Recommended Tie-Down Straps for Eagle Boat Trailer & 2015 Alumacraft Competitor 165 Sport

Updated 05/03/2016 | Published 04/30/2016

Products Featured in This Question

CargoBuckle Mini G3 Retractable Ratchet Straps - Bolt On - 1" x 6' - 466 lbs - Qty 2

(162)

$69.54

Erickson Re-Tractable Ratchet Straps w/ Push Button Releases - 2" x 6' - 1,333 lbs - Qty 2

(1259)

$48.71

Erickson Ratchet Tie-Down Straps w/ Web Clamps and S-Hooks - 1" x 10' - 500 lbs - Qty 4

(90)

$30.60

Question:

I have a 2015 Alumacraft Competitor 165 Sport with 90hp motor and Eagle bunk trailer. I currently have BoatBuckle 1inch straps with orange handle. One of them broke at the end of the 1st season. Were these too small for my setup? What would you recommend I go with for my boat? It appears that the BoatBuckles are now black? If so, I would probably just want to replace them both so that they match. I would appreciate your recommendation. Thanks.

asked by: John A

Expert Reply:

Trailer cargo control tie-down straps should always be selected based on their working load limit (WLL), which is one-third of their actual break strength. You never want to exceed a strap's safe WLL in any application. CargoBuckle Cargo Tie Downs # IMF103745 have a WLL of 466-lbs each.

If one of these failed in your 2-strap set-up then I recommend adding more straps to better distribute the overall load. I recommend using four straps. You could use two sets of the Erickson Re-Tractable Ratchet Straps # 34414 (preferred) or their 4-piece set # EM31352.

expert reply by: Adam R