Boat trailer repair questions
 

Hi, I bought a boat trailer and just noticed the frame is a little bent
at the front. The original owner mentioned that he had two boats on it
at once but I didn't think to inspect the frame. Here is a picture of
where it's bent. BTW it's bend on both sides equally so it doesn't seem
to affect the steering or anything.

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer9.jpg

One other question I had is, the trailer has some rust and I'm not sure
how bad it is. Also, should I change the u-bolts on the axle just to be
safe?

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer8.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer10.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer7.jpg

Thanks,
Michael

Oh yea, my question is should I try to straighten the frame before
taking it to inspections?

Thanks

Michael Shaffer wrote:
Hi, I bought a boat trailer and just noticed the frame is a little bent
at the front. The original owner mentioned that he had two boats on it
at once but I didn't think to inspect the frame. Here is a picture of
where it's bent. BTW it's bend on both sides equally so it doesn't seem
to affect the steering or anything.

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer9.jpg

One other question I had is, the trailer has some rust and I'm not sure
how bad it is. Also, should I change the u-bolts on the axle just to be
safe?

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer8.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer10.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer7.jpg

Thanks,
Michael

Nevermind, I just jumped on the front of it and it bent right back into
place :)

Michael Shaffer wrote:
Hi, I bought a boat trailer and just noticed the frame is a little bent
at the front. The original owner mentioned that he had two boats on it
at once but I didn't think to inspect the frame. Here is a picture of
where it's bent. BTW it's bend on both sides equally so it doesn't seem
to affect the steering or anything.

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer9.jpg

One other question I had is, the trailer has some rust and I'm not sure
how bad it is. Also, should I change the u-bolts on the axle just to be
safe?

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer8.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer10.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer7.jpg

Thanks,
Michael

If it bent back into place when you jumped on it, what is it going to do
when you do accident avoidance with a full load on it?

Michael Shaffer wrote:
Nevermind, I just jumped on the front of it and it bent right back into
place :)

Michael Shaffer wrote:

Hi, I bought a boat trailer and just noticed the frame is a little
bent at the front. The original owner mentioned that he had two boats
on it at once but I didn't think to inspect the frame. Here is a
picture of where it's bent. BTW it's bend on both sides equally so it
doesn't seem to affect the steering or anything.

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer9.jpg

One other question I had is, the trailer has some rust and I'm not
sure how bad it is. Also, should I change the u-bolts on the axle just
to be safe?

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer8.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer10.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer7.jpg

Thanks,
Michael

I'm going to weld some more angle iron to it. I just wanted it straight
before I welded it.

RoyJ wrote:
If it bent back into place when you jumped on it, what is it going to do
when you do accident avoidance with a full load on it?

Michael Shaffer wrote:

Nevermind, I just jumped on the front of it and it bent right back
into place :)

Michael Shaffer wrote:

Hi, I bought a boat trailer and just noticed the frame is a little
bent at the front. The original owner mentioned that he had two boats
on it at once but I didn't think to inspect the frame. Here is a
picture of where it's bent. BTW it's bend on both sides equally so it
doesn't seem to affect the steering or anything.

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer9.jpg

One other question I had is, the trailer has some rust and I'm not
sure how bad it is. Also, should I change the u-bolts on the axle
just to be safe?

http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer8.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer10.jpg
http://members.cox.net/michaelshaffer/trailer7.jpg

Thanks,
Michael

"Michael Shaffer" wrote in message
news:XEzye.67512$oK.15790@okepread02...
I'm going to weld some more angle iron to it. I just wanted it straight
before I welded it.

RoyJ wrote:
If it bent back into place when you jumped on it, what is it going to do
when you do accident avoidance with a full load on it?

Michael Shaffer wrote:

Nevermind, I just jumped on the front of it and it bent right back
into place :)

Michael Shaffer wrote:


If I could jump on the front and bend it back (and I'm good size),
I think I would consider using only for hauling mattresses or pillows.

mikey

Mike Fields wrote:
"Michael Shaffer" wrote in message
news:XEzye.67512$oK.15790@okepread02...

I'm going to weld some more angle iron to it. I just wanted it straight
before I welded it.

RoyJ wrote:

If it bent back into place when you jumped on it, what is it going to do
when you do accident avoidance with a full load on it?

Michael Shaffer wrote:


Nevermind, I just jumped on the front of it and it bent right back
into place :)

Michael Shaffer wrote:



If I could jump on the front and bend it back (and I'm good size),
I think I would consider using only for hauling mattresses or pillows.

mikey


Personally, I would junk the thing and but a new galvanized trailer. It
will last you 20 years if you take care of it.

Don White wrote:
Mike Fields wrote:

"Michael Shaffer" wrote in message
news:XEzye.67512$oK.15790@okepread02...

I'm going to weld some more angle iron to it. I just wanted it straight
before I welded it.

RoyJ wrote:

If it bent back into place when you jumped on it, what is it going
to do
when you do accident avoidance with a full load on it?

Michael Shaffer wrote:


Nevermind, I just jumped on the front of it and it bent right back
into place :)

Michael Shaffer wrote:



If I could jump on the front and bend it back (and I'm good size),
I think I would consider using only for hauling mattresses or pillows.

mikey


Personally, I would junk the thing and but a new galvanized trailer. It
will last you 20 years if you take care of it.
That should be 'buy'....

I doubt if the U bolts need to be changed. They are pretty thick
metal. So if you lost .050 off them , they would not have lost a large
percentage of their strength. The Frame is a different story. It is
likely less than 1/8 inch thick when new. So losing .050 off the frame
may have cut the strength in half.

I would take a hammer and rap all over the frame to see if any parts
are nearly rusted thru. I helped repair a boat trailer that had
serious rust from being in salt water. I replaced the pieces that were
seriously rusted.


Dan