Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I have a g3, the 4 bolts on one side of the tow bar that were screwed in the floor (plywood I guess) have loosened(sp) up, I triwed screw bac in but they not catch hold, I do not see a way to get any type bolts with nuts on them because the aluminum is to close to get wrench in., Any suggestions?

Can you get to the bottom side or is there under skin in the way ? Could you use a carriage bolt with a fender washer on the back ? A picture would help me understand and give better advice !

My towbar was not designed specifically for my toon. (Bought it off Craigslist.) But it was the right size. I drilled through the motor pod and through bolted it with all 3/8" SS hardware. Note the homemade backing plate to distribute the substantial load.



from below

Without pics, I can't really help either.
I built the one on our toon, and it's held up great for the past 3 years. I have 6 bolts that bold down to the motor pod.

I will try get to lake and get picture, Thanks for all replies.

A couple of things comes to mind:

the backing plate really isn't passing the load, it is more for the nut to grab on. Try angle or some structural material to pass the load up to the frame(crossmembers) of the frame.

I will catch some slack for this, but I would definitely use a stronger grade hardware, Grade 8. The bolts are a little less likely to give under load, I would even use a std bolt,( if it was my only option in grade , but they are meant to hold their load in line with them, the torque load what is hurting you, maybe a local welding shop could attach something else to transfer the torque load to the frame.