right way to fix

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: right way to fix

Is the dark area due to Rust or a Fire?
If rust, your problems are just beginning.

What happened? A little history is needed!
 

lynnboy021

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
553
Re: right way to fix

Is the dark area due to Rust or a Fire?

its rust... i dont know the history of the trailer i just bought it like 2 weeks ago..... the old owner moved the wheels up front for his smaller standup jetski so i put my two tigershark jetski on and the trailer was keep bounceing on my hitch so i was looking closeing on the trailer and i saw the u-bolts where it use to be so i moved the axel back to where it was before but i dont know if it was craked before or by me moving it back to its place i made it crack more....
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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50,426
Re: right way to fix

looks like torch marks that are now rusting.

find someone that welds for a living, have them repair it.
 

lynnboy021

Chief Petty Officer
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Jan 27, 2008
Messages
553
Re: right way to fix

looks like torch marks that are now rusting.

could be... can i like use two L steel to make a box around the whole axel and then use u-bolts to hold it all in place??? if it is torch marks why would someone do that????
 

Mi duckdown

Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,575
Re: right way to fix

It looks like someone used a torch in that area. a pic of the full trailer might be handy.
 

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: right way to fix

Use a jack to close that gap. Grind the crack, weld it closed.
Then weld a scab plate on both sides going at least 6 inches from that crack.
 

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: right way to fix

+ 2 on what ricohamn said.

However, if the trailer is rusted out on the inside, it may just be the beginning of the end.
You will strengthen one place, which will move the stress to another spot and then that area will fail next.

How do the inside of the tubes look?​
 

lynnboy021

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
553
Re: right way to fix

Use a jack to close that gap. Grind the crack, weld it closed.
Then weld a scab plate on both sides going at least 6 inches from that crack.​

i thought you could not weld galvanize????

How do the inside of the tubes look?

i have no clue
 

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: right way to fix

Galvanized?! I thought it was painted and rusty and torched and cracked.

You need to look inside the tubes with a bright light.
If it is galvanized on the outside and rusted out inside; happy days are not in your future.

And Yes, you can weld Galvanized, Outdoors in a light breeze, do not breath the fumes!
 

lynnboy021

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
553
Re: right way to fix

sorry maybe i am wrong the trailer is Galvanized so the axle is steel right??? sorry lol
 

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: right way to fix

The trailer is either steel or aluminum.
If it is rusting it is steel.
Galvanized means the steel is coated with zinc instead of paint.
Galvanized is the preferred coating, especially for salt water.

But you still need to inspect the interior or the frame tubes.:D

In as much as you are within 25 miles of the ocean; This trailer has likely seen a lot of salt water.
If the previous (and current) owners were not religious about rinsing the salt out of the trailer after each use, the damage may already be extensive.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: right way to fix

Unless you have a welder and are capable of doing a decent job, my advice is to scrap the axle and buy a new one. If you have to have a shop do the repair it will easily cost as much or more than a new axle. Installing it is not rocket science.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
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May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: right way to fix

You can weld galvanized steel, just need to make sure you are wearing a respirator. I'd cut the frame in half there, bevel, reweld and then fish plate it. Not much point in just bending it back since it will be compromised even where it hasn't broken yet.
 

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: right way to fix

Is it the axel, or the frame that is bent and cracked?
Is is supposed to be bent and only cracked?
What are we looking at?

A picture of the whole trailer would help.
 

lynnboy021

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
553
Re: right way to fix

sorry about the delay kids party today made a video hope it helps.....
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
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Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: right way to fix

The right placment of the axle is where ever it puts about 10 % if the total weight on the hitch. And it would be simpler to replace the axle unless you or a friend has welding skills.
 

Mi duckdown

Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,575
Re: right way to fix

with your set up, a bathroom scale at the corect towing height. 18 inches.
I would be surprised if you would be over 150 lbs. tongue weight.
Lynn. if you google trailer set up it would be way easier than I can explain..02
 
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