The reason you should use transom straps!

[slvrlng]

This was posted a couple of years ago but I couldn't find the working link. Just thought this was a funny pic.

[Blue Agave]

I guess that pickup just couldn't dodge that pole ahead or that boat from the rear.

[wingtime]

Judging by the damage to the trailer I think most of the transom straps you see in the store would have failed.   But good point!  I think in most cases for transom straps keeping the boat on the trailer we all think of just the boat falling off the trailer or tipping off of it.  Having a collision such as that or a head on is a whole different scenario.

[icemanbryan]

Its not one of those new car boats?

[seabob4]

Its not one of those new car boats?

Sure, drive on in the lake until truck is submerged, hop on out, climb in the boat, and off you go!!


How we used to secure boats to trailers at Proline.  Seems like a bit of overkill, but...

Ratcheting tie-downs at each corner of the transom, stern eyes to the trailer.  Forward, winch strap, of course.  Then, from the bow eye, ratcheting tie-down going aft to a trailer cross member, ratcheting tie-down going forward to the base of the winch stand.  Our boats were't going anywhere except where we wanted them to go...

[John Jones]

Back in the 80's a bass fishing buddy of mine t-boned   someone that ran a stop sign.  His Skeeter came through the back window of his pickup.  It broke his neck and smashed his face against the steering wheel.  He is a quadriplegic because of it.

I have a chain with a forged S-hook from the frame to the bow eye with just enough slack to hook it once the winch is tight and a 10,000 lb. rated ratchet strap frame to frame across the back.

[Circle Hooked]

And another good reason, in most places it is the Law, try not using them in the Keys, instant ticket if a LEO see's you.

[wingtime]

Seabob,  Actually that's not overkill,  that is probably a very realistic way secure the trailer to the boat.  I say trailer to the boat because if done properly the trailer and boat should act like a single unit.  ie if the boat flips the trailer flips with it and so on.

[wingtime]

I was just towing my 200XF up to my workshop tonight to make room in my storage lot for Reel Crazy.  Some bonehead in a blue sedan decided to pull out in front of me...  All I saw was his drivers side door about 50' in front of me!     I had a line of cars on my left and trees on my right..  All I could do is push as hard as I could on the brake pedal...  I felt the anti-lock brakes kick in and I was amazed at how fast my super duty was able stop the load and stay under control.   I didn't even have time to hit the horns...  but once I stopped I let him have the train horns!   :twisted:     Thank gosh I had stepped up the size of my transom straps after reading this thread a while back.    I don't know how the guy in the car behind me didn't eat the skeg of my outboard...  I could tell by his headlights he was REALLY close to my boat!  Nothing like the feeling you get when you come down off that adrenalin rush!

[seabob4]

Life in Florida, Bruce...

Going down 19 one day, about 10:30 AM, beautiful sunny spring day, see flashing red/blues in the southbound lanes...old lady has just CREAMED the back end of a loaded dump truck...old lady's Crown Vic is totaled on the front end, truck has virtually no damage...

What, she didn't see him?

Brain dead effin idiots!!!

[Circle Hooked]

For some reason i get more people that pull out in front of me when I'm pulling a trailer then when I'm not  

[seabob4]

For some reason i get more people that pull out in front of me when I'm pulling a trailer then when I'm not  

They like to see the look of sheer panic on your face...  

[Aswaff400]

For some reason i get more people that pull out in front of me when I'm pulling a trailer then when I'm not  

i have the same thing happen to me all the time

the fix for that:
drive around with a wrecked front bumper, or no bumper at all... once they see that banged up front end they know your not afraid to run them over so they quickly get out of your way!    

i think its in the same DNA area of when you hear a shot gun get pumped  ill have to look into it...

[200CCPMerc200]

For some reason i get more people that pull out in front of me when I'm pulling a trailer then when I'm not  

'Cause your driving more defensively than normal.