Suggestions for this old trailer

[dccordell]

I'm trying to get my old boat trailer road-ready so I can get the boat over to my house so I can work on the rebuild of the boat more often. I don't know much about trailers in general, so I need some help. The trailer is a roller-style. It seems to be in decent shape overall, but some parts need attention:

1. The bearings... I'm guessing it must have a 3500lb axle because it has a tapered shaft with the 1 3/8" & 1 1/16" bearings. The hub is the kind that doesn't have the studs, but just threaded holes and it uses lug bolts to hold the tire on. I already have the bearings off one side. My question is should I just replace these bearings and the inside seal, or should I just buy a new-style hub (that has studs) that already comes with the bearings in it? Bearings are around $15/each and hubs are $35/each. In the pic below of the axle, are axles even made like this, where the spindle is welded onto a piece of square tube? Or is this a home-made axle?? Should I replace the whole thing??

Also, I've found 3500# axle bearing kits at TSC and Academy sports, but the numbers on them don't match the numbers on the bearings I took out. Does it matter as long as it has 1 3/8 & 1 1/16 bearings?

2. Upon inspection of the trailer, I noticed that a piece of flat bar has been welded from the axle to the frame! Only one reason why someone would do that, so I get to looking and sure enough the leaf springs have broken on one side of the trailer, right in the center under the axle. So they welded the axle right to the trailer frame, bypassing the spring and surely giving the boat a rough as heck ride down the highway. So, should I just replace the springs on this side (is that possible?) or leave it as it is? In this picture you can see the 3 pieces of metal welded on...

3. What do you guys think about the front of the trailer... the tongue, emergency chains, winch tower? Rusty... can I wire wheel the rust and paint it? Or does it looks more serious? The tongue lock seems to work still.. See how the bow eye tie-down on the tower looks like it was either home-made or like it is pulling away from the tower? What should I do about that? The old winch still works good and it's a two-speed winch so I might keep it.

I think that's all for now, sorry for the long post!.. let me know what you guys think I need and what I should do to get this thing on the road.


Thanks!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

time for a new trailer. seriously. To undo all the stuff the previous owner did and get it right will cost you near what a decent used trailer costs.
I'd be very afraid of those welds, especially if it's a salt water trailer.
The PO's welding a block to cancel out the springs, instead of the cheap and easy replacement, speaks volumes. Your boat and the lives of the people behind you (and all around you, and you!) are depending on his skills and care.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Look for a new used one! Seriously that trailer has been butchered. How big is this boat? How far do you have to go? Personally I would not use that trailer. Springs, axle, coupler all have issues that need to be addressed before I would even think about taking that thing on the road, even w/o a boat on it. That's not even concidering the lights.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

I have to agree with the others,by the time you spend all that money on parts and your labor,plus any labor you have to have done by someone (don't know your capabilities on welding and fabrication) a used trailer will probably be cheaper and in better condition. Safety is the most important thing!
I would start looking on Craigs List....plenty of decent trailer pop up all the time.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

That trailer is DONE! Don't put a dime in it! Your bow support is particularly telling as the material where it pulled and rotted away shows that there's been a terriffic amount of corrosion inside the frame. The springs are obviously junk, the coupler looks like it's welded to nothing anymore, I wouldn't trust a weld on that thing at this point.

 

[funk6294]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

I have to agree as well, that thing has been hackity hacked and bad. The axle for sure needs to be replaced. People do make custom axles with square tubing! However I have yet to see one welded like that and looking at the welds on the vertical plates holding the axle to the frame does not instill a lot of confidence in this persons welding abilities. Also did that thing have brakes? The other issue is given the amount of rust showing up I would be worried that the trailer is rotting from the inside out. Go find a different one and chop up this one for scraps (and a good winch)

 

[dccordell]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Well darn... looks like it's time to search for a new trailer. Now that brings up a few new questions...

- Should I be looking for another roller trailer? Or would it be possible to buy a bunk trailer and take the roller brackets from the old trailer and fit them to the new trailer? The roller brackets on the old trailer seem to be ok, no rust at all on those.

- The boat is just over 18' from bow to transom. Does the new trailer have to be the same length as the old one or would I have to do some adjusting to make it fit lengthwise?

I've done some searching today on craigslist just for past trailer sales and found nothing even somewhat recently. I'm just trying to get an idea of what $$ I'm looking at.. any ideas at all? I don't even know what a good deal on a trailer is.. Thinking I may post a wanted ad for one and see what pops up.

Thanks for the good suggestions yall.. glad I can count on some straight-forward answers.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

don't buy your "new" trailer based on scavenging parts from the old one--but keep a couple if they match.

The boat should be supported at or near the transom; a little overhang is OK. How its supported can be driven by the huill design and brand.

I am a big advocate of roller trailers and not putting the axle in the water. It's a salt water thing.

Talk to the boat dealers about a used trailer.

Hope the same guy who "fixed" the trailer didn't work on the boat!

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

dccordell...i see you are in Louisiana. PM inbound.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Well I'll be looking around to see what I can find... will let you guys know how it works out.

Can anybody give me a decent estimate of a price I should be looking for? I really have no idea... I'm thinking around $500 for a decent used trailer but I really don't know.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Some of the best deals I have seen on used trailers are ones that are being sold with a POS boat. Have seen a lot of trailers worth at least $500 go for $200 but then you have to figure out what to do with the boat. Maybe put the crappy boat on the rusty trailer and sell it as a fixer upper for $100.

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

I am a Highway Enforcement Officer and a Certified Vehicle Inspector.....if I saw this on the road in my jurisdiction the trailer would be parked , placed out of service and you would have to get a flatbed to come and take it away.....need I say more. The field welding as we call it is enough to place it out of service. Dont risk your life or others on the road with this please!!!! I have investigated enough accidents caused by junk like this and i`m sure my compatriats in your neck of the woods feel likewise.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Yup, it's junk. Hard to say the axle rating as it looks like a piece of square tube with the hubs welded to the top. I'd get the wheels on it and call a scrap yard to come get it. You'd probably get $50 out of the deal. That way you'd know you won't meet it on the road some day! Keep in mind that used trailer values seem to go down if there is a boat on them. So you may look at some junk boats on good trailers and find a steal.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Go get some one to haul your boat to your house and take that trailer some place and put a sign on it, "Free to a good home" .I'd bet it would be there next year.;

 

[dccordell]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Haha you are probably right Eagle...

Well I'm going to look at a trailer this weekend. Apparently it is in great shape but has an older bayliner on it that needs lots of work. The guy doesn't want the boat so guess I'll take it and see if I can scrap anything off of it, then maybe offer it for free on craigslist. He says it's got a V8 but is in pieces and the outdrive has been removed. $500 seems good if it is in good shape and the boat will fit. What measurements should I be taking with me to check? I'm thinking the distance from the transom to the bow and the distance of the widest point, just to make sure it will fit.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

dcordell,
Look on craigslist. I am in Houston, by clicking over on craigslist to different cities your selection broadens if you are willing to drive 100-300 miles. I am looking for a tritoon trailer, kind of rare, but this has been a good week for trailers in Houston, Beaumont, East Texas and Deep East Texas.

 

[masintenn]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Hard to believe that someone who has a welder wouldn't be smart enough to replace a leaf spring!!! If you can weld you should be able to turn a wrench.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Well I ended up buying that trailer that has the old bayliner capri on it. The trailer looks to be in real good shape and I'm pretty sure I can just take my roller brackets off the busted trailer and put them on the new trailer.

The bayliner that's on the trailer... well, the interior is trashed. Looks like someone had intentions of rebuilding it but didn't finish. The 3.0 motor is in pieces but looks like all the pieces are there. The outdrive is laying in the boat and in at least two or 3 pieces and looks like it's probably just scrap metal now. However, on the outside of the boat the trim ram and the entire gimbal housing and bell housing are still there and in real good shape. The dash controls (gauges, switches, dash) look to be in decent shape, just needs cleaning. The steering cable/shift cable and throttle controls are all there too. I'm thinking I'll put that stuff on ebay... surely it's worth something. Maybe I'll break even or come out ahead on buying this trailer.

Those curved pieces of glass that go on the sides of the bayliner are still there too.. not sure what I'll do with those. They are kinda big to be shipping to anyone.

I must admit the thought of putting this old boat away to be rebuilt later crossed my mind, but it's just too far gone I think. Not to mention I already have one project that seems to never end....!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

Those windshield pieces generally go for $250 and up on eBay per piece. The buyer usually pays the shipping. So they could be your biggest money-makers.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Suggestions for this old trailer

That's awesome! The entire outside transom assembly for the outdrive looks to be in good shape and is complete with the rams and hoses, so I'm sure that's worth something to somebody too.

It's a neat looking little boat and I must admit that thought crossed my mind, but I realize I already have a project and no room for another, not to mention no extra funds! The hull is in nearly perfect shape, gel coat looks really good. I sure would hate to scrap the boat. Probably throw it on craigslist for $100 or free..