new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

[finx]

I just picked up a free boat with a trailer. it's a 1971 Thunderbird 190 tri hull. The boat needs new stringers of course but the trailer has a lot of rust on it. Especially around the areas where holes were drilled. Could I cut the frame of the trailer out and weld steel box tubing to replace it? The materials would cost around 60 bucks and a weekends worth of labor. The trailer is a spring/shock with torsion bars. It looked expensive in its day.

The wheel bearing sounded rough when I jacked up the boat and spun the tire by hand. I'm sure the axle will need replacing along with the springs and shocks. The wench has a lot of surface rust but it still works. Torsion bars are rusted through....


option 1: Buy a new trailer

option 2: Build a trailer

option 3: restore a trailer

What do?

How much work and money would go into a restored trailer?
how do i find a trailer to fit a 1971 19 foot trihull? Are they all universal?


Sorry, Im new at boats.

 

[Roadrager50]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

Rebuild it, I have done this before it is not that difficult,just remember to start at the rear and start replacing the cross beams as you go working forward.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

If you are handy and have acces to metal working tools rebuilding it is probably your best bet. Plus than you can set it up exactly the way you want it. You could buy a new trailer and have it set up for your boat but that would be quite spendy. You could also look around and buy a better used trailer but you will still most likely have to do some repairs as well as set it up for your boat. If it was me I'd rebuild. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

We like to see pictures of stuff, so post some if you can. I rebuilt a trailer (for my sailboat) and it was wicked fun. I believe that it will cost less than a new trailer, and you will learn a bit in the process.

You can get some nice parts from: http://www.championtrailers.com

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

I would first consider whether you are going to use it on the road a lot, or just occasional short hauls. If a lot, I'd look to replace it with a used one; they are easy to find even under free boats. Unless your time isn't worth much; my weekends are.

and if you are in salt water, scrap it. welding is risky.

 

[finx]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

I would use it maybe 6 times a year. I live in Northern Virginia not near any water.

I'm new to electric welding. I've always wanted to learn to mig and tig weld. My question:

can i use standard steel tubing or does it have to be galvenized? I could just paint the inside of it?

Should I replace the steel tubing with c channels so I can take care of any rust before it gets this bad agian?

 

[bitterboater]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

A trailer is not a place to learn to weld, unless your just learning a new technique, and have a good basis of knowledge before you start. That said, mild steel will work just fine for your purposes.
Galvanized is HIGHLY toxic to weld, unless you have the appropriate ventilation and breathing equipment (a dust mask isn't enough in this case).

I would, myself, rebuild what you have and than get a good paint job on it to help protect the new welds and bare steel.

 

[finx]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

the trailer is at my fathers house ad ill be bringing it over this weekend to work on it. besides the springs and shocks and a few rust spots I dont think I have a bad trailer on my hands. I'll post pics soon

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: new trailer or COMPLETE restoration

Springs and shocks are an easy fix. If the rust spots are surface rust and not rusted thru than that's an easy fix as well. At the least just sand the area and shoot it with some primer and paint. Or if your feeling ambitious get yourself a small sandblaster or have it blasted and repaint the whole thing and you'll have yourself a shiny new trailer.