Trailer Restoration Under Way

[lowkee]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

If it says to paint it, you might as well do it sooner than later. Even surface rust can cause a mess. I put a new hitch pin in my coupler a while back, immediately after restoring the trailer, and a week later I had rust streaks all over the coupler.. the pin was brand new but not protected. Your swing-away is likely in the same boat.

 

[soundman2424]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

You ought to see the plans and procedures to hold up a Dallas class nuclear sub.

No such thing as a Dallas class nuclear sub. The USS Dallas is a Los Angeles class fast attack "boat".

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

No such thing as a Dallas class nuclear sub. The USS Dallas is a Los Angeles class fast attack "boat".

Got me, time has a way of warping the mind BTW I heard scuttlebutt that the 688 Los Angeles is due to be retired. It sure doesn't seem like 32 or so years have passed since it was put in service.

 

[Cox]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Last weekend, I completed the final step for the season (with the only exception being the new fenders) and installed the fold-away tongue/coupler. I was pretty pleased with how it turned out as well as the extra length it added when in the locked towing position. It was already pretty easy to launch with my setup but the extra 16" or so makes it even easier on a shallow launch. It's going to be a long winter waiting for go-time on the boat rebuild!!! First snow in Chi-town predicted for T-Giving!

 

[Beck]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Nice job on the restor.

First, I would not cut anything on the bunk brackets. It looks like the ends are open I would measure between the two 90 degree bends and install a piece of emt or conduit whichever fits best. It may look a little strange but will support everything better.

Second, Where did you purchase the tongue fold-away thing? I just redid my trailer and had a time sizing my tongue to fit my vehicle under my side carport and not be too short for towing and turning.

Beck

 

[Cox]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Beck,
Good thought on the supports, I'll consider that. I ordered the Fulton product through Cabelas. It was about $150. You can order the hinge by itself for like $95 online but it sounds like you could use the added tongue that comes along with the whole kit. I really considered shortening it to match the length of the old piece I had cut away but when all was said and done, it was really nice having that extra length for launching. Good luck.

Cox

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Hey Cox. Job well done. Now, where did you find the bunk hardware? I have a Harbor Freight tailer like this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=5002 and as you can see the 2 aft bunks are tilt ups. They work great for keeping the bow lined up in a wind, but once the bottom of the boat pushes thm down there is noting to keep the bow from strayng away from the front roller. I'd like to add something like you have.

 

[Cox]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

I got mine from Bass Pro Shops. They stock them right at the store if you are fortunate enough to have one nearby. If not, you can order them online from both BPS and Cabelas. Just look at the design of the mounting hardware though. If I had done more research, I probably would've gone with the ones from Cabelas as they look as if they would hug the boat a bit tighter. I'm going to have to modify mine in the spring a little to make them more effective. They're good right now and help in a cross-wind situation but I think they could be even better.

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Done! Cabela's had just what I needed. Merry Christmas to me.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Looks REALLY nice...a good resto is always more satisfying than buying new to me at least...you learn a lot and can fix just about anything that goes wrong with it your self...I took an over-loaded Load Rite that came under my old '88 Four Winns and replaced the axle, brakes, added brakes, longer roller bars, more rollers and a longer tongue...did it over the course of a summer when the boat is moored in the water so I had plenty of time...

 

[ReelPlumber]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Nice Job on the trailer!!!

 

[MRS]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Lou, I love those fenders I am redoing my trailer now and my fenders are a little to narrow for the tires. I think I need some like yours......

 

[Lou C]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

they are the aluminum diamond plate ones....Champion Trailers has em.....

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Nice job on your restored trailer.
Is it all made of 1 x 3 or 4 tubing?
If it is I hope you took a pointy welding hammer to the bottom of the tubing looking for rust holes not seen by the naked eye.

If it is all tubing I would be tempted to heat up some roofing tar and pour it into the trailer tubing. Or some used motor oil.

There should be some drain holes at the very back end on the bottom, make sure they are open.

Adding tubing or even angle irons to connect your guide-on brackets ends from side to side would make them way more resistant to being pushed over.

 

[MRS]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

they are the aluminum diamond plate ones....Champion Trailers has em.....

Thanks I will check them out.....

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: Trailer Restoration Under Way

Great restore!!! Want to ask about the guide on bunks. The U bolts are soppuse to be monuted in a crossing pattern. The u-bolt with the hump in the middle lies over top of the other bolt. Is there a resson you didn't mount in this way?