www.iFourWinns.com

My factory Four Winns trailer has fixed tie downs. Nice feature at first, but now, both of them SUCK! I think the internal spring mechanism broke which doesn't allow the rachet straps to tighten down. Does anyone know how to fix them??? Thanks in advance.

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2008 H220 Frenzy - 5.7L VP SX Drive
2013 Tahoe LTZ Tow Vehicle (admiral's ride)
2011 Ford F150 XLT Ecoboost Tow Vehicle

Are they Boat Buckles Brand? Just buy new ones and replace them.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Mine are the same way...hardly retract. In fact...thanks for the reminder. I am going to get under there and check them out, as there surely is something I can lube up to make them retract better.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

These are like seat belts. Put the handle in the release mode and pull the strap all the way out, gently allow the strap to get drawn back in, when it stops going in on it's own pull it out again but only about six inches. Eventually the whole strap will be inside the mechanism now when you pull out the strap it will preload the spring. It's important to not just let the strap go when you detach from the hull, control the re-entry and you shouldn't have any future problems.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I had both of mine replaced last year under warranty because they quit working then one of them started acting up again this year so I took a much closer look at the mechanisim and found that there is a problem with the metal bar that is spring loaded and catches on the teeth as you tighten the straps, it sometimes gets just a little bit crooked and won't allow the mechanisim to work properly. If you figet with the handle a little and look closely at that metal bar (don't know how else to describe it) just make sure it sitting horrizontally in the ratchet mechanisim and that it drops all the way back down or the straps don't retract correctly. I hope this makes a tiny bit of sense.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Thanks for the helpful advice, however, both tie downs are still not working. I treated them like seatbelts and even managed to keep the metal piece horizontal but to no avail. Therefore, I purchased aftermarket manual tie-downs instead. If I had Four Winns dealer nearby, I would simply have them fix it under warranty. Oh well. Who said owning a boat was inexpensive???

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2008 H220 Frenzy - 5.7L VP SX Drive
2013 Tahoe LTZ Tow Vehicle (admiral's ride)
2011 Ford F150 XLT Ecoboost Tow Vehicle