So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

[gunner1]

As some of you may know from my other posts, I've had a had time finding new hubs for my trailer that fit right. Finally, I ordered some new ones and rims/tires and the hub fit perfect! I go to mount the wheel and guess what- it hits the front edge of the fender!! SO I'm contemplating removing the fenders altogether. The boat is aluminum so I don't think that there would be any "road rash" from towing it. Are there any drawbacks at all?

 

[tommays]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

Is it legal to have no fenders You would be surprised how many and how HARD tires throw Stones


Tommays

 

[WaterWitch2]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

What about the "road rash" on the cars behind you?

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

What about a blow out? All of that rubber slapping your boat could cost you a whole lot of headaches and money. Some insurance companies won't even insure a boat with a trailer that doesn't have fenders. If it's that much of a problem .... beat the fenders in with an 8 pound hammer until you get a couple inches of clearance. I would rather have a shabby trailer with beaten fenders than one without them.

 

[rheagler]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

I agree with Tommays and WaterWitch, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near you with luckyinkentucky's blow out scenerio. Just my opinion.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

In my state (ohio) you must have fenders on trailers. Rocks will chip your gelcoat( duh, no gelcoat) but they make dings. You can make longer/higher fender brackets. Shouldn't be that big a deal. iBoats sells generic fenders cheap for trailers. Your local TSC sells them also.

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

If you're that worried about the clearance you could make your own fenders pretty cheap. I've seen it a few times around here. You can't have a boat trailer on the road that is over 10' without fenders of some sort. A lot of people around here just make their own out of pressed steel with a plywood sideboard towards the trailer. Tack it a few times with the welder on either end, put a brace in the middle, and throw some cheap paint on it. A $30 project that might take a Saturday afternoon.

 

[happycamper]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

You definitely want fenders. I just had a Carlisle trailer tire blow out at 65mph 3 weeks ago. The steel fender was beaten badly, but the boat had no damage.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

It usually isn't that hard to raise them.

 

[gunner1]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

Decided to do a little " massaging " with an eight pound sledge. Now the rim/tire fit just fine!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: So, does anyone run their trailer WITHOUT fenders??

Decided to do a little " massaging " with an eight pound sledge. Now the rim/tire fit just fine!

Sounds like a good idea. I would not recommend not having fenders on your trailer.