How to Connect 55-Gallon Drums to My Swim Platform

Getting your new swim platform out in the water is one of the most important things to do in the early summer. Securing the 55-gallon float drums to the swim platform is one of the last steps in getting the platform ready to go. There are several do-it-yourself ways to connect them, but using steel cable coupled with U-bolts will assure that your floats don't detach and leave your platform at the bottom of the lake.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 ratcheting load binders
  • 100 feet of steel cable
  • Cable cutters
  • 4 U-bolts with hex nuts
  • Wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Flip over your swim platform so that the underside is face up.

    • 2

      Slip the ratcheting load binders through the bottom support beams of the platform 3 feet in from each of the four corners.

    • 3

      Place the 55-gallon drums over the ratcheting straps and ratchet to secure them one at a time. These temporary binders can be left in place or removed after the steel cable is in place.

    • 4

      Cut eight 10-foot sections of steel cable with cable cutters.

    • 5

      Wrap a steel cable around the barrel 4 inches in from the end so that the ends come together near the platform frame. Thread them through a U-bolt, pull the cable tight and tighten the U-bolt until there is no play in the line. Repeat this for the other end of the barrel. Follow the same procedure to tighten each barrel in place.

    • 6

      Flip the platform back over and put it out in the water to enjoy.