Need help fixing up this trailer.

[Steve91T]

I just bought a boat and trailer. 20 ft bowrider with a 350 OMC. The trailer is a tandom axle with surge brakes. I got the whole mess for $800 with hopes to sell the boat for cheap, and keep the trailer.

I'll get pictures tomorrow, but here's the craigslist add.

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/boa/2214053946.html

The brakes don't work. Most of the lights do work. I'm planning on probably replacing all the lights with LED's and a whole new wiring harness. I'm also planning on replacing/fixing the brakes. My truck has an electric brake controller. I wonder if I should convert to electric brakes? Or just replace it with another surge brake tongue.

Now, the wheels and tires. The tires have to go. They are tiny 12" narrow old tires. They did get me home though. Should I replace them with the same size? Or upgrade to 14's or something?

Anyway, like I said, I'll get some better pictures tomorrow morning.

Anyone looking for a cheap boat?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Here are some pictures. One tail light doesn't work because the wire is broken...easy fix. The winch is fine, but the strap is weathered badly. I'm sure I'll have to replace the winch. The tires are 12" tires max load of 1045 lbs each. Only the front axle has drum brakes. I'm going to flush the system with new fluid and see what happens.

Should I replace the wheels? Or just throw new tires on it? What kind of tires are recommended?

Here are the pics...any and all comments are welcome.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Northern Tools or Tractor Supply has most trailer items. Maybe go with new tires and wheels(already mounted from Northern Tool)in 14" as long as it'll fit under your fenders. New lights, fix brakes, maybe sand and paint trailer with a good primer and corrosion resistant paint, remove/check/grease hubs, bearings, spindles. Nice rig you've got! Good Luck!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

14's will probably not fit under the fenders but then it is not likely you actually need 14's. The largest 13 inch will probably fit and provide the load capacity you need. Before you do anything, determine the axle capacity. If they are 3500# axles the two will handle a load to 7000# (which includes the weight of the trailer). If they are 2200# then the load rating drops to 4400#. If there is no capacity tag on the trailer frame, pull one of the wheels and look at the wheel bearings. There is a table in the stickies at the very top of this forum. If the outer and inner bearings are the same size (1-1/16 inch) then that is NOT a 3500# axle. If the outer bearing is 1-1/16 and inner is 1-3/8 then the axle is very likely a 3500# unit. Therefore it makes no sense to put 14 inch wheels on a 2200# axle as it does not increase load capacity or safety as the axle is the weak link. If the axles are 3500# units, then stuff the larger wheels under it if you wish. You may have to raise the fenders but it appears there is plenty of clearance to do so. As for surge or electric, that's your call. Since you already have the controller, I would go for it. Otherwise, the surge system is there although it may need total replacement due to rust inside and out.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Been following your trailer purchase in the general section. As for brakes - get the surge brakes working and stick with them. My opinion (backed up by a little bit of science) is electricity and water don't play nicely together. Surge brakes work well and are very reliable with a little bit of upkeep.

As for the tires, match them to the load being carried as stated above.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Your 12" wheels are 4 on 4 bolt pattern. You should be able to find 13" wheels in that pattern but 14" will typically be 5-4 1/2 which would probably require swapping axles to get the larger spindle for the 5 bolt hub. The fenders will certainly have to be raised even to go to 13". Given your wheel diameter, it would be tough to do much other than the surge brakes you already have. Get them back in working order, I can't think of anything else that would clear the inside of the wheel.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Boat is gone! I looked at the fenders, they are welded. I guess I'll just stick to 12" wheels. I really don't care what size they are, as long as they are safe and can handle the weight. As I mentioned in my other post, the boat was very heavy because of all the rot. After about an hour and 40 minute drive, the tires were warm.

I'll have to pull a wheel and see what size bearings it has, and see what kind of load rating they have. I'm hoping they are OK.

I'll mess with the brakes, but I'm assuming I'll have to at the very least get a new MC. It's pretty rusty.

I'm thinking at the very least, new strap for the winch, LED lights all the way around, new tires, re-cover the bunks, new rollers, and adjust the bunks to fit the Mariah. I think I'll also paint the wheels.

I want to get rid of the support for the winch. Are there universal replacements? Where is the best place to get parts?

I'm going to do some poking around here. I know there's lots of good info.

Here's a picture! Pulls much better with no heavy, rotted boat on it!

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Oh, and I'm going to remove those stupid wings.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Oh, and I'm going to remove those stupid wings.

I have these guides http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2719.jpg on mine and they are AWESOME. So maybe think twice before ditching yours.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Do they touch both sides of the boat? These are so far out it's crazy. Plus they are springy, and flap around as I go down the highway.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

I've been looking for wheels and tires. Seems it's almost cheaper to just a wheel and tire package. Problem is I'm having a hard time finding 12" wheels with a 4 bolt pattern for a decent price. Also, I'd like to have a higher max weight rating.

What do you guys think?

Steve

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Axle time, take a sawzall to the fender mounts, a buddy with a mig welder, might have to put in a peice to lenghen the fenders to clear the new tires... You're getting up there in what these mods will cost. Axles at say $150 each, tire and wheel X4 @ $100, new brakes of the appropriate size $350, new winch, lights, your time, paint... is this thing worth it?

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Well, the winch is good, just needs a new strap...


Like I've said, $1400 for a used trailer is the best I found. So far, I've got $450 into this one.

Steve

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

There are plenty to chose from here at reasonable prices http://www.easternmarine.com/12-and-13-Trailer-Tire-Rim/ I got mine from there and the service is great. There are a bunch with a 990lb capacity. That's pretty darn good for a 12". That's the route I'd take. It would be plenty for your Mariah.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

How about these?

http://www.easternmarine.com/H188-530x12-Trailer-Tire-Painted-Rim-Load-Range-C/

I can't figure out why some of these tires are about $60 and some are pushing $90.

Anyway, $260 shipped for 4 wheels and tires isn't bad. I thought I was going to have to pay more than that. Are all 12" rims with 4 bolt pattern the same?

I'll probably keep one of my old wheels and tires as a spare.

Thanks again for the help.
Steve

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

I've found where to get surge brake actuators, but what about the drum brakes themselves?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm wanting to order tomorrow so they will be here early next week.

Thanks again.
Steve

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

I think your trailer was originally built for a bass boat.
The "wings" were bent way out to clear the "too big for the trailer" boat in your first pics.
That is why the black paint has flaked off at the bent part above the frame rails.
To go along with those booster blocks under some of the bunk boards because the brackets could not be adjust up enough to meet the big boat hull.
The winch stand looks like it came from another trailer.
The axles are something less than the 3500lb xapacity versions.
Check your local boat and trailer shops for the rims and tires and everything else.
You might be surprised to find what you need for about the same cost after shipping of stuff from the net.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

I've found where to get surge brake actuators, but what about the drum brakes themselves?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm wanting to order tomorrow so they will be here early next week.

Thanks again.
Steve

What size are the brake drums?

 

[Steve91T]

Re: Need help fixing up this trailer.

Not sure, I'm going to pull a wheel today.