Winch Strap Broke

[Bud Kennedy]

Just never gave it a thought.  The winch is about 5 years old and I never considered that the strap would rot and break.

Picked up the boat at the storage lot this morning and as I was driving towards the gate, I could hear the boat rattle on the trailer.  Stopped and had a look and discovered the strap had broken in two.  Did a Mcgiver repair and brought the boat home (about 2 miles)  and did a more permanent job on the strap until I can get out and do a whole new one.  It is now secure but I still think a new replacement is in order.  I guess this falls into the category of items that you just don't think about.

[Lipripper]

Glad you caught it before you were going down the road at 60 MPH 

[Mike Cork]

It's always best to have a full length strap. Only because, god lord forbidding, you have motor trouble. A long strap can reach further down the trailer to the boat. But in reality we don't ever use but a couple feet.

I'd make sure I had enough strap to reach the boat if I had to use a trolling motor full speed to load. Next time out idle towards the trailer and put it in neutral. Where ever the boat settles, make sure you have enough strap to reach the bow hook.

Thanks for sharing  this is one of those things that unchecked could be disastrous if it fail when in dire need.

[Bud Kennedy]

I most always power load and usually drive the boat up till it hits the bumper then hook up the strap.  I did not lose any real length for my temp repair.  Only about 6"  Most likely will put on a 20' strap the one that was on the fulton winch was only 15'.  I certainly have plenty of room on the spool so that won't be a problem.

[Oldfart9999]

Glad you caught it before something worse happened. If you ever have to load with your trolling motor be absolutely sure you get the tm up before you get to first cross brace. Don't ask how I know.
Rodney

[Bud Kennedy]

I did have to load with the trolling motor when my motor blew up.  Not something I want to make a practice of doing.

[Donald Garner]

Glad to hear you were able to fix it.  Yep nothing but headaches trying to winch up the boat on a short strap.

[bassadict69]

Mine broke a couple months ago during a trip to Toledo Bend. The stitching had finally dry rotted and gave way after about 17 years...like most, I never thought to check it!

[cojab]

Mine broke a couple months ago during a trip to Toledo Bend. The stitching had finally dry rotted and gave way after about 17 years...like most, I never thought to check it!

Yep, me too. Kinda scary when I noticed it about 20 minutes from the lake and 20 minutes from home.

[tooboocoo]

This brings up a question I've been pondering for a while now.  My RangerTrail has a strap with two hooks.....one for winching the boat, the other as a safety hook.  When your strap breaks, you lose both these hooks, so why would I replace it with the same thing?  I'm thinking of a one hook strap and a safety chain on the trailer post.  Any body else do this?   

[West6550]

The safety one is for if the winch gives out or you forgot to lock the winch.

[Pferox]

I had the safety chain on my Flair and liked it. It gives you a sense of security when driving down the highway.