dumb idea or genius? w/pic

[mswalter2009]

Needed to replace a couple of rollers on my trailer. Went down to West and picked up the rollers and new shafts. First off I noticed the end caps that came with the shaft were cheap and would have rusted off in a month. I could have gotten the galvanized caps but didn't think about it. Anyway, crawled under the trailer and proceed to mount the new roller. Getting the second end cap on is a pain with one person. Maybe there is a trick to this but while I'm laying under my trailer I had an idea. Why not replace the end caps with a stainless washer and cotter pin. Went to the hardware store and picked up the parts. Drilled a hole in each end of the shaft and wala!! So, am I missing something here that makes this a bad idea?


EDIT: Pix must be 640X480 or smaller. Reduce and repost, please.

 

[oldrenken79]

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Pure genius, I tip my fishing pole to you.

Sometimes, it works a whole lot better if it's not over-engineered.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Re: dumb idea or genius?

K.I.S.S., pure and simple.

Made to last and easy to repair, ain't NOTHING better than that!

I love it!

 

[andymcd75]

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Re: dumb idea or genius?

genius mate as soon as i get my boat off the trailer i have to replace all my rollers and am stealing your idea

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Drilled a hole in each end of the shaft and VOILA!! So, am I missing something here that makes this a bad idea?

Only made one mistake but it's all better now

good job on the fix but make sure the washers are a tight fit on the shaft.

 

[mswalter2009]

Re: dumb idea or genius?

Re: dumb idea or genius?

[QUOTEgood job on the fix but make sure the washers are a tight fit on the shaft.[/QUOTE]

By chance the ss washers were a really good fit on the roller shaft.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

This is how the rollers are retained on my trailer from the factory, the push on caps are convenient but don't last long.

Don't forget to use SS cotters!

 

[yfzjim]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

mine came this way from the factory too.

 

[mswalter2009]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

mine came this way from the factory too.

Right, makes sense. The end caps are just a pain. I just don't ever recall seeing the roller shaft cotter pin setup in my local West Marine. I should be more attentive while walking through a parking lot loaded with trailers. Thanks for the reply.

 

[pluto1]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

mswalter2009- I have a 1987 cox galvanized trailer. After the original rollers rusted out I replaced them with the orange rollers as you have done with the exception that I replaced the steel rod with an aluminum rod. My boat is only a 16' cc and so far the aluminum has not bent under weight one bit. I also replaced every nut and bolt with stainless as all of my boating is in saltwater.All of this was done about 20 years ago and it still looks as new.You will be happy with your set-up.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

You can buy stainless roller shafts with pins, I got mine at Boater's World (before it went out of business). I've seen them on ebay, also.

-E

 

[2rz-fte]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

Don't forget to use SS cotters!

i was gonna say the same thing. the ocean is terrible on our stuff.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

Excellent Idea!!!!

 

[Expidia]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

I use those yellow self centering rollers and since they are pricey they are also a target for thieves. They would have to attack these with a reciprocating saw now!

After I lost the front one (which was only a week old) I had my local welding shop spot weld on the galvanized end caps (pal nuts) and the bolts that hold the brackets onto the trailer.

I hate that feeling of coming back off the lake in the dark and seeing only my car and trailer sitting there all by itself. Insurance is useless, unless they steal the whole trailer cause I have a $250 deductible.

But it's a nice idea with the cotter pins, but in NY it would take a thief about 10 secs a roller to swipe them

 

[199q]

Re: dumb idea or genius? w/pic

After I lost the front one (which was only a week old) I had my local welding shop spot weld on the galvanized end caps (pal nuts) and the bolts that hold the brackets onto the trailer.

I hate that feeling of coming back off the lake in the dark and seeing only my car and trailer sitting there all by itself. Insurance is useless, unless they steal the whole trailer cause I have a $250 deductible.

But it's a nice idea with the cotter pins, but in NY it would take a thief about 10 secs a roller to swipe them

what if you were to tack on a little weld on each cotter pin after they are in place? still can take it off with a dremel, but thats more than a common thief would do probably. just gotta keep an honest man honest!