Restroring 1956 Gator Trailer

[lmsmith]

I took my project boat off the trailer today (1956 DuraCraft Aluminum, see signature line) and I need to know what I should replace on the trailer. The trailer seems to be in really good shape. The tires look good, but I'll have them checked. The previous owner said they packed the bearings, but I'll go through them again. I don't know if the lights work, but the housings look almost new. I'll rewire the trailer. I'll recover the bunks, the wood seems to be in really good shape. The nose stop will be replaced and I plan to lube the winch.

So my questions are:

1) Should the black rubber rollers be replaced. They are hard as a rock and they get black all over your hands (aged/oxidized).
2) The angled swivel type bunks on the bottom of the trailer with carpet. Are they a good thing?
3) Should I use plastic skids on the horizontal bunks, or just carpet? Will plastic skids hurt the paint? Is any outdoor carpet okay?
4) Should I do anything with the leaf springs. (lube, replace bushings, etc)

Lord knows I'm so new to this that I don't know the correct termonology, so feel free to straighten me out.

Please look the pictures over and let me know if I missed anything. Thanks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Well the 1st question one always has to ask is how much do you want to spend on it. Do you just want to make it serviceable or do you want to refit it?

Go through it and make a list like you've started. Things you can tell that need to be done and then things that you would like to get done. Think saftey 1st. Serviceablity 2nd. Cosmetic last.

Check the tires, wheels, bearings, axle and mounting hardware for corrosion, wear and tightness. Chech the frame the same way and look at the welds for cracks. Next the bunks and rollers. Measure the width of the rollers. Long ago they used sizes that are no longer available.

I have only used carpet so I can't comment on anything else. Have seen a number of old trailers that have used those types of bunks and a few that were basically the same way only they used rollers at the end of the trailer instead of bunks. TeeNee was one of those.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Well I started grinding on the trailer to remove the rust and loose paint, doing a little at a time. Using a wire wheel on a grinder, followed by rust converter, followed by self etching primer, paint to come later.

Not much fun, but it looks a lot better when it's primed. I keep looking at the leaf springs and wonder if they have bushing that need to be replaced.

I still haven't got a reply on whether the keel rollers needed to be replaced. There hard as a rock, are they supposed to be. I question if the bunk boards that are near the keel, the ones that are hinged are the best thing for the boat. I wonder if they should be rollers.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

I still haven't got a reply on whether the keel rollers needed to be replaced. There hard as a rock, are they supposed to be. I question if the bunk boards that are near the keel, the ones that are hinged are the best thing for the boat. I wonder if they should be rollers.

The rollers if hard and chalky should be replaced which is why I mentioned measuring them and that some sizes are no longer available. As for the bushings, the only real way to tell would be to pull a spring and check the condition. Also here again from what I've learned from an old trailer the old rubber bushings are no longer available as all new springs are equipt with a nylon type bushing. Now those bunks at the rear, whether carpet or roller I really don't see as it would make a difference. You are still going to get the same amount of support. I see no advantage either way. What would be better would be to remove those bunks and replace them with longer bunks that would run from the transom forward as all the new trailers use. Anyway, that is the way I would do it!

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Hey bonz, Thanks for keeping up with me. Yep, the rollers are an odd size, 6.25 inches. A trailer place here in town said we might be able to cut some down to fit.

I took the axle off today and of course the leaf spring bushings are bad, big time. So, sounds like from what you said I may be on a wild goose chase again for some bushings. The bonus here is that I may be able to turn some delrin bushing on my lathe, if delrin would suffice for bushings. Any thoughts on using delrin.

Running bunks all the way up the trailer may not be to bad. I guess I should just look at some other trailers and start welding supports in place and getter done, or is there a sience behind this? Do the bunks need to hing or just be rigid/solid?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Well it sounds as if you are very handy and have all the tools available. So again look over the frame very closely and as a welder you should know what to look for in the metal. If all is good then give'r what for!

Can't answer you about the Derlin as the ones the trailer shop showed me were a very hard firm plastic. I couldn't use them because the diameter of the bushing was too big to fit into the spring. But if you are able to turn them in a lathe then I would think that would be your best bet.

Again it sounds as though you are going to tear it down and start over? Which may be the easiest thing to do. I would strip it down, junk all the old hardware, roller and bunks. If you look here in the iboats store or BassPro Shops, Cabelas or such in the trailer section you will find brackets already formed in galvinized that just bolt on and are adjustable for hieght. Both for the rollers and the bunks. Then for the bunks themselves you will see that they also sell roller bunks which may interest you and they come with hardware for mounting them..

After looking at your pictures again you probably could save and reuse those front cradle bunks! Also the distance between the frame crossmembers looks a bit wide. Maybe add another crossmember with a keel roller and position it so that the front of the bunk will mount to it.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Well it sounds as if you are very handy and have all the tools available. So again look over the frame very closely and as a welder you should know what to look for in the metal. If all is good then give'r what for!

No, I'm not a welder, but I wished I was, so I'll need some help looking this over.

Again it sounds as though you are going to tear it down and start over? Which may be the easiest thing to do. I would strip it down, junk all the old hardware, roller and bunks.

I agree, and that's my plan.

I found some rust today as I was grinding the paint that goes all the way through. What do you think about it? I have the trailer flipped over so your looking at the bottom of the trailer. The spot is at the end of the trailer where the boat enters on to the trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

From the round tube and yellow paint I would guess to asy what you have there is the remains of a very early 1950s Gator trailer.

I would suggest cutting off the very end and try and get a better look at the steel and try to determine just how much rust there really is. If it looks good then have another angle welded back on.

Sad to say but from what I have learned of your trailer so far and the repairs that are needed in my opinion it might be cheaper to start watching graigslist for another trailer.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Sad to say but from what I have learned of your trailer so far and the repairs that are needed in my opinion it might be cheaper to start watching graigslist for another trailer.

hahahaha, already are. Kind of sad because I think the trailer is really neat. More to come.

By the way Bonz, thanks for taking the time to reply to my questions. Appears your my lone hope on either fixing or trashing this trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

So it seems! Guess the old addage that anything can be fixed just a matter of how much $$$$$$$.

If you are looking for a new used trailer a question I would ask you is what are the ramps like where you mostly will be using it ? Shallow, deep, gravel, concrete? Because if many are shallow then I would suggest looking for a tilt bed trailer. Makes it a lot easier!
BTW, I recently sold my old tilt that was in very nice condition, had been stripped, repainted, new rollers & bunks, new lights, new strap for $200.00 the only thing wrong with it was that the tires were starting to show cracking. So in my neck of the woods that is about the going price for an old used trailer.

Good luck, keep me posted!

 

[stevegrant1]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Replace the carpet. That one is out of style.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Replace the carpet. That one is out of style.

Not out of style......Vintage

 

[TMALEGA]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Well dang it this is just my luck. I just sold my old boat and trailer the boat was trash so i was really just selling the trailer and i live in oklahoma. Literally just handed it over about a hour ago. I wish i had seen this one before then, i know it wasnt you that bought this trailer as it was a good friend of mine for a spare boat he has laying around. I wish i could have helped you out instead though.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Well dang it this is just my luck. I just sold my old boat and trailer the boat was trash so i was really just selling the trailer and i live in oklahoma. Literally just handed it over about a hour ago. I wish i had seen this one before then, i know it wasnt you that bought this trailer as it was a good friend of mine for a spare boat he has laying around. I wish i could have helped you out instead though.

That's my luck. Thanks anyways.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

From the round tube and yellow paint I would guess to asy what you have there is the remains of a very early 1950s Gator trailer....

You nailed it. I took the keel rollers off tonight and they were marked Gator Trailer.

I'm still grinding away, spraying with rust converter, wiping with mineral spirits and then spraying with self etching primer. I almost have the bottom done, hope to have all the paint ground off by Tuesday.

I'm using a Norton RapidStrip disc, which I love, and I'm using a wire wheel to get the welds and hard to reach spots. Both are on 4 1/2 grinders from Harbor Freight ($9.99 ea) I'm also using a wire brush.

I also bought a respirator at Lowes, I was much more comfortable breathing today, I'd been using a dust mask, but it wasn't doing good enough..

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

So did you come up with a plan yet for the keel rollers and bunks?

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

I refited a 1962 gator, found everything at West Marine as far as rollers and fittings. I used a sand washer to strip the paint no dust left a mess in the lot where I washed. Had no rust so was a good thing. Good luck with your trailer.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

So did you come up with a plan yet for the keel rollers and bunks?

Closest keel roller I can find is 7 inches. I'm going to buy one and try using my bench top belt sander to grind it down to 6 1/4 inches.

I'm going to leave the bunks as the are. I figure if I decide to convert to horizontal bunks on the bottom then I'll probably just buy a new/used trailer.

I flipped the trailer over tonight to start on the other side, I was hoping to be further along, but...........had to much fun this labor day weekend.

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

I refited a 1962 gator, found everything at West Marine as far as rollers and fittings. I used a sand washer to strip the paint no dust left a mess in the lot where I washed. Had no rust so was a good thing. Good luck with your trailer.

What's a Sand Washer?

 

[lmsmith]

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Re: Re-doing Trailer What Should I Replace

Today I also started to paint the bunks, these are original to the trailer. I wasn't sure, but as I sanded on them I noticed that one was marked "T Gator" I'm using Kilz primer that I had laying around, it's latex. I'm trying to decide whether I want to put a top coat of latex paint to finish them off. Right now I'm leaning towards just the primer.