]

Nsawg12... Sorry, I do not have a open bow but I would say it would be hard to reach all the way down to unlock it, especially with bigger boats... you could unlock it and leave the hook on, once you're in the water then you could just remove the hook from the bow.

[BarefootOz]

Ndawg12... Here's a short video to give you an idea how they work...

Edited July 15, 2010 by BarefootOz

[Levi900RR]

I'm really leaning towards the turn buckle. It would keep the boat in the front stop, and take some of the load off the winch strap. I'll post up some pics as I put it together.

Thanks for all the input, keep it comming!!

[LS-One]

Extreme Trailers come with a safety cable its a pretty beefy cable.

[jetskipro550]

I made my own the other day. Used 1/2 chain rated at 3500lbs. and 'hook' like MizzouMike posted that was rated at 5000lbs. I would have liked to get something stronger, but it should keep the boat from falling off the trailer if the strap were to break going up any hill.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Good call guys. While some people would say that they have never had one & never had a problem so it's not really needed.

I HAVE had the winch implode on my MC boat trailer. The winch was snugged up tight & I was driving over some bumps when it happened. It literally blew apart & the winch strap was loose. I replaced the winch & installed a chain & hook similar to the one above.

In another incident, I've had the strap itself break..... just got old I suppose.

My Extreme trailer has the cable on it already, like LS-One explained.

[Faceplant409]

I don't have pics but I have just a 1" boat buckle under the bow AND I put a piece of chain on as well. The buckle helps with bouncing and the chain is just in case...

For the chain (see Ndawgs blue trailer pic for reference) I drilled a hole in one of the pieces of 1/4" plate holding the bow roller and used a piece of 1/2" chain with a double clevis on that end and a heavy stainless spring hook on the bow hook.

[Levi900RR]

I don't have pics but I have just a 1" boat buckle under the bow AND I put a piece of chain on as well. The buckle helps with bouncing and the chain is just in case...

For the chain (see Ndawgs blue trailer pic for reference) I drilled a hole in one of the pieces of 1/4" plate holding the bow roller and used a piece of 1/2" chain with a double clevis on that end and a heavy stainless spring hook on the bow hook.

So do you use the boat buckle in place of a hand winch?

[MARiley]

not quite the same thing, but this is the best solution i've ever seen to the "stop the boat from rolling down the driveway and into traffic" problem and i felt it was cool enough to post. boat was also chocked to hell. i saw it at a jobsite last week.

[apwrx]

not quite the same thing, but this is the best solution i've ever seen to the "stop the boat from rolling down the driveway and into traffic" problem and i felt it was cool enough to post. boat was also chocked to hell. i saw it at a jobsite last week.

You think he could just drop the anchor he's got hanging off the back.

[MARiley]

i know, it was an alpha drive. ew. but regardless, it was an awesome idea.

[Bill_AirJunky]

So do you use the boat buckle in place of a hand winch?

It's not like you loosen or remove the winch hook. It's still hooked up too. The combination of all the attachments are what might keep the boat & trailer connected when things get a little hairy.

[Soon2BV]

I added a boat buckle to the bow.

I use the winch for loading and unloading, the boat buckle is just a safety when traveling.

[Levi900RR]

I added a boat buckle to the bow.

I use the winch for loading and unloading, the boat buckle is just a safety when traveling.

Got ya...

[cmcgee82]

Lowes/ Home Depot have actual "tow chains" rated for 5000lbs. that is what i did. Complete package for a lot less money. 3ft chain with quick link on one end (hook to trailer)and slip hook with safety latch on the other (hook to boat).