Rust on Trailer

[dlewis10]

Quick question. I own a 1993 Champion with a single axle trailer. The trailer is in fairly good shape except for some significant rusting on and around the bunk brackets where they are welded to the trailer. I would like to fix or repair these areas before spring season gets here. I have never done any cosmetic work like this and was wondering if it it something I can do myself, or should this be left to a professional. I probably will be replacing the bunks as well; I have a friend who did his years ago and has some experience there. I'm more concerned with the integrity of the welded brackets to the trailer itself. Any advice ?? Thanks a bunch.

[mcherry]

[texas c]

MCHERRY---you realy helped the boy out a lot--now he knows what to do..!!

Wish I knew what to tell you !!

[mcherry]

HEY GENIOUS THE POPCORN MEANS...I'm waiting and want to get an answer too.
Your welcome and WELCOME to the BBC

[Jig A Low]

if possible, can you post some pics of the rusty areas, it will make it easier to advise you from there, depending on how bad it is, there are a couple of ways to correct it, worst case would be getting the boat off the trailer and replacing the bracket mounts with new steel and painting them. not too hard if you can find someone who know how to do it. if you need advise on getting the boat off the trailer let me know, I've got some pics from when I pulled mine to replace one of the cross members.

[mcherry]

Thanks Perry

[dlewis10]

I love the humor on these boards. Thanks for the replies. I will try to get some pic's posted. Boats stored away in the warehouse of my part time job. I believe I'm scheduled to work this Sunday. I'll try to sneek and get a couple of pic's to post. I'm hoping it's not as bad as I'm thinking. It would be nice if it was just some surface rusting. Well see. And yes, it would be nice to see how to lift/get the boat off the trailer while stored. Be back on Sunday evening with pic's to post.

[HalBrown]

Once you have the bunk brackets cleaned/replaced, prime them and coat them with a small can of either spray on or brush on truck bed liner from Trac Auto.

[mcherry]

My real problem is my brackets are rusted really bad. I need to just replace them and then have the whole trailer sprayed with line-x...My neighbor down the street owns the Line-x here by me and told me that he will give me a hell of deal(trade deal)...Just talked to him the other day about it. I need to get the boat off the trailer and sand or sandblast the trailer, weld on new brackets, spray, replace bunks and new carpet. few challenges ahead of me right now like all this cold and rain every 3 days

[dlewis10]

Hey mcherry,

I have been thinking of the line x spray as well. It's nice to see you have a good friend willing to help you out. Is there any way you can give me a ball park figure, or ask your friend what it would approximately cost ?? I'm guessing most of the cost is prep work that needds to be done on the trailer. I think I have read on line where some people got it done for about 1K ?? Good luck with your project. Let us know how things work out.

Dave

[mcherry]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dlewis10 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey mcherry,

I have been thinking of the line x spray as well. It's nice to see you have a good friend willing to help you out. Is there any way you can give me a ball park figure, or ask your friend what it would approximately cost ?? I'm guessing most of the cost is prep work that needds to be done on the trailer. I think I have read on line where some people got it done for about 1K ?? Good luck with your project. Let us know how things work out.

Dave</TD></TR></TABLE>
Will keep everyone posted

[dlewis10]

OK Gentleman, here are a couple of pic's from the bunk brackets at the rear of trailer:
[IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com




Thought's ????

[mcherry]

Yep thats what mine looks like. maybe even worst. at least you still have some paint on yours.
THOUGHTS

[catfish123]

I had similar rust at the same places on my Allison boat trailer. I took a dremmel with the small drum sander, very coarse paper, and sanded them all down the best I could. I then, with a brush, used Rustoleum primer and came back over that with Rustoleum paint. For now, they look fine and I would think I've extended their "life" by several more years at least.

[dlewis10]

I've had a tough time deciding what I sould do. I have guy here in my hometown that custom builds cargo/RTV trailers for a living. I made an appointment with him to look at it and give me an estimate of replacing all the brackets. Hopefully it wont be too expensive of an estimate. If it is - then maybe I'll be sanding and grinding myself.

[TGravo]

I had the same issues. Not sure what kind of trailer you guys have but mine was a painted tube steel trailer. The problem was I had a hole in the tube that it completely rusted out and there was severe bubbling around the lights as well which meant that there were serious problems all over. I actually decided to sell the trailer which I did yesterday and I bought a new aluminum trailer. Now it should last as long as I have the boat.

[Reelsore]

FYI, There is a company called Rolls Trailers that sells all aluminum and stainless steel trailers; they are expensive but it will be the last boat trailer ever bought. I also have a saltwater boat so rust and corrosion I fight all the time. They have stainless steel hubs, coil springs, U-bolts, etc. http://www.rollsaxle.com

[dlewis10]

Don't have that kind of money right now for a new trailer. The guy that builds trailers advised me to grind them down, primer, and paint them. He said there is enough metal there to work with. Someone over on the restoration forum recommended Por-15 to coat the brackets. After researching it, it looks like a great product. We'll be grinding and coating soon ! Thanks for all the helpful advice.