walshie Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Here's my problem. The short bit of my ratchet strap is too long. When I clip it on the trailer, the ratchet presses against the side of the boat which isn't ideal. By wrapping it round the trailer several times, I can make it so the ratchet is clear of the boat, but it takes ages and lots of swearing to get it to the right length. I've also got a shorter one which is too long for the job, but too short to wrap round the trailer frame before using it. Is there a work round for this? I know you can just take the strap off the ratchet with a bolt, but is there somewhere you can buy a replacement short strap with the hook on? The blue strap in the blurry photo below is 9" long. Ideally it would be 6 or 7". Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 could you not cut it , and get someone with an industrial sew machine to re stitch it for you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 6 minutes ago, johnphilip said: could you not cut it , and get someone with an industrial sew machine to re stitch it for you . I always keep one of them in my suit jacket pocket 👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Undo the bolt, remove strap, replace bolt through hook. Don't cut the strap it can be put back to normal later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Just now, 12gauge82 said: I always keep one of them in my suit jacket pocket 👌 Well don't fall in the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, Centrepin said: Undo the bolt, remove strap, replace bolt through hook. Don't cut the strap it can be put back to normal later. My thoughts 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Assuming the blue loop has two separate 'holes' can you hitch it up a bit with a carabiner? not a great representation but you get my gist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 10 minutes ago, johnphilip said: Well don't fall in the water 😉🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Just undo the bolt through the bottom of the ratchet , and fasten it back on through the sewn loop near the hook , alternatively, post it here and my Mrs will shorten it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted September 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Some great ideas and offers there. Thanks. Not keen on the idea of cutting, but the caribiner and/or bolt and hook through the same hole are worth a go. i'll give it a bash tomorrow. Amazing what a fresh set of eyes on a problem can come up with. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 If it can be un bolted what about 2 D shackles, you will need 2 to bring it back to same orientation, you are possibly looking at 500kg looking at straps. No cutting and can always be put back as was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Heron Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Try Miller Web lift in Leek Staffordshire they can make anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sciurus Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Being tight-fisted, I have never bought a strap in my life, but I have a collection of about twelve. How? - simple, I keep my eyes open and pick them up from the road, where they have fallen off a lorry. Sometimes, the handles have been mangled but by cannibalising two or three, you can easily make a serviceable strap. All you need to do is spot a short strap, the hook is unlikely to be mangled. Industrial Estates are good hunting sites. That way, you can obtain a number of straps of varying lengths to suit different jobs/trailers. Happy hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuffy Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Get a spare hook , undo the bolt , slip the hook on the strap , bolt back in . Then put the original hook over the bolt - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decoy1979 Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 How about looking at it from another angle, can you change the anchor point on the trailer? A local garage or engineering/welding shop should be able to weld on a bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted September 20, 2020 Report Share Posted September 20, 2020 You could always just tie a knot in the strap 👍. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted September 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I took the bolt out and threaded it through the same loop as the hook. Now I just have a short tag of strap dangling that I can tuck into the ratchet. I could cut it off but this way I can use the ratchet as normal if required. Thanks for the ideas chaps. I do so love free solutions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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