repair suggestions needed

[sasto]

Will be leaving FL soon to pick up a 4000lb boat on a duel axle trailer which is in NJ. The PO has informed me a crack has developed on a weight bearing section of the trailer made of galvinized alum. I would like to have the trailer looked at by a remote welder. The trailer isn't going anywhere as it sits. I must locate a person in the area to fix this. Any suggestions on how to locate one, and also is it advisable to repair. Thanks.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: repair suggestions needed

I would seriously doubt it is galvanized aluminum. Galvanized steel , is fairly easy to repair. Look up a trailer shop in the area, and have them take a look at it, or find a shop that has a welding truck to go fix it.

nj portable welding

 

[oldjeep]

Re: repair suggestions needed

I'd be a little nervous about a trailer that is cracking on a load bearing section. Why did it crack? Overloaded, rusted? I'd make sure that if you have it welded that the welder has the materials to sleeve the affected area if possible, or at least box it.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: repair suggestions needed

I would also inspect this trailer very carefully for any other problems. If the trailer is cracked it could be extremely weak in other places and you don't want it to break on that long drive back to FL....

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: repair suggestions needed

If it's aluminum and the frame is cracked then the trailer should probably be junked.

-E

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

The PO says galvanized, I just assumed it is alum. Planning on having a welder look at it, just wasn't sure where to start looking. The PO is deceased and the family wants me to have the boat, a 25 Penn Yan. A year ago brakes, tires, bearings redone. The family is sending me photos of the problem. What would a used trailer cost and what would be the possibility of finding one between DE and NJ. Not having much luck finding one. Going to hire somebody to give me an estimate on it. I could float the boat down here with more knowledge than trailering. Thanks guys, I will take your advice and warnings.

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Look up a trailer shop in the area, and have them take a look at it, or find a shop that has a welding truck to go fix it.

nj portable welding

Thanks, a portable welder is looking at it. I found one.

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

I'd be a little nervous about a trailer that is cracking on a load bearing section. Why did it crack? Overloaded, rusted? I'd make sure that if you have it welded that the welder has the materials to sleeve the affected area if possible, or at least box it.

I AM nervous, oldjeep. I relayed to the welder your statements. Can't judge much over the phone but he seems professional. Thanks for the help, and I might as well say thanks from the others you have helped while I'm at it.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Have them weld a doubler on it she should be fine.....

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Have them weld a doubler on it she should be fine.....

I will look that up, Thanks.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Sorry , should have been more clear-

A doubler is kinda like a mending plate that goes over and past the area of the crack. It is welded on past the point of failure, and distributes the stress beyond the area of failure. Welds are stress points as well, so it is a good idea not to weld the crack, but to weld on a doubler and distribute the stress to points further away from the crack. Make sense?

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Sorry , should have been more clear-

A doubler is kinda like a mending plate that goes over and past the area of the crack. It is welded on past the point of failure, and distributes the stress beyond the area of failure. Welds are stress points as well, so it is a good idea not to weld the crack, but to weld on a doubler and distribute the stress to points further away from the crack. Make sense?

Makes sense to me. I'm not a welder and am relying on somebody miles away to make decisions for me. I relayed to the welder how important it is to me for him to do the best job he can. If a few extra bucks, and your advice, will keep me and others safe, all the better. Thanks again.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Will be leaving FL soon to pick up a 4000lb boat on a duel axle trailer which is in NJ..

wanna tow my boat up from FL towards eastern WV

its a 22 foot pontoon on 2008 tandem axle trailer....PM me if interested

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Anything is possible...rentprop, the PO family sent me this photo of the trailer "crack". . I would like to get this boat back to FL.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Anything is possible...rentprop, the PO family sent me this photo of the trailer "crack". . I would like to get this boat back to FL. View attachment 61332

I'm sorry to tell you this but that isn't a crack but rather that is a junk rusted out trailer...... get another trailer to haul the boat home on..... those tubes rust from the inside out and there will be EXTENSIVE rust in many other areas of the frame that you can't see.... You will have one spot fixed and very likely have a failure on another part that looks perfect now

Read this Another iboats member had a rude awakening that could easily have killed someone had it happened on the road

 

[onwaves]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Agree...rusted not cracked and not worth taking chances with. get an aluminum trailer.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: repair suggestions needed

Gotta agree with Smoke here. Rust dimples forming on the mid section of the tubes, not good at all. Bring a fresh trailer with you to pick it up....

Yup , the PO is on crack!

Waiting to see what the welder guy has to say though, things look a lot different in person...

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: repair suggestions needed

A good metal guy can fix anything....he could replace 10' of the frame with new tube steel if he has to. Dont get nervous yet.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: repair suggestions needed

nope that trailer is done.... You could have a new trailer built and reuse rollers and brackets and such but the cost to pay someone to do that or repair this to the point that you could SAFELY tow it esp. that distance would far exceed the cost of a good used trailer....


I wouldn't be surprised at all if a local welder would repair the obvious damage and send you on your way.... Now on the other hand I WOULD be surprised if he gave you a written guarantee that the whole trailer was roadworthy and safe


If you were local to me I would drop my carver on the dirt and let you use my trailer just to keep that thing off the highway.... maybe you can find someone local who would loan you a trailer

 

[sasto]

Re: repair suggestions needed

That's kind of you, smokeonthewater. I am about half attempted to float her to Florida. When I get her here she will either go on the lift or tied up to the dock. I can rent a trailer locally by the day or week if need to be. Still working on a solution.