Check your fenders

[bigredglass]

Just a heads up, be sure to check your fenders on your ranger trailers. My 03 fenders a gotten a little loose and I didn't notice it until both my fenders started to crack a little around the step. I'm so mad at myself for not catching this. They're not real loose but bad enough to let the fenders flex and crack the gel a little. I'm even more mad that I didn't go ahead and order those 2 BNIB fenders I seen on ebay last year for $450 for both. I don't know what to do to fix these. I don't want to replace them with the new style fenders and I'm told ranger doesn't make these any more. I knew I should've jumped on that pair on ebay. They were identical to mine.

[Jeff Hahn]

The fender bolts might loosen a little, but not nearly as much as the pop-rivets that hold the carpeted inner bunk in place. The inner bunk helps provide structural stiffness to the fender. So, if the pop-rivets have loosened, replace them with bolts, fender washers and nuts...preferably brass, so they won't rust. I had to do this on both of my rangers. When the pop-rivets got loose, you could see the fenders flex on a bumpy road.

[bigredglass]

The fender bolts might loosen a little, but not nearly as much as the pop-rivets that hold the carpeted inner bunk in place. The inner bunk helps provide structural stiffness to the fender. So, if the pop-rivets have loosened, replace them with bolts, fender washers and nuts...preferably brass, so they won't rust. I had to do this on both of my rangers. When the pop-rivets got loose, you could see the fenders flex on a bumpy road.

Thanks for the info Jeff. Both were loose on mine.

[TOXIC]

Brass instead of stainless?

[mikesxpress]

They can/do loosen up or they could have been installed like mine were?
That wasn't holding very well??

[reelmin5]

They can/do loosen up or they could have been installed like mine were?
That wasn't holding very well??

Can you say wallowed out?

[mikesxpress]

Nope. Can't say that on these. Note that the ragged area is SMALLER/not larger than the rest of the slot. The washers can't pass thru. This is the way the holes were "chewed thru" on all of the brackets. The steel washer/poly washer were both tight to the fiberglass on the rear mount for each fender and the carriage bolt head seated in the glass under the step pad so they were tightened down prior to attaching it to the trailer?? Hummmm???

[gerrys]

I just rebuilt my tandem entirely. I used big headed rivets to reattach the fenders, but drilled/installed in new holes in between the old ones as some of the holes had been enlarged.

[STRETCH1]

The fender bolts might loosen a little, but not nearly as much as the pop-rivets that hold the carpeted inner bunk in place. The inner bunk helps provide structural stiffness to the fender. So, if the pop-rivets have loosened, replace them with bolts, fender washers and nuts...preferably brass, so they won't rust. I had to do this on both of my rangers. When the pop-rivets got loose, you could see the fenders flex on a bumpy road.

Wont bolts scratch your boat?

[mikesxpress]

Stainless bolts/washers/locknuts. The domed head bolts work fine and pull down into the carpet. Rivets will work loose just like the OEM ones. These glass fenders shake like crazy if they get loose.

Attachment 153647

[cwilt]

Mine have been loose for a while (carpeted bunks). I did not know that they provide structural stability to them. Thanks for the info. I will now fix them. Stainless domed bolts....at home Depot or lowes???

[mikesxpress]

I got my all of hardware on Ebay. Less time for me running around looking at the hardware stores to find the right stuff. Get the larger washers for inside the fenders as you will be securing the fiberglass and will want to distribute the torque over a larger area. Tighten down snug and then run them for awhile till the fender "seats" then snug one more time. Done.

[cwilt]

I got my all of hardware on Ebay. Less time for me running around looking at the hardware stores to find the right stuff. Get the larger washers for inside the fenders as you will be securing the fiberglass and will want to distribute the torque over a larger area. Tighten down snug and then run them for awhile till the fender "seats" then snug one more time. Done.

Great advice, thanks

[Jeff Hahn]

Stainless bolts/washers/locknuts. The domed head bolts work fine and pull down into the carpet. Rivets will work loose just like the OEM ones. These glass fenders shake like crazy if they get loose.

Attachment 153647

Small bolts or domed head screws will work. Just be sure to put a big fender washer under the bolt or screw head so they do not pull through the carpet and wood of the side bunk. As noted, once they are tightened down, they will pull down the carpet so they are recessed below the carpet around them. I used stainless, but they rusted over time. That's why I suggested brass.

[CantSwim]

Just a heads up, be sure to check your fenders on your ranger trailers. My 03 fenders a gotten a little loose and I didn't notice it until both my fenders started to crack a little around the step. I'm so mad at myself for not catching this. They're not real loose but bad enough to let the fenders flex and crack the gel a little. I'm even more mad that I didn't go ahead and order those 2 BNIB fenders I seen on ebay last year for $450 for both. I don't know what to do to fix these. I don't want to replace them with the new style fenders and I'm told ranger doesn't make these any more. I knew I should've jumped on that pair on ebay. They were identical to mine.

I have a 1999 camanche tandem axle trailer with beat to s*!t fenders that I want to replace. I was told to call Ranger to see if they still made them and they do. Told me it would take 2-6 weeks to make.

Ranger Parts (800) 724-7273

[bigredglass]

I have a 1999 camanche tandem axle trailer with beat to s*!t fenders that I want to replace. I was told to call Ranger to see if they still made them and they do. Told me it would take 2-6 weeks to make.

Ranger Parts (800) 724-7273

Do you know what they charge for them? Thanks for the info.

[mikesxpress]

I have a 1999 camanche tandem axle trailer with beat to s*!t fenders that I want to replace. I was told to call Ranger to see if they still made them and they do. Told me it would take 2-6 weeks to make.

Ranger Parts (800) 724-7273

If mine finally crack to the point I can't touch them up with gelcoat anymore then they would get replaced with aluminum or stainless fenders and the trailer maintenance would be reduced by half.

[CantSwim]

Do you know what they charge for them? Thanks for the info.

I believe they were a little over $650 per fender.

[CantSwim]

If mine finally crack to the point I can't touch them up with gelcoat anymore then they would get replaced with aluminum or stainless fenders and the trailer maintenance would be reduced by half.

That is what I figured I would do instead.

[bigredglass]

Mine are not bad yet but I'd hate to wait and then not be able to get any. Ill try to post pics if it can be seen in pics. It's just a few cracks about 6 inches long around the rear step. I wish I had caught this and prevented the cracks. My fenders are in good shape otherwise.