I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

wgl333

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
140
Pulled my boat out yesterday, '95 Wellcraft Eclipse 236 on a 1995 EZ Loader trailer. Bout halfway home (fortunately, as it turns out it is only a 10 mile trip) I notice what appeared to be smoke coming off the left side tires. Pull off the highway and it appeared the left side of the trailer, from about mid-point between the 2 tires back had dropped noticeably and the fender was on the tires. I have attahed pictures and am wondering exactly what the heck happened and more importantly, is it fixable with the boat on the trailer. Is the length of the frame member one piece, or are they 2 pieced jointed at the axle and then again about 2/3 of the way back? I hope the pictured are clear enough to support the description. First 2 pics are of left side with the issues.....IMG_1608.jpgdropped side.jpgIMG_1606.jpgIMG_1604.jpg
 
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tpenfield

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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

Your trailer frame broke !!!!

A new Galvanized trailer would be good for you. I don't think this one is worth saving.
 

H20Rat

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Mar 8, 2009
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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

You are lucky you didn't lose a boat! That trailer is done, it isn't repairable. It looks like there probably is extensive rust damage under the paint. You could get that section welded up, but it would just break at another weak spot.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 22, 2003
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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

I would agree. Save the wheels and tires, buy a new/used trailer and use it to haul the old one to it's final resting place.
 

wgl333

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jan 11, 2011
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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

Well, I kinda suspected. But, now the problem. Boat is home...can it be welded with boat onboard to enable me to get it to the marina in the spring? Or could it be jacked to a safe clearance height and a piece of angle iron be bolted on to allow transport to the marina?
 

joewithaboat

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Jul 3, 2011
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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

Risking the lives of others is not worth the inconvenience of you transferring the boat at home without floating it. It?s a pain but can be done very safely. I would not put that trailer on the road again. You might be able to rent a large flatbed trailer to back the boat and trailer on to, then pull both to the marina. Make sure to tie it down with BIG straps of proper weight rating.
I would switch them on a flat driveway if you have one. A search here should provide the steps.
Good luck, be safe!
 

LippCJ7

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Sep 20, 2010
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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

I have to agree that you don't want that trailer on the road again and that you need a new trailer, however I disagree with floating the boat off that trailer, I think the best idea would be either pay for a small crane(depending on the weight of your boat) to lift your boat off that trailer and put it on your new trailer or crib the boat off the old trailer and slide the new trailer under the boat. Time wise a crane would be quick and very easy so your talking the crane operators minimums which can be fairly pricey unless you know someone, cribbing the boat off the trailer can take a bit of time and materials if you don't have them so its personal choice but I think once you consider time and materials the crane would be worth the money unless you have a yacht...

The reason why I wouldn't do what Joe suggested is that the frame is broken but has not completely separated, I would be worried that during transit the frame would completely fail and possibly damage the boat hull. If you can weld the frame (big if seeing that the frame is obviously weakened by rust so you may not be able to weld it anyway) up a bit to support it then I would think that it has one final trip to the Marina in it, problem is that now that one side of the trailer has failed you have no idea how much stress is now on the other side and I think its safe to assume the other side of the trailer is in nearly the same condition as the side that failed making it pretty sketchy.

Your trailer has served its lifetime, kind of sad to see her back broken like that..

After rereading your post I thought you would want a little more info, what happened is rust intrusion of the base metals of the trailer, over time rust has dissolved the metal frame of the trailer until it broke at the trailers weakest point, where the bolts for the axle leaf separator mounts to the frame. If I were to guess either you or a previous owner spent some time in salt water and thus you see the long standing effects of salt on metal that is not properly protected. It is repairable but not cost effective, its metal you can replace all the beams in that trailer if you want but your going to have more into repairing it then it would cost for a new trailer which is what the others are try to say, it is not repairable with the boat on the trailer were talking a complete rebuild of the trailer and therefore your just better off replacing the trailer and getting scrap money for the old gal.

The frame main beams started as one piece unfortunately that is no longer the case for your trailer.

Do you boat on Salt water? this is important because a galvanized trailer would be much better suited for you if thats the case
 

Slow Ride

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Sep 17, 2011
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Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

I agree with all the other guys. The trailer is done! If the main beam is that far gone chances are that the axles and most every other part is on the verge as well. I wouldn't put it on the road for 10 miles either. Look for a good trailer or new one if you can afford it. If you live in an area where you will be in salt water, aluminum is the only way to go! The galvanization process has changed over the last couple of decades due to EPA regulations and the life span of a new galvanized trailer is only a little over 5 years for tubular construction. Maybe a little longer for "I" beam or channel iron. Aluminum on the other hand lasts decades if maintained. Yes it cost more but not that much. If you can find a galvanized trailer that was made in the 80's you will see that it is still in good condition due to the old galvanization. I might be tempted to look at one of those real hard but it would have to be in great shape. Go aluminum and have piece of mind. Your local dealer has a lift that can move your boat from one trailer to another. Hopefully it is closer than 10 miles and you can stay on side roads and feeder streets. I'd stay below 25mph and be very careful of any pot holes or speed bumps if you do take this chance. There is no suspension left in that side of the trailer and now the frame is baring the added force of bumps directly on the main supports!
 

smokeonthewater

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Dec 3, 2009
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9,838
Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

you will need to block and jack the boat up and swap trailers at home.... that one shouldn't be towed anywhere
 

w2much

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Jun 22, 2005
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1,289
Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

My towing insurance covers my boat and trailer. If you don't have it add it to your policy. Mine was an additional 10.00 per year. They put it up on a flatbed and away she goes.
 

sschefer

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Nov 13, 2008
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4,530
Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

Agree, it's pretty easy to get the boat in the air and pull that trailer out. You just need boat stands and some cribbing for the jacks. If the trailer was in decent shape it would be even eaiser.

Here's how you do it but you'll need beefier stands then I used for this 18' boat. Once you get the transom on stands, you just keep jacking up the keel and moving the stand to get around the trailer cross members and axel.. Or... considering the condition of the trailer you could just jack it up and cut that trailer up with a Plasma cutter.

SNC00001.jpg
 

jacoboregon

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 6, 2011
Messages
226
Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

You can lift your boat with proper blocks and jacks as previously suggested. I did it with my 21 foot searay cuddy I had. You can also rent a fork lift fairly cheaply if you have a rental company in close proximity and pad the forks and lift it from the stern.
 

rentprop1

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Aug 30, 2008
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358
Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

engine crane and CBS blocks in a pinch
.
smallboat002.jpg
 

j_martin

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Sep 22, 2006
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7,474
Re: I have what appears to be a big time issue.....

You'd be amazed at what you can do with some blocking, a wooden bridge beam, and a handful of $20 bottle jacks.

Here's a 150 HP bass boat levitated in the shed. Trailer is being welded on and wired elsewhere.

levitate.jpg
 
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