Recommended Support Plate for the Brophy D-Ring Tie Down # SR15-C

Updated 07/09/2013 | Published 07/08/2013

Question:

I have very little metal to mount tie-downs to one side only would fit the edges. I dont see any custom made backing plates for these D-rings - I bought 1.5inch washers to put under the wood. So, with the 3/8inch carriage bolts going through the floor planks, these 1.5inch washers, lock washers, and nuts, would this provide sufficient support on a new trailer floor for a single 700lb ATV? Do you sell a plate to fit these? Ive had people tell me never mount to the wood, but I dont have much of an option since the manufacturer Paiute only provided 2x4 stake rings around the outer sides of the frame.

asked by: Dave

Helpful Expert Reply:

What you have heard is correct, you do not want to mount tie downs to the wood floor of a trailer without any type of reinforcement. The tie down will only be as strong as the weakest component and the wood floor of a trailer would be the weakest component.

I spoke with my contact at Brophy and she told me that they do not have a recommended backing plate that will work with this tie-down, but if I were installing this on my trailer, I would use something larger than 1-1/2 inch washers. It would be ideal to bolt the tie-down rings to the trailer frame through the floor. If that is not an option, then I would use a 5 inch x 5 inch square steel plate that is between 1/16 of an inch and 1/8 of an inch thick. These can be found at most hardware stores.

expert reply by: John H