last weekend I had my 3 horses tied to the outside of the trailer, one pulled back (barely) and suddenly the ring was attached by only the bottom bolt.   then I realized the damn thing wasn't even screwed into a supporting beam.   the trailer has 3 ties on that side,  the other 2 seem like they are in something solid.  I normally tie on the other side so hadn't noticed this before.   in the 30+ yrs. I've horses I always tie them to the trailer and occasionally (for reasons only known to them) they will pull back, rear, whatever.   but the rings have never broken or come loose.

I need the security of knowing the rings won't break or come off like this one did. 

this is a 1 ½ yr old  nice name brand trailer.  

anyone have any suggestions on how to bolt/screw something in securely?  thanks!

As you suggested, the rings have to be bolted or welded securely to the trailer's supporting structure, to achieve their greatest strength. If they are fastened to only the sheet metal, they can easily be pulled out. Most tie rings are added after the skin is applied to the framework. It would be very easy for a worker to partially miss a stud or stringer, when he drilled the locating holes. If you tap the trailer's siding with the handle of a screw driver, you can easily locate the underlying construction. Often times the siding seams will also be located over the framing.

Do not fasten a tie ring with a rivet nut (rivnut)

Gard

I believe I would be calling R&R and Lakota.... Take lots of pictures for the insurance man.

Most of the rings are cast aluminum and are designed to break or give when excessive pressure is applied.  If the ring breaks it's easier to replace than if you pull the bolts through the wall.  Buy a new ring and re bolt it to the wall.

I would worry if the ring was NOT through a metal stud though.  they will pull through the aluminum skin very easily

]Sorry, I may have mis typed my first post.   The ring didn't break  -it actually pulled the top bolt thru the aluminum.  and Merlin barely pulled back.    Surely not my defination of  exerting excessive pressure.  I tie my horses and expect them to stay tied.  period.  Luckily this happened in a safe place and the horse didn't even get loose but what if I'd had him tied at a busy truck stop or along side the road?  or out in the forest w/ thousands of acres to get loose on?  all of which I've done before and never had a problem.   What bothers me is the way the ring was just screwed thru the aluminum and not into anything solid. 

Shame on me for not realizing that before I tied him but hell do I need to take a stud finder to the thing first or what?  Seems like the trailer company should have the sense to plan better.

Yep, they'll be hearing from me soon!

Yes, I agree. The trailer company should never place rings on just aluminum sheeting. There needs to be some sort of backing or they will pull through.

That's why most rings are located between the windows. Since there is usualy a metal stud placed between each window.

Good luck with your repair.