Trailer Tie Down Point Question

Soundguy · Apr 7, 2005

I agree with some of the others. i wouldn't put much faith in a tiedown just bolted to a deck plank.

Now if it went thru some metal.. that's a different story.

Soundguy

Soundguy · Apr 7, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Never particularly liked the surge brakes, but I figured I could live with them because of the good price on the trailer )</font>

Some people love them.. I don't

I know people that have had breaks fail on te tow vehicle, and actually used the trailer brakes to stop their truck.. kinda hard to do that with a surge brake! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Soundguy

RobertN · Apr 7, 2005

Is it a real stake pocket? My trailer has "C" channel welded in a few spots on the sides and front. It appears to be the same as the frame material.

I thought they were stake pockets at first; they do not fit 2x4's, nor the standard metal stake sides used on flatbed trucks. I believe now they are just solid mount chain points. They are thick steel; a chain hook "hooked" on them would not bend the material, even it was really cranked down on the chain.

Av8r3400 · Apr 7, 2005

Agreed. I hook grab hooks to them all the time and have never bent mine. That's what they are there for.

DirtHauler · Apr 7, 2005

Here's a pic of the "D" rings (one on each corner), 2x4 stake pocket and the 3/8" thick rub rail on my trailer. but this is a steel trailer, not sure how you'd put them on an aluminum one since you can't weld steel to aluminum.

Oh by the way, if any one knows somebody looking for a 7 x14 7000 lb. trailer out west here...........this one's for sale.

DirtHauler · Apr 7, 2005

And another view........

WHMOBX · Apr 7, 2005

With all this talk about straps failing I am beginning to get a little paranoid. I have a 22 foot trailer that I use to haul my tractor on, but I also use it to haul a 1946 Chevrolet 2 ton truck around on. My question is, if I switch from straps to chains how can I tie onto the truck? I currently use a nylon axle straps. Are they still a week point?

surfran · Apr 7, 2005

Thanks Dirthauler, I would love to have attach points like that. That looks like a nice trailer.

surfran · Apr 8, 2005

OK new question, what is everyones opinion on bolting grade 70 chain to the trailer framework? Will that we of sufficient strength assuming I use Grade 8 Bolts? I'm thinking of bolting about a 1' piece that would stay on the trailer always (at 4-6 locations) then just hook to that and the tractor with chains and binders I would keep in the toolbox.

This would eliminate the tie down points themselves but would essentially be the same general idea as bolting them through trailer frame.

Also is there an issue with material compatibility from the bolts and the aluminum framework?

Thanks,

DirtHauler · Apr 8, 2005

Bolting chain to the frame sounds like it may work but you must remember that chains and bolts are a "hard" steel and aluminum is a "soft" metal so you would still have to install a backing plate on the nut side, preferably a thicker piece of aluminum.

As for your question about "material compatibility", when ever you mate steel to aluminum, "electrolysis" will occur which causes the aluminum to corrode and weaken over time.

I looked at an all aluminum trailer to see how they mounted their "D" rings but being how their decks are all aluminum and they use stainless steel bolt-on recessed D rings which I don't think would work on yours.

Now thinking on your idea of bolting chain on, I was wondering if you could instead use after market tow hooks like the ones used on the front of 4x4 trucks etc. that way you could either use straps with a loop on one end or loop a chain and binder and you wouldn't have several loose hanging chain pieces. Just another idea. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif