can this be fixed?

[shinerbock]

or should i just buy a new trailer?

 

[krakatoa]

Re: can this be fixed?

Yes, you can fix your trailer, specially will those parts that use bolts and nuts but there is a lot of work to do. Obviously you have to spend a few bucks on it but less than a new trailer

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can this be fixed?

structural can be welded, what i did on one of mine, i took as sawzall, and cut all the bunk mounting brackets off, and went back with bolt on brackets, allows much more flexibility with the set up.

 

[45Auto]

Re: can this be fixed?

All of the bolt on stuff like the bunk brackets can easily be fixed. The structural frame parts can also easily be repaired by cutting out the rusted parts and welding in new metal. Only questions would be how far back under the paint does the rusted away metal extend when you start cutting it away, and how much do you want to spend?

The rust is usually much more extensive than you can see. If you can't do the welding yourself and have to go to a shop and pay someone to do it, it's probably going to cost you more than a good used trailer. Figure easily a half a day minimum at $100/hour, and probably more like a day.

Those rusted frame areas where the tongue cross-member ties across and that rusted rear cross member are pretty bad. The tongue cross-member location is scary since that's a high-stress area. The lower part of the frame there is in tension from the bending loads, right where it's rusted. Hopefully it's just surface rust there.

Take it by a welding shop and have them give you an estimate, then compare that to the cost of a good used trailer.

 

[mthieme]

Re: can this be fixed?

I've fixed much worse.
Do you weld?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can this be fixed?

those painted trailer are pretty when new, next time go for galvanized or aluminum.

 

[shinerbock]

Re: can this be fixed?

thanks for your input. well no i do not weld, i wouldnt have a clue what i was doing. im 26 years old and in Iraq right now. i have been in since i was 19 so i have never done anything like that before. i bought the boat and trailer in july while in iraq. i was more interested in the boat than the trailer when i bought it. i have a buddy thats in the rear so i had him take a look at the boat before i got it. he did tell me there was a bit of rust but i had no idea it was that bad. i hear i could get a trailer for somewhere around $1000 to $1500.

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: can this be fixed?

The structural fix will be easier than the cosmetic. I've had to fix a few trailer tounges before. You can just get apiece of angle iron and place it over the entire affecter area and have it welded on to brace the weak area in the rear. You can brace the other areas fron inside the channel/perling, grind of the exterior rust, bondo, and paint. Fenders are cheap at you local Tractor Supply or similar store and so is paint.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: can this be fixed?

You stay safe over there soldier, okay? Other than the 3rd picture down, none of that rust is that bad. It's all on bolted on parts, so they can be removed, repaired, or replaced easily. And even that 3rd pic down, with the rust below the yellow light, might not be that bad. You might just need to grind it all off, treat the bare metal, prime and paint.
Thanks for your service, get home safe and feel free to ask more questions!

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: can this be fixed?

Are you from Texas (from your screen name...good beer) ?
There's about a 90% chance that some welder would do it for free, once he's been told you have been serving in Iraq for 7 years....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: can this be fixed?

thanks for your input. well no i do not weld, i wouldnt have a clue what i was doing. im 26 years old and in Iraq right now. i have been in since i was 19 so i have never done anything like that before. i bought the boat and trailer in july while in iraq. i was more interested in the boat than the trailer when i bought it. i have a buddy thats in the rear so i had him take a look at the boat before i got it. he did tell me there was a bit of rust but i had no idea it was that bad. i hear i could get a trailer for somewhere around $1000 to $1500.

Fix it. I am positive you have a friend (or can make one) who welds. Upon your return to CONUS you should be able to get it done pretty fast.

Be safe.

Thanks for your service.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: can this be fixed?

Welding is easy, just cut out the bad and weld in some new metal. If a length is rusted through, cut it out and re-weld in a matching piece and repaint. Most of that rust doesn't look that bad, I can't really tell whether the rust in around that one keel roller is a bracket or the frame itself, and the rust on the frame rail in the third pic needs to be investigated further with a sharp screw driver and wire brush to see how much of that frame is compromised. It may not be that bad once you get it all cleaned up.
I've fixed trailers that were 10 times worse or more. Galvanized is nice but not as important if running in only freshwater. In saltwater, a non galvanized trailer really takes some keeping after to keep it alive.

I take it you haven't actually laid eyes on it yet if your still overseas?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: can this be fixed?

Without a doubt fixable. Just remember that nothing rusts faster than welded steel !!!! As soon as the repair is completed make certain to treat all the welded areas.

 

[45Auto]

Re: can this be fixed?

Pretty much anything on a trailer is easily fixable with a welder, a sandblaster, a little angle iron, some square tube and some plate. Matter of fact it's pretty easy to build a whole trailer. But if you have to pay someone to do it for you don't expect them to do it for free.

Take it to a shop and get a price, then make your decision.

 

[shinerbock]

Re: can this be fixed?

thanks again. ... no i havent laid eyes on it yet, i get to next month when i return home. i do have a fellow Marine who claims he can weld. i let him touch my tv once and that thing doesnt work anymore, so we will see. as far as looking for a replacement trailer, how do you go about looking for the one you need? keep in mind this is my first boat.

ooo yea, i havent been in iraq for 7 years, i have been in the corps that long. yup im from houston texas, well pasadena.

 

[Mark42]

Re: can this be fixed?

thanks for your input. well no i do not weld, i wouldnt have a clue what i was doing. im 26 years old and in Iraq right now. i have been in since i was 19 so i have never done anything like that before. i bought the boat and trailer in july while in iraq. i was more interested in the boat than the trailer when i bought it. i have a buddy thats in the rear so i had him take a look at the boat before i got it. he did tell me there was a bit of rust but i had no idea it was that bad. i hear i could get a trailer for somewhere around $1000 to $1500.

After you get home, take the boat off the trailer and bring to the local base. I bet the guys in maintenance will have it cleaned up in no time.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: can this be fixed?

I find most of my used trailers on Craigslist.com. I often get them for free for disposal of an old boat. Look for free boats, one with a trailer that suits your needs. Strip and take the boat to the landfill and keep the trailer.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: can this be fixed?

Sorry I called you a soldier, Marine!

Keep us posted on what you find when you get home next month, okay?

 

[fishmen111]

Re: can this be fixed?

Though repairable, I would replace it. I do not know where you call home, but on Craigslist around here, it is not unusual to have a selection of galvanized trailers for less than $500. That trailer will continue to rust after repairs without a complete restoration, which could cost more in $ and time than it is worth. Stay safe and thanks for your service.

 

[shinerbock]

Re: can this be fixed?

home is good ole camp lejeune in north carolina. and i more than likely will get a new one, or have one of my hillbilly marines from WV make one.