trailer winch

B

BoatCrazy

Active member
Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
RO Number
30843
Messages
2,332
So Ive had some problems this summer with my trailer winch strap. I had replaced my original winch, with a brand new one. The one that I had replaced it with has a strap with a hook, instead of glav and a hook.

So far I have replaced the strap two times because the hook would snap the strap while towing..

Now i have the boat tied down to the trailer, so I am trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong...

anyone else ever have an issue like this???
 
Only one related problem like that

tomk-thatshouldhold1.jpg
 
Pix would help. What is the strap's rated weight.
 
the strap has a max weight of 5000lbs. the boat was a 17ft imperial..
 
My guess is that when you pull the trailer onto level ground after retrieving the boat, somehow the trailer is flexing or the boat is moving putting additional strain on the strap. Possibly if you didn't winch it up quite so tight it would be able to accommodate the movement.

The galvanized wire you used to use would cut into the spool of wire and "give" a little with the strain, the strap can't.
 
Are you coming over or under (or through depending on the setup) of the bow stop?

Does the strap look anything like this?

trailerStrap.jpg


If mounted correctly, there is no way that strap should give on a boat that size and I can't believe you got two bad ones.
 
I find it hard to believe too; I've NEVER had one fail.

The strap is probably stronger than the hook is. I wonder if the hook is CUTTING the strap?
 
Willie,
Think you're right, hook is cutting the strap. The boat isn't heavy enough to break it.
 
So if the hook is cutting the strap what should i do?? Loosen up the strap from the winch?
 
Once the boat is out of the water and the trailer on level ground, release the lock on the winch and back it off a few clicks so it's snug but not overly tight. This should take the excess strain off the strap. It takes the excess strain off the bow eye too.

I'd inspect the hook closely for sharp edges on the inside of the hole and if I found any I'd smooth them off with a round file. You shouldn't need to remove the strap to do this. However if the cutting has already started it may be too late. You may be able to cut off the damaged part of the strap and re-sew it; or have a canvas or upholstery shop re-sew it, but it might be cheaper to simply get a new strap. (check the hook as above before putting it in service).

Could also be that the trailer is not properly adjusted to fit your boat and the bow of the boat is jumping up and down. If you think this might be happening take the whole rig to a boat shop and explain the problem, and have them adjust the trailer. It'll be cheaper than having to repair the boat later.

You should have a safety chain from the trailer to the bow eye of the boat. If not you need to install one.

If you transit any rough roads/potholes on the way to/from the ramp, SLOW DOWN. All that bouncing doesn't help anything.
 
Thanks.

The boat was fitted to the trailer when I first got the boat. Infact I did a whole bunch of work to the trailer to help the boat sit better on the trailer. I never leave it super tight, once the boat is out of the water I back off a little bit. I also have a safety chain from the trailer to the boat. I also tie down the bow as well.

I do go slow when I am towing (i love when people honk and flip me the finger cause im going slow) lol.

I checked the hook a few minutes ago and all is smooth. I havent a clue at this point.....
 
Next time you take it for a drive have someone sit in the back and watch how the boat rides. They might spot something we've missed.

If the bow is bouncing up and down, you might be able to install another keel roller under the bow of the boat to support it better (or move an existing roller further forward)

Does the tie down seem to help? It might be a necessary part of your rigging. Some boats need one.

If you have been easing the strap already and it hasn't helped, try leaving it tight...

How is the trailer balanced? a trailer with a really light tongue load seems to me to bounce worse than one that's heavier.

If you can, post a picture of the boat on the trailer and maybe some of the trailer gurus can help. At the moment we're all kinda in the "dark".

People honk at me all the time too, even when I'm NOT towing! But at 63 I'm getting used to it...
 
Willie, thanks for the info.

Suprisingly enough the tie downs help. I was driving down the road over the summer and out of no where the strap breaks and the bow went up..ever since then i tie down the bow and will continue to do so.
 
If you slack off the tie downs and the winch strap does the bow of the boat want to rise up off the bow roller???? If so I think you need some weight on that roller to stabilize the boat. Depending on what's adjustable on that particular trailer and what's not, you could adjust the winch pedestal, the trailer bunks, or the keel rollers.

Here's a site that might help: http://www.loadrite.com/Support/Maintaining_Your_Trailer/Trailer_Adjustment_Boat_Trailers/76/

Only try ONE thing at a time. If you do two or more things and it gets worse, you don't know what to undo.

Last resort take it by the shop.... (maybe a different one).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top