WranglerX
Super Member
Not "U" bolts.... 5/8 bar stock heated and bent around a section of pipe to create the "U" shape....That looks nice. U-Bolts? You can also purchase weld-on tie downs that pivot up and down.
I always like the bed to be flat so stuff can overhang a bit. Usually in front or in the rear, but occasionally I'll get a pallet that will barely overhang the side.
My trailer has a paucity of tie downs. I use the stake pockets (channel iron) quite a bit. One of my first mods on the trailer was to round all the corners of the stake pockets to be safe for ratchet straps. Ratchet straps can also simply hook over the channel iron.
Everything (including my winch) gets chain hooks, so no hook latches. I usually pull enough chain through the pocket to hook the chain back onto itself. My tractor bucket also has chain hooks welded to it, but unfortunately the shape was wrong and they're a pain to use (probably cut down chain hooks). I need to cut them off someday and put weld on type hooks.
I actually use 4 ratchet straps (2,500lb working load - 10,000 burst) left over from race car days and tie down to chassis points....