Securing your rib on the trailer??? - Page 2

jwalker · 18 June 2004, 00:21

After 7 years with ratchet straps on the same boat and no damage and no boat jumping up and down and not having a daytime evening problem and not loosing the boat off the trailer and not abrading the hypalon, I can only conclude; it aint what you do, it's the way that you do it.

Richard B · 18 June 2004, 00:28

probably more like clean air, JW!

Airbourne pollution means that you get dust and grit on the straps, it rubs between the strap and tube...

jwalker · 18 June 2004, 00:36

Mmmm, maybe but rubbing only occurs where the surfaces move differently to each other.

You do need, at least, the common sense not to put the ratchet against the tube. Lower or higher will do.

I'm trying to refrain from insulting folk! But it's very tempting.

nickjaxe · 18 June 2004, 17:31

Ok thanks for all the replys guys, I am going to try and sort out the straps to hold it down via the transom d-rings.

Regards Nick.

Red Fox · 18 June 2004, 20:12

Very sensible and the only way to do it if you want to keep rib and trailer together. Know a bloke who went over a pot hole at low speed, no rear strap-down, rib+40hp jumped off and got dragged along by the bow clip, nasty mess of the gel coat! At the end of the day use what you feel safest with, as long as your method cannot be used against you should the worst happen.

The Jackeens · 18 June 2004, 21:07

You could always insert holes through the hull exactly where the rollers are once the boat is fully up on the trailer. The boat will then "click" into position on the trailer and will not move anywhere !!!

Sorted

Paul

Richard B · 18 June 2004, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

You could always insert holes through the hull exactly where the rollers are once the boat is fully up on the trailer. The boat will then "click" into position on the trailer and will not move anywhere !!!

Sorted

Paul

No problem if you've got a RIBcraft... just remove the dome headed nut from the underside of the hull that holds the A-frame on, and re-attach once aligned with the Jackeen patented roller!!

Rogue Wave · 18 June 2004, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Was waiting for that... I thought Rougue wave would be the one, but he's been run out of town by the Ribeye posse

What an insult you nobbah....after 18 years on the road I would only ever use Gaffa tape and Belden cable.

For what it's worth I like your method but my problem has never been keeping the boat on the road trailer. it's keeping the trailer on the road

Richard B · 18 June 2004, 22:41

Jim Davidson (ex-ribsta!) is on BBC1 at the mo getting heckled by a Welsh audience...

Rogue Wave · 18 June 2004, 22:52

Tidy

Simon B · 19 June 2004, 10:38

Ratchet straps are OK unless you have a slow tube leak like our "mature" "classic" delta. One solution I saw which looked very neat was a reasonable sized bottle screw fron the bow D ring to a similar D ring on the winch post. Did think there wasnt any give in this arrangement though. Have also seen larger trailer-able (just) RIBs with twin bow D rings.

Tim M · 19 June 2004, 11:08

I never bother with a ratchet at the front, just at the back. Surely the winch will hold it in place (sure it could fail, but then I've had ratchets fail too)

I towed my RIB without any ratchets (just winch cable) once about 20 miles along a bumby road, and the boat stayed glued to the trailer.

swginn · 19 June 2004, 11:10

Ratchet strap through the two U bolts to the trailer. One strap at the bow holding the bow back and down so it doesn't want to jump up over the bow roller, this strap is also a failsafe in case the boat wants to go back as it is routed through a steel loop in the trailer and will only leave the bow slide back 2-3 inches. Winch strap and security rope at the front holding the bow forward also. Can never be too sure on Irish roads. Towed the RIB home from London to Pembroke and never heard a thing. 30 seconds on Irish roads and you could hear the trailer jumping!!

Never had any troubles towing like this, and my towing routes can sometimes resemble off road dirt tracks/ building sites!! In my opinion putting straps over tubes is a definite no-no!! The three strongest points on most RIBs are the 2 transom U bolts and the bow eye, so why not use them.

Richard B · 19 June 2004, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

I never bother with a ratchet at the front, just at the back. Surely the winch will hold it in place (sure it could fail, but then I've had ratchets fail too)

Tim, your winch ought to have a backup attachment - rope, chain or ratchet strap.

Quote:

I towed my RIB without any ratchets (just winch cable) once about 20 miles along a bumby road, and the boat stayed glued to the trailer.

Not clever. The consequences of something going wrong could be quite serious.

A few years ago my Dad was top bean counter for a transport company. One of their lorries transporting agricultural equipment had a ratchet strap fail. The arm of the equipment swung out over the opposite carriageway and decapitated a motorcyclist.

The directors of the company decided to pay the insurance claim immediately, directly to the bereaved family. My dad got the job of taking the cheque round to the bereaved relatives.

Red Fox · 19 June 2004, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

I towed my RIB without any ratchets (just winch cable) once about 20 miles along a bumby road, and the boat stayed glued to the trailer.

What glue would that be then?

Rogue Wave · 19 June 2004, 20:47

Re Glue It's certaly not eruldite

I think capt mainnering has a good method he has a big chain which is permanently attached to his trailer. when the boat goes on he pdlocks the chain to the d ring.. bot is secure from both theft and winch failure

Andy Beach · 20 June 2004, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel TD5

if you go over a bump its still the same pressure point if the boats fixed or not the loading would be the same on each roller

Dan

Not quite true. Having the boat firmly tied to the trailer means the cushioning effect of the suspension/tyres will decelerate the boat vertically less severely than the boat hitting the rollers AFTER they have slowed down but the boat hasn't. Remember how you were taught to catch a cricket ball by 'pulling' your hands away? Same effect. To get technical there's less 'g-force'. (Same reason why you should make sure your seatbelt has no slack - just for interest!!).

Andy

(ps. Occupation: Manager - Crash Testing)

Michaels · 22 June 2004, 00:03

I prefer straps around the tubes. But most of the time the craft is on water and not on the trailer.

Nick Hearne · 22 June 2004, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michaels

I prefer straps around the tubes. But most of the time the craft is on water and not on the trailer.

Why would you do that to your nice new rib, can you think of one good reason why you use this method?
Nick

Michaels · 22 June 2004, 11:30

Becuse it feels very secure and I anly have the RIB on a trailer once or twice a year - only moving it for some few kilometers everytime. It does not seem to "unlike" the strapping.