Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

[Dante04SRT]

My trailer looks like this in the rear:

Notice, no transom tie down hooks... Rather than wrap my tiedowns around the frame everytime, I'd like to install some eye hooks for easier tie down attachment.

If I attach something like this:

#1: Will it be safe or will it compromise the trailer's structure?

#2: Since the trailer is aluminum, what is the best material for these eye-bolts to be made from? (Zinc coated, forged ?, any?)

Any other ideas? I've looked for something that will clamp onto the trailer rather than be drilled through it but can't find anything quite right.

 

[Mwp909]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

If I were going to do that I think I would get 4 pieces of channel iron (2 for each tie down). Drill 2 holes through each and sandwich them around your trailer (at the location you want) with stainless U-bolts. You could paint the channel iron with rustoleum then chrome paint. It wouldn?t look bad. This way your not drilling into your trailer.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

I added some stainless eyes to my aluminum trailer. (see link for example) Put something to electrically isolate them from the trailer frame if you use it in salt water though.

http://www.bosunsupplies.com/products2.cfm?product=S3704-5

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

I wouldn't drill my trailer to install something that could bruise or otherwise injure me or someone else if there's another option...like wratchet tie down straps with hooks on both ends. Just my 2 cents.

 

[109jb]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

The picture shows an eye in it already. Right above the tail light. Its facing fore-aft so is aligned with the view, but its there. Look at the trailer next to it, just above the bow stop in the foreground and you can see it.

Also, its an I-beam trailer, so if you want one in another spot, just drill a hole and stick one in there. Its not like a box beam trailer where you can't get to the nut on the back side.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

I wouldn't drill my trailer to install something that could bruise or otherwise injure me or someone else if there's another option...like wratchet tie down straps with hooks on both ends. Just my 2 cents.

Injure someone? I'm looking to add two eye bolts so that I can use a tie down strap with hooks on both ends.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

The picture shows an eye in it already. Right above the tail light. Its facing fore-aft so is aligned with the view, but its there. Look at the trailer next to it, just above the bow stop in the foreground and you can see it.

Also, its an I-beam trailer, so if you want one in another spot, just drill a hole and stick one in there. Its not like a box beam trailer where you can't get to the nut on the back side.

The eye thats already there is not going to work for my boat. My transom tie down eyes on that back of the boat are far more centered under the swim platform.

 

[AZMinyard]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

Have you checked around with local fabricating/welding shops to see what they would charge to weld a couple tabs on? Might be worth a call or two. I couldn?t pull up the image, but I?m sure it could be done.

My SWAG opinion is that a hole drilled through aluminum with anything harder than aluminum through it will eventually round out the hole and come loose. Also, I-beams are meant to have all of their force applied top and bottom, not to the rib. I would think that altering this approach could result in failure during a crash.

I could be way off base here, but just some thoughts. Commenting seemed like a much more entertaining use of my time than, oh, doing work or something . . .

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

For some reason, the link no longer works - Here's another pic thats close to mine. I cant get any actual pics of mine until Monday, cause the boat's still in Florida til then.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

I think I would try something similar to the "Bow eye turnbuckle tiedown kit" on the left side of this champion trailer page:

http://www.championtrailers.com/catalog pdf/PAGE 21 TIEDOWNS.pdf

Put a couple on the back crossmember of the trailer where ever you need them.

 

[Dante04SRT]

Re: Adding eye hooks to my trailer for transom tie downs...

That could work - I may have to buy one to see if its what I need.