Otter Tow Bar on a Clam Fishtrap

[NCLaker]

I am using an Otter tow bar for my Otter Lodge. I also have a Clam FT Pro, and would like to use the Otter tow bar for it instead of buying the seperate bar for it from Clam.

Anyone ever do this? If so, what did you use for brackets on the Clam FT and were did you get it? I checked multiple hardware stores and Northern Tool and couldn't find anything that I liked.

I am thinking of calling Clam to order just the mounting brackets for their tow bar - does anyone know if the Otter tow bar will work with the Clam tow bar brackets??

Thanks!

[broman]

I just put on the otter bar this week on my Clam Yukon. I bought it because it was on sale and I liked the spring that they use. Since they don't come with mounts I made my own mounts with some angled pieces of steel. I drilled holes in them so that the pins would fit through and smaller holes on the other end of the angle to put bolts through and into the tub. Before mounting to the tub I used 1x4's on the outside and inside of the tub to create a solid surface to mount the angle pieces on so that the angled steel wouldn't pull through the tub if it got jerked around (like if you hit a snow bank or some ice chunk).

If I remember I'll take a pic of my setup tomorrow and post it.

[broman]

Sorry about the quality. Used my phone.

[NCLaker]

Thanks Broman ... great job on the mod. So do you feel that only having a only one metal lip on one side of the bar is strong enough to support the stresses of pulling?

I had considered using the same type of bracket since they are pretty easy to find, but preferred to find some form of bracket that would wrap around both sides of the bar. This type of bracket is proving to be more difficult to find.

[hunter101]

That is a great mod and imho i would say thats plenty strong enough.

[broman]

I have yet to try it out. But I had to pound the metal into the L shape with a hammer while in a vise. So, it's pretty solid.

I had thought putting the strap you see to the inside instead (ie. to the left of the tow bar) and putting a second one on to the right. But there really isn't much room unless you get a wider strap so that you can put two bolts into it vertically (which would work). Or I could have put another strap down the side of the tub and out to the front to attach while also moving the strap you see to the inside. But, ultimately, what I used is what I had laying around the garage. I rounded the corners of the strap and the ends of the bolts so they weren't sharp and wouldn't catch my canvas.

I think it will be fine since the hitch swings left and right and up and down which prevents most of the stress. I also have the same 1x4 on the inside of the tub.