Trailer repairs

[bkedman]

I split one of the runners on my boat trailer trying to qualify for the 'boat ramp olympics' recently. It looks to me like a relatively easy repair once I figure out how to get the boat off the trailer without water.

Problems is where do I quit? I mean there is at least one of the main supports that should be replaced (rusting through), the tail lights leak, the wiring is stiff and brittle, the crank has to be manually locked. Not to mention it's just plain ugly.

Tires are brand new and I replaced the cable on the crank and went through a fair amount of effort to get the thing registered in WA about a year ago.

At what point am I better off getting a new trailer? How hard is it to 'fit' a trailer to a boat (18' NR flat bottom sled)? What is a ball park price for such a trailer?

If I opt to repair my old one any idea where to rent/borrow a trailer to store my boat while I do the repairs?

Thanks in advance

[ET]

I'm kind of in the same situation right now. I'm looking at about $400 in trailer parts to bring it back to serviceable. A new trailer for my boat is probably $2k so I figure I will just repair the trailer.

I have a floor jack so my plan is to just jack up my trailer/boat and replace the pieces one by one.

I'd be happy to give you a hand. I like to think of myself as a decent shade tree mechanic.

[infinity]

Several years ago i had to repair the bottom of my glass boat and had to get it off of the trailor. The person actually doing the glass work told me how to remove the boat. Basically, you must build 3 cradels ( he recommended 2x4 but i used 2x6). I cut the 2x6 into either 16" or 18" pieces, and nailed them into squares, ie 2 in one direction and then 2 on top in the other direction, forming a box.

Drop the trailor as low as it will go and build the 2 stern cradels as high as necessary to just fit under each corner of the stern. Now raise the trailor as high as it will go and slide the trailor out from under the boat with the 3rd cradel being placed under the keel at roughly 2/3 of the way out. ( you will need to put weight on the trailor tongue during this process)

You now have the boat supported at 3 points which is very secure and the trailor is out from under the boat and is totally able to be fixed.

When replacing the boat on the trailor, you do not pull the boat onto the trailor but rather pull the trailor under the boat, again keeping extra weight on the tongue.

I'm sure you must think that this is not a wise solution, i didn't think so either, so i suggest you stop by some repair shops and ask about this process.

[rum runner]

How about just launching the boat and tying it up somewhere (shore, marina....) fix the trailer while the boat is in the water. I did this myself last year without any issues.

[bkedman]

I'm kind of in the same situation right now. I'm looking at about $400 in trailer parts to bring it back to serviceable. A new trailer for my boat is probably $2k so I figure I will just repair the trailer.

I have a floor jack so my plan is to just jack up my trailer/boat and replace the pieces one by one.

I'd be happy to give you a hand. I like to think of myself as a decent shade tree mechanic.

That would be great :meme: PM'd with some contact information.

[bkedman]

How about just launching the boat and tying it up somewhere (shore, marina....) fix the trailer while the boat is in the water. I did this myself last year without any issues.

That's actually how I got my trailer registered was by leaving it in the Washugal marina overnight. My concern here is how long it will take me to do the repairs.

[weekender]

An 18' flatbottom sled? You could just slide that boat off the trailer an leave it on the ground while your doing the work.

Used Galvanized trailers seem to go for $800-$900. That might be a good option, but you'll have to keep your eyes peeled.