Switching to fiberglass fenders???

[07SkeeterZX225]

Was headed to Dale Hollow today on our yearly week long fishing trip and my dumb ass hit a concrete pole when we stopped to fuel up. Messed up the fender pretty bad and bent the front axle torsion arm. Boat is at the dealers gettig the torsion arm repaired, but I'm going to take care of the fender. Has anyone swapped from metal to fiberglass fenders on a newer model ZX series boat (EZ Loader trailer). I know the metal fenders are welded on and the fiberglass would have to be bolted, but just wondering if it has or can be done. Thanks.

[TonyMc]

Be a perfect time to go stainless.

[07SkeeterZX225]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TonyMc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Be a perfect time to go stainless. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Is that something that can be bought from Skeeter or EZ Loader?

[TonyMc]

I would assume you could get them from EZ loader.
I'm not sure how they would go on though. You would have to take it in to a fab shop to get the old ones off and new ones welded back on, but it sure would look good.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

They are actually a poly fender not fiberglass. Alot more forgiving. I know the hard way had a lady hit mine in the parking lot and all it did was scratch them. Fiberglass would have shattered. She actually came out on the water and found me and told me what had happened.

It would be a great time to change. I would contact Easy Loader to see what can be done if they will be interchangable.

[Neilslure]

Not sure if it could be done since trailers with metal fenders have the steps welded on, poly fenders have the integrated step. You can get stainless fenders from EZ Loader and they bolt on. Upgrade to stainless fenders when I ordered my boat was about $800, well worth it IMO.

[Ron S]

When it comes to metal anything can be done. Cut the old welds with a die grinder and set the new fender in place, mark the new mounting brackets pull the fenders from the brackets and weld up the brackets. That is easy enough if you can weld. Now is where the fun part begins. You look at all that burnt paint peeling off from the heat of welding and the areas that the old fender does not line up with the new, It is now time to decide if you want to sand down the whole trailer and paint it or try to match the paint you have and live with the imperfection. You could get creative and change up the colors and add graphics to the remodeled area. This can look very nice with a little thought and preparation.

Or you can call EZE loader and see if they still can match your fender and send you a new one. with a snip here and a few small welds that can be hidden easy your back to stock with no one the wiser.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 07SkeeterZX225 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my dumb ass hit a concrete pole when we stopped to fuel up. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Those things move when your not looking And it only happens to me when the wife is sitting next to me. LOL

[Ron S]

Oh yah, who is designing these damn gas stations that only a vw bug can get in to??????

[07SkeeterZX225]

Thanks for the replies guys. Really bad part is this is our week long trip my dad and I take down there every spring. We've really been looking forward to this one, and then this happens. Oh well chit happens (usually to me, it seems). Hopefully the dealer can get the part for the torsion axle this week and I'll get it home this weekend.

[07SkeeterZX225]

Spoke with the mechanic this morning and he said it looked like the complete front axle assy. was bent about 1/8". He's going to drop the axle from the trailer so he can get some better measurements and be completely sure. If anyone is ever around Morristown or Bean Station,TN (on Cherokee Lake) and needs help, go to Linda's Lakeside Marine. A great group of individuals to do business with!!