Trailer wheel well cover things....

[ultra_1968]

I don't really know what you call them, but I have (had) plywood covered with carpet over the fender wells. One has rotted completely off and the other is just as close.

I'm making a template, and then replacing with plywood.

Q. Should I cover the plywood with a sealent? If so, what do you suggest?

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

use 1/2 to 3/4 inch marine grade plywood and you shouldn't need to seal it with anything since it only gets wet when it rains or the 5 minuites it sits in the water to unload and load the boat. most sealers like deck sealent and stuff like that are only good for a few months any way, let's face it who is going to do that for $30 of ply wood that will last 10 years any way.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

If it were me and I was not going to use marine grade wood I would use a pressure treated wood (exterior grade) and paint it with an oil based paint then cover with carpet. I am not saying this is the correct way but it is what I would do.

 

[ultra_1968]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

Thanks guys.
Where does one find "marine grade" wood, if you're in a land locked state? I'm just a Lowes/Home Depot guy. I don't expect it to last forever, and doing either will probably outlast how long I own this boat. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[justchecking]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

I just redid my second trailer. I used 1/2" pressure treated plywood from Lowes. I mixed 60 minute epoxy (from Lowes) thinned 50% with 91% isopropyl alcohol from Walgreens and painted it on with a disposable chip brush. The epoxy seals the wood. I use alcohol because it's cheap, readily available, and doesn't smell bad. I then covered the plywood with outdoor carpet (again from Lowes). I did my other trailer 6 years ago and the plywood and carpet stored outside look like new.

I like sealing the wood so it doesn't rust my screws or fenders and it also seems to help the carpet last longer. Just my experience.

Oh, I also splurged on Monel staples but I heard others have good luck with regular staples.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

dont use regular staples because after 6 months to a year, half of them are rusty after the first year they will start to come loose and then it's no good. better to pay a few extra dollars now then do it over again in a year or 2

 

[ultra_1968]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

Okay, here's my plan. Please let me know if I'm not seeing the whole picture.
The cover over the wheel well is about 27'' long and 9" inches high at the apex. Sooo, my plan is to make a template, and then using a plasma torch, cut a piece out of 1/8" sheet metal. Then using a mig welder, attach it to the bolt tabs from the back side while the tire is off. Then come back and glue the carpet to the front side with an adhesive (adhesive suggestions welcome).
Am I overlooking anything?

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

sounds good to me i love my uncles plasma, he don't like the electric bill though. as for the adhesive, i dont think that carpet adhesive would work since your going on smooth metal.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

A couple of coats of contact adhesive works great.

 

[ultra_1968]

Re: Trailer wheel well cover things....

Would it be wise to "scratch up" the smooth surface with a grinder or some other tool to get a better "grip"?