The Best Boat Trailer Tie Downs of 2021

Best Boat Trailer Tie Downs Buying Guide & Reviews of 2020

Having a top-quality trailer alone can’t secure your boat from sliding back and forth or bouncing up and down over rough terrains; you need other accessories as well. If you don’t have such accessories, no one can guarantee the life of your boat. Securing your boat on the water and on the road are two different aspects, as they both follow different mechanisms. On the trailer, you need sturdy boat trailer tie-downs to ensure the protection of your boat.

The market is stacked with different types and styles of tie-downs, and it really worrisome for you to finalize one among a plethora. This succinct guide will help you to choose the suitable one for your trailer and boat.

Types of Boat Trailer Tie Downs

Boat trailer tie-downs are primarily classified into three based on the type of Buckle: Cam Buckle, Ratchet Straps, and Retractable Ratchet Straps.

Cam Buckle Boat Trailer Tie Downs Straps: The basic type that demands the feeding of the end of the tie-down strap through the buckle and tightens it by pulling. You have to ensure the teeth of the buckle are angled so you can tighten the strap easily. Toothless straps are also available but not perfect for boats.

Ratchet Straps: Ratchet straps provide more security and convenience than the cam buckle, as it is easier to tighten, holds better, and allows you to get the strap tighter. To tighten, you open the ratchet and pull the loose end of the strap through it until you’re sure that the strap is tight. Then you close the ratchet and open and close it continuously.

Retractable Ratchet Straps: The most advanced and widely used one. You can just pull out how much you want to tighten the strap. You can adjust the tightness quite easily.

Things to Consider While buying the Boat Trailer Tie Downs

Always Buy Two

Keeping your boat needs more assistance, as you imagine. It’s not a good choice to buy just a single strap. Always buy two to tie the boat on the trailer at both ends. It will provide a static position to the boat and secure without fail.

Breaking Strength

You may get straps with different breaking strengths. You don’t need to choose one with the highest strength. You just need to choose what is suitable for your boat and trail, and it is directly proportional to the weight of your boat. It is always recommended to choose a break strength that exceeds the weight of the trailer.

Length of the Strap

Length of the strap should be ideal as it reaches two ends of the tie-down points. It should not be lengthier or shorter than you actually need. To a certain extent, you can tighten the straps using buckle, but if it is too lengthy, it will be a tiresome job. So, you have to measure the tie-down length when your boat is on the trailer.

Functionality of Hooks

For tie down straps, we can see two types of straps; S hooks and Double J Hooks: Both hooks are suitable for most of the anchors. As the name suggests, they are in S and J shapes. The S hook will be parallel to the strap; at the same time, J-hook demands 90-degree vertical to the strap. It is crucial to check its power. Additionally, you can ensure security by choosing straps with safety latches. This type gives more protection than the standard hooks.

Protection from Scratches

The buckle always presses against the boat and results in producing scratch on your boat. It happens only because you don’t check the buckle before you buy. Consider the buckle made of plastic and protected with a pad. There is no scope from scratch if it is covered with a pad.

Price

Price can be varied based on the type of tie-down strap. The cam buckle straps are the cheapest among the three. It ranges from $15-$25. At the same time, the ratchet tie down’s price is a bit higher, more than $30. But you will get it below $45. The price of advanced retractable ratchet strap goes beyond $50.

Conclusion

You should always be equipped with the best boat trailer tie-down to ensure the safety of your boat on the road. To get the top-notch strap, you can confidently follow this guide and our list of top 10 boat trailer tie-downs.