Pontoon Boat Tie Downs on Boat Trailer

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Hi folks-

I've been around boats all of my life, however I've never had a pontoon boat up until this year (the wife convinced me that we needed to buy a Pontoon Boat, and I didn't think it was too bad of an idea). We ended up with a StarCraft Stardeck 216 StarLounger. I have the boat strapped to the front, and then a strap in the back of the boat on each side. My question is this- does anybody strap the front of their pontoon's to the trailer themselves? The boat seems to ride pretty well, but it moves a pinch more than I'm used to. Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Call me anally retentive, but I hook a backup strap from the trailer frame to the front of the boat.

But then I put up with 35 years of the DOT checking for "Secured Loads" and firmly believe in backups for everything.

So that's just me.

[Bryden24shp]

Yep, I ratchet strap my bow down to the trailer. I bolted 2 eyebolts underneath the bow on the crossmembers. Then ratchet strap to the inside frame of the trailer. Makes them trailer nice. I also ratchet strap the bow to the trailers bow stops, too. Takes the pressure off the bow strap. Actually, after cranking the boat on and securing the bow, I take the tension off the winch strap. I use heavy duty 3" ratchet straps. That self retract when you remove them. Been towing this way for years, back and forth to Lake of the Ozarks-Iowa. Makes towing more enjoyable without the boat bouncing around on the trailer.

[TDJ2591]

Same here. Two trailering straps on the rear and a ratchet strap from the bow eye to the trailer in the front in addition to the winch strap.

[JBO]

We use a winch strap, a ratchet strap on the front across the bow, and 2 transom tie downs.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I really appreciate the responses folks. If anybody can post some pictures of their setup that would really help.

[Bryden24shp]

I really appreciate the responses folks. If anybody can post some pictures of their setup that would really help.

I have some and I can post if I find my thumb drive!

[BobG]

I have some and I can post if I find my thumb drive!

Look at your hand.

Notice those four long wiggly parts.
Those are fingers. Ignore them.

Now, notice that shorter, fatter wiggly part.
That is your thumb.

Does that help?

[Bryden24shp]

BobG......

Here are some pics of my old Manny strapped to the trailer back in 2008. I do the Premier differently. I'll get some pics of it, later and post... I miss that ole boat!

[OK Toon]

I use 2 transom straps on the stern (although I need to mount eye bolts to the trailer to give a better place to attach to). I did add 2 eye bolts to the front of the trailer that I attach 2 transom straps to -- but I need to attach eye bolts to the cross pieces on the bolt instead of using the hook points on the tips of the toons.

[Littlehoe]

I have one of these bolted to the center rail on my trailer and it goes up to my center toons eye. On my old pontoon it went to the center loop just to hold the front end down. Its called a boat buckle, and works great.

[Drago]

I've used four straps when trailering any distance since near day one. They make the boat much more stable over the road.

[woolznaz]

Like the OP I did not like the bounce in the front of my boat when trailering either. We had two transom straps on the stern, but just the winch strap on the front. I found 3 more transom straps and just hook one on each pontoon and down to the trailer and no more bounce. They take about 20 seconds each to put on, so it's well worth it.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Thanks for the pictures guys. That gives me some good ideas!

[b52thomas]

Great posts and great ideas.... I think that you all have solved my problems... nothing better than learning from all of your experience.
Thanks,

Bill