Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

[jtsaltwaterboating]

My brackets that are supporting the wood bunks have finally come to an end. I would appreciate any suggest on how to repair or replace those bracket. Keep in mind those brackets are rusted to the core.

Boat size: 17cc seapro fiberglass 90hp engine

 

[outdoorsman10]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

Find someone with some scrap steel, welder and some spare time.....Sorry!

 

[rickryder]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

Depends on your capabilities... Can you turn a wrench? Do you have tools? Can you fabricate? Weld? Lots of possibilities but depends on what you can handle and or how much money you have for your repairs....

 

[jtsaltwaterboating]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

thats my only option so far but one problem came up with welding. Where I can leave the boat. The area i stay isn't boat friendly

 

[rickryder]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

That leaves a lot to the imagination....size of boat? can you drop it in your yard? Leave it at someones house? A friend have a pond,live on a lake or lagoon?

 

[outdoorsman10]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

thats my only option so far but one problem came up with welding. Where I can leave the boat. The area i stay isn't boat friendly

There has to be a boat yard near by with some guys who'll do a good job cheap for cash.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

There has to be a boat yard near by with some guys who'll do a good job cheap for cash.

I agree, if you can't rent a slip or anchor the boat for a couple hours your pretty much hosed, what you have there is a couple hours work but the boat has to be off the trailer to do the work. you can get the parts here on iboats:
http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Trailer-...9142893--**********.536146788--view_id.238464
but again the boat needs to be off the trailer to get the work done regardless if you weld or bolt the new brackets on, I would also suggest replacing the bunks just to be sure you don't damage the boat unless they have been replaced recently. Another possibility is to see if you can rent jack stands to lift the boat off the trailer and do the work in your driveway

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

Before going further, make sure the rest of the trailer is good enough to invest the time and money needed.
Picture #3.......looks like a step plate on top of the frame rail.
Frame rail looks maybe punky under that step. Check everywhere to see how badly there is rust eating away from the inside out too.
Galvanized trailers can look okay until the last moment.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

thats my only option so far but one problem came up with welding. Where I can leave the boat. The area i stay isn't boat friendly

Ayuh,... Jack up 1 side of the hull,...
Repair the side of the wagon daylighted,...
Then jack the Otherside, 'n finish the job...

 

[kmarine]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

I find the easiest way to make repairs like this is to jack up the boat wtih the trailer together. Then block the boat on styrofoam 4x4 cribing or jackstands. then lower trailer down. you can even remove tires if you need extra space. I have used this method several times.

You can then have werlder come out, or buy or fabricate brackets and use u bolts to install them. Special size u bolts can be made at a spring shop. I like this method because if you punch holes every inch on your brackets you can adjust height. I like to use "C" channel myself and angle iron for pivot bunk brackets. I have used this method on my 30 foot trailer and was able to adjust bunks when a friend borrowed the trailer to move his boat to a new state.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

I find the easiest way to make repairs like this is to jack up the boat wtih the trailer together. Then block the boat on styrofoam 4x4 cribing or jackstands. then lower trailer down. you can even remove tires if you need extra space. I have used this method several times.

You can then have werlder come out, or buy or fabricate brackets and use u bolts to install them. Special size u bolts can be made at a spring shop. I like this method because if you punch holes every inch on your brackets you can adjust height. I like to use "C" channel myself and angle iron for pivot bunk brackets. I have used this method on my 30 foot trailer and was able to adjust bunks when a friend borrowed the trailer to move his boat to a new state.

Now that is a great idea! I never thought of lifting the boat and trailer together then dropping the trailer once the boat is secured!

 

[gstanton]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

From the looks of of those hangers, you'll want to take a very close look at your springs, shackles and hangers for all that as well.

 

[Evinbuck]

Re: Trailer Repair - Bracket Rusted

Agree the trailer needs a complete evaluation if that much rust decay has happened to the brackets. If the brackets are the only bad things then jacking one side up at a time, removing the brackets and bunk and replacing them is the way to go. I recently redone my trailer, taking the boat off and converting it from a roller type to bunk. I fabricated all new brackets as I have a welder. If you took your old rusted brackets to a welding shop they could fabricate new ones (lefts and rights) for both sides. Good luck