Trailer Bow Tie Down

[leeccoll]

Passing on info to others. I never tied down the bow of my Venture roller trailer when transporting. I have been in contact with Dennis Johnston at Venture Trailers because of my issues loading my 228. I sent him some pictures of my trailer, and he made some suggestions from what he observed.

I remember some previous Great Grady discussions about this. I think Ky Grady said he was uncomfortable with his 228 bouncing around so he has a tie down~smart man!

Dennis e mailed me:
"Also make sure you start incorporating a proper Bow Tie Down (separate from the winch line and chain) (example attached). This added tie down takes stress off the winch, winch stand and limits the bow from bouncing up and down which really can fatigue the metal components of the trailer."

He told me it's more important for roller trailers but those that use bunks should incorporate a tie down as well. This directive comes from the National Association of Boat Trailer Manufacturers, not any single brand.

So guess what I am buying next

 

[DennisG01]

Also... make sure the bow eye is tucked tightly up underneath the bow roller. That also prevents the bow from bouncing - I'm always surprised at how many customer's trailers I see where it isn't snugged up.

 

[Fishtales]

^^^ is a good tip for those that trailer.

 

[Ky Grady]

Looking at your pics with the clean bottom thread, you can drop your winch stand down the post to where the bow roller will be right above the bow eye like what Dennis is talking about. I see you have a tie down point like me on the winch post plate. That's where I attached my bow tie down strap on mine.

 

[glacierbaze]

Your winch strap is already pulling slightly down on the bow. Sliding the winch down the post far enough to tuck that bow eye under the roller would greatly increase that downward pull, and might make the last few feet a tough pull on some ramps.
I would keep a level pull on the strap, and cut the roller bracket off at the top, and drill another hole for the roller bolt. That would mean that the boat would come forward several inches, or the whole winch post will have to slide aft several inches, depending on how the boat is balanced on the trailer.

 

[Ky Grady]

Good point glacier. That is a solution too.

But to avoid cutting anything, slide the winch down and pull out all the strap and rewind the strap back on the drum to come over the top of the winch. I went back and looked at pictures of mine and the winch strap is on top of winch drum, been that way since new when I bought my trailer. If the balance is good, you'll still need to adjust the post also to keep your distance correct.

 

[leeccoll]

Thank you Ky and glacier,

Good catch!

I moved the front wobble roller assemblies closer together 4 days ago while the boat was off of it in the shop, as per suggestion of Dennis Johnston at Venture Trailer.

I believe that changed the height of the bow as it rests on the trailer. Mr. Johnston wanted the bow to sit higher to compensate for the problems I was having with launching and loading.

So this makes sense, I don't know if or when I would have caught it, so thanks once again gentlemen!

I'll get moving on this today, boats in front of casa, awaiting a nasty 2020 HOA letter in the mailbox.

 

[glacierbaze]

Yes, over the top with the strap, I did not see that. That also gives you a clockwise handle rotation, which to me is a better power stroke for winching the boat on the trailer. You could also use a longer strap, to fill up the winch drum, and raise the height of the strap another inch or so. But, that also introduces more stretch, and changes the gearing a little bit, if the boat is hard to winch on as it is.
A word of caution to anyone interested. My greatest fear when operating the winch, is that something will slip or give way, and that handle will take my head off. Looks like you have a similar two speed winch, which also has the slot for the handle where it is completely disengaged. Anytime I have to lean in, to do something like clip or unclip the safety chain, I try to always remember to put that handle out of gear.

 

[seasick]

I have had the handle spin wildly and luckily I was not holding it or near it. It can break your arm.

 

[leeccoll]

Glacier,

My handle does crank in clockwise. From the bottom position.

I'm curious if I switch it to the top of the drum will it now be a counter clockwise? Maybe that's why it was set up that way??

I will have to wait until Monday to mess with it. A few higher priority projects already underway until then, plus I will have a buddy to help me.

Edit: Just ran the math in my head, if I switch to top of drum I would indeed be cranking in counter clockwise. Maybe my winch was designed for south of the equator
I'm going to talk with Venture Trailers and see what light they can shed...

More to come.

 

[leeccoll]

Installed a BoatBuckle G2 stainless tie down today that bolts to the trailer. Pretty cool set up.

Adjusted the bow roller so it's close to the bow eye.

Tomorrow I'll call Venture Trailer and discuss my winch strap being on the bottom, but cranking it in is a clockwise rotation.

Oh, yeah other thing suggested to me is to have height of trailer ball between 33-34" from the ground. Mine was 31" so I reversed the hitch ball position.
Now its 33.5" off the ground to the top of the ball on my truck.

Tongue weight seems pretty balanced still, but will confirm with a scale.

 

[DennisG01]

The important thing about tongue height is not the height, itself. However, that 30-some inches sounds AWFUL high. Typically it would be something like 20". What you need to check, though, is that when hooked up to the truck that the frame is level. That way the load is equalized on both axles and the surge brakes will work their best.

On the bow eye thing... Just do like suggested above: Lower the winch stand so the bow roller touches the bow eye and flip the strap.

 

[Fishtales]

I like the way it holds the bow. Does the boat feel better on the trailer when towing?

 

[glacierbaze]

I looked at my boat this week-end, and have exactly the same set up as you, as far as the equipment, and my roller is in exactly the same place, but I only trailer 200 yards to the ramp.
Except, my strap is over the top, and I winch on clockwise. Maybe it just depends on whether the lever is up or down. IIRC, that lever will engage in both up or down position, and neutral is in the middle. Let out some slack, and see if it will crank on counter clockwise, with the lever in the opposite position. You may have to take the pawl off, and turn it around, but it will crank clockwise over the top.

EDIT: Here is another thought. That is a two speed winch, and I only use one. Does the handle turn in the same direction in both gears, or does shifting introduce another gear into the works, and reverse the handle?
I think that's the answer. Watch this video I just found of a 2 speed Fulton turning in opposite directions.

 

[leeccoll]

The important thing about tongue height is not the height, itself. However, that 30-some inches sounds AWFUL high. Typically it would be something like 20". What you need to check, though, is that when hooked up to the truck that the frame is level. That way the load is equalized on both axles and the surge brakes will work their best.

On the bow eye thing... Just do like suggested above: Lower the winch stand so the bow roller touches the bow eye and flip the strap.

Dennis, this is my turn to say "my bad". I meant to say it was suggested to me the top of the ball is 23-24" with the towing vehicle freestanding-no boat on it. Mine was at 21", so when reversed the ball and hitch I was at 23.5".

Then when the trailer was loaded onto my ball (that part sounds kinda creepy) the height was 21" close to what you said.

And of course I had the bow tucked in close on my initial adjustment, but it looked looked too close (i am sure after a few years I was used to seeing the distance further apart) so I moved it. Not a big deal to change it back to tucked in. That's just Murphy's Law.

 

[leeccoll]

I like the way it holds the bow. Does the boat feel better on the trailer when towing?

Yes!! I have a confirmation from my friend who is kindly letting me do some work on my Grady at his house. He was in the passenger seat yesterday while we towed the boat 30 mins to his house, and he said there wasn't any bounce coming from bow like before. Solid improvement~ thanks!

 

[leeccoll]

I looked at my boat this week-end, and have exactly the same set up as you, as far as the equipment, and my roller is in exactly the same place, but I only trailer 200 yards to the ramp.
Except, my strap is over the top, and I winch on clockwise. Maybe it just depends on whether the lever is up or down. IIRC, that lever will engage in both up or down position, and neutral is in the middle. Let out some slack, and see if it will crank on counter clockwise, with the lever in the opposite position. You may have to take the pawl off, and turn it around, but it will crank clockwise over the top.

EDIT: Here is another thought. That is a two speed winch, and I only use one. Does the handle turn in the same direction in both gears, or does shifting introduce another gear into the works, and reverse the handle?
I think that's the answer. Watch this video I just found of a 2 speed Fulton turning in opposite directions.

I'll be working on the boat tomorrow, thank you for the research. I'm not sure till I see it in person. Honestly I drive the boat back on the trailer slowly using the main engine as thrust after fishing and only need to crank it a foot or two to tighten it up to the eye. I'll post what I find out tomorrow. Im curious about all this stuff I never gave any thought to before.
Thanks Glacier!