Trailer Repairs

[Devilman]

So it begins.... After owning this thing 14 years, finally getting around to some trailer repairs. Specifically, the rear cross member. It has been pulled out of shape since I got it, but over the years dragging it here and there it has gradually gotten worse. A blowout I had at the end of last summer contributed the state it's in now, which makes even me uncomfortable, lol. Sooo, taking it to a buddy's house where we're gonna attempt to cut the old cross member out and replace it. I'll try to get some progress pics and update later.

Ended up incorporating a camping trip to the lake so I'd have a convenient place for the boat to hopefully make the job go faster. Wish me luck haha  :smile20:

 

[customtouch]

Can't tell by the picture but if it is a straight bar across it should be a fairly simple job (key word is should). LOL!! If it has an arch to it that changes things unless you happen to find a replacement bar somewhere. Pretty creative excuse to go to the lake though!!  LOL!!

 

[Drumzilla]

Way to go Kenny... clap.gif

I always go to calmer side of Lake Conroe on a weekday to do my trailer repairs.. and I've rattle canned a few there too...

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

Way to go Kenny .. Did you get any after pics ?

 

[Patchman]

Man, I didn't recall it being that bad! Wow, it is definitely time to get that thing fixed.  :smile26:

 

[Devilman]

Can't tell by the picture but if it is a straight bar across it should be a fairly simple job (key word is should). LOL!! If it has an arch to it that changes things unless you happen to find a replacement bar somewhere. Pretty creative excuse to go to the lake though!!  LOL!!

No, it wasn't a straight shot across, although my buddy did attempt to convince me to do that. Not sure if he was kidding or not, but had to go back like it was so they'd all match. My OCD wouldn't allow anything else, lol.

 

[Devilman]

Way to go Kenny... clap.gif

I always go to calmer side of Lake Conroe on a weekday to do my trailer repairs.. and I've rattle canned a few there too...

Thanks man, but the other Kenny did most of the work, I was the helper/gofer on this deal. The thought of rattle canning the trailer did cross my mind but time didn't allow for it, still may do it though.

 

[Patchman]

Pics man, we need pics of the after math! :smile17:

 

[Devilman]

Way to go Kenny .. Did you get any after pics ?

Thanks Billy, been putting it off for awhile, glad to have it done. It's not 100% done yet but I do have some progress pics to post. Will get some more after it's completely done though.

 

[Devilman]

Man, I didn't recall it being that bad! Wow, it is definitely time to get that thing fixed.  :smile26:

You haven't seen it since that blow out I mentioned I don't think. But yeah, it was getting pretty sketchy.

Pics man, we need pics of the after math! :smile17:

Workin on it now, gotta get them off my phone.  :smile14:

 

[Patchman]

Rotary phones don't take pics man! crazy.gif

 

[Devilman]

No wonder I had such a hard time getting pics.  :smile20: :smile28:

 

[Patchman]

So when you and Kenny talk to each other, do you call each other Kenny? :smile21: think.gif

 

[Devilman]

It was pretty straight forward operation, so the pics can pretty much speak for themselves. Ryan came along and pitched in as well, was good to have the extra eyes/hands/input.  :smile17:

 

[Devilman]

Not the greatest, but all I have for the after so far. I still have some work to do, but boat sits on it good and made the trip home. Didn't have time for much else, but I'm happy with what got done so far.

 

[Devilman]

So when you and Kenny talk to each other, do you call each other Kenny? :smile21: think.gif

Uh yeah...?  crazy.gif

 

[Devilman]

So for a bit of detail, the cross members are 3 pieces of channel iron welded together to get the shape they are in... The one we put in, we took the channel iron, notched it, bent it to get the angle & close the gap, then welded it up. Kenny added a small backer plate on the inside as well. Had to make new bunk supports as mine were beyond saving and replaced one of the front buck supports as it was toast as well. Probably would have done them all, but we were running short on time. We also took a note from George from when he did his trailer work (back when he had a boat ) and added a piece of angle iron on each side, going from the side rail to the cross member to act as gussets, hopefully giving it some extra strength to keep it from getting pulled out of shape again. You can see them in the last few pics.

I get back to work on it I'll document the rest of the job and get some proper "after" pics.

One thing I am considering, is painting the trailer black... instead of trying to match the crusty old red thats on there now. Any thoughts on a non matching trailer? I don't think it would look bad... think.gif

 

[Patchman]

Just paint it black!  :smile30:

 

[Devilman]

Just paint it black!  :smile30:

I'm sure thinking about it. Be easy to touch up in the future too, lol.  bling.gif :smile16:

 

[oldbuck40]

Dang! I cant believe you finally fixed it. I never noticed on your truck but do you pull it from a ball on the bumper or a drop hitch? Pulling it dang near level would greatly increase the life of the new crossmember.