Chinook RV

The two rubber "spring" straps are starting to show stress tears, and I'm concerned that eventually the tension won't be enough to hold the clamp down onto the bumper. Has anyone secured the clamp with some kind of screw down apparatus.
I'm thinking of drilling through the clamp and bumper and just bolting it fixed in position.

Whatever you do, just make sure it is easy to lower the bracket. Maybe using wingnuts or winged bolt will help if you go with the bolting route.

I think if you inspect the straps regularly, it should be fine since there are two of them. Even if both are gone, the gravity will likely keep the bracket locked. Maybe put a zip tie around it if you worry, and some are reusable, so you don't have to cut them everytime.

I know some people who drove away without locking the closet and the tire bracket was down. The only thing happened is some missing items from the closet, and a slight bent on the bolt that goes across the bracket as well as some very minor paint chip. The tire were still there.

I've noticed a local hardware store carries scraps of rubber sheet in various thicknesses. Perhaps you could cut out new ones.

I think there is some fiber in the middle of these rubber pads, similar to a tire, so regular rubber sheet is not going to be strong like the original. I wish they use some kind of metal spring instead, but it is not that bad that it last for two decades already.

I suppose gravity makes the heavy wheel stay put.
I am concerned about bumpy roads though, when a jarring bump can make the wheel "jump" the clamp off the bumper.
The weight of the wheel while moving will probably break the hinge and allow the wheel to go flying off. Those thick rubber bands will snap, as they are only there as a spring for the clamp, sort of like the MORryde we have haha. My first set sheared. I can see that they probably also put enough tension on the clamp to keep it tight when new. Not now though.
I'll look into the reusable zip tie. Sounds like that can work by keeping the clamp tight against the bumper and less likely allowing the clamp to jump out.
I'll look into replacing the bands if I can find reinforced ones.

I just saw someone using bungee cord to hold down the bracket temporarily on the facebook group.

I decided on using a Velcro strap that I can tighten very nicely and it feels secure now.