Winch + safety chain?

[DaveM]

I had an interesting discussion with a guy who told me to get a safety chain for the front of the boat instead of relying on the trailer winch. My setup never had a safety chain and there is very little clearance for an additional hook through the boat's front eye loop. <br /><br />I was wondering, do most boat/trailer combos have a safety chain?<br /><br />BTW - My boat is 2600+ lbs dry and the trailer has bunks instead of rollers.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

i use a bungie strap on the front of my boat also.though the eye to the winch post.i have been to the boat ramp and seen my strap winch lose. but i also use a ratching strap from the trailer over the back of the boat to the other side of the trailer.i only have a 12 foot aluminum boat but i dont want to lose it off the trailer.they are very light.

 

[JB]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

I never depend on the winch to hold the boat while trailering, JCD.<br /><br />I use a turnbuckle to hold her, in addition to transom tiedowns. If there was not room in the bow eye for both the winch hook and the turnbuckle I would take the winch strap off.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

Always use a safety chain or one day you may <br />loose your boat and possibly cause an accident.

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

I use a safety chain with a stainless steel quick link to hold it to the bow eye. Easy to get on and off with the quick link and it is smaller than another hook.

 

[mvaughn]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

I use a saftey chain, and a nylon strap with a loadbinder(rod saver) to keep constant tension on the boat. It does take a bit to get them both in there, but better safe than sorry!

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

Yep safety chain all the way. Better safe than sorry

 

[DaveM]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

Yup, that's what I thought. Kind of make a guy wonder why it didn't come with a safety chain.<br /><br />I like the turnbuckle idea--I used one to hold an old CJ5 body to the frame once upon a time. I'm not quite sure what a stainless steel quick link is. Do I find one at the local Home Depot?

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

You will probably can find a stainless quick link at home depot. I know most hardware stores carry them or where they sell chain by the ft.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

Some locales require a safety chain or cable. Most newer trailers come with a chain.<br />My boat tends to lift and bounce a bit. So I added my spare transom tiedown, which connects to the trailer tongue. Strap-chain-tiedown.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

That turnbuckel is a good idea. Thanks

 

[jeffnoh]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

Be sure to check the loading capacity of the chains, quick links and turnbuckles you use!

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Winch + safety chain?

Up here in Ontario Canada it is required to have the safety Chains or Bow tie downs, Transom tiedowns are also required. The Highway Rangers here do a safety blitz just about every holiday long weekend ,they check our trailers for any defects such as rotted tires , broken springs etc.