Trailer Makeover

[Razzman]

OK so the next step for me is to get the neglected 12 year old trailer back into presentable shape and good working order. The axle has been replaced, got disc brakes, new actuator, all new brakes lines, wiring and a new safety cable.

What's left? De-rusting and paint! I mistakenly thought the paint wasn't all that bad until i started pulling things off and really looked at it. First off were all the lights and fenders, then the diamond plate steps. If YOU have diamond plate steps i highly recommend you pull them off and look underneath, especially if you've an older boat! Notice all the dirt from years of launching, silt gets under the plates and rust starts. Notice the cleaned off picture and all the rust. The paint is bubbled and eating away at the metal, not good.

I'll be renovating this trailer back to new and post the progress pics so all can see exactly what is involved here.

[chpthril]

Good Idea for a thread, thanks Razz.

[scottcarlye]

I had the same problem with the diamond plate on my last trailer. Anywhere dissimilar metals touch it corrodes. Especially if you put it in brackish water. Same reason there are zincs on outdrives. Make sure to coat where they touch real well. A layer of epoxy and grommets in the bolt holes will slow down the rust. I had a 96 flsm. Nothing drives better and they still ski as well as anything new. Even when it was 9 years old and with an open bow a couple of my friends that get down into 35 and 38 off still prefered the wake to new MCs and Nautiques.

[my86stanggt]

Man, now your going to have to get some nice wheels to go along with all the other new parts..

[Razzman]

Man, now your going to have to get some nice wheels to go along with all the other new parts..

The old ones cleaned up real so I'll be sticking with these for at least this year as I'm already wayyyyy over budget! The problem is I just can't leave stuff alone, I'm alway's wanting to improve or replace things! I just ordered the Orion amps tonight so if i throw wheels into the mix the wife will have my a..

[my86stanggt]

I've got the cheap white ones that came with the tires.... I have to find some different ones but I'm waiting until I buy that axle to make sure I get rims that fit.

Are you putting stainless fenders on?

[Razzman]

I've got the cheap white ones that came with the tires.... I have to find some different ones but I'm waiting until I buy that axle to make sure I get rims that fit.

Are you putting stainless fenders on?

To the best of my knowledge all 5 lug trailer axles have had the same bolt pattern for the last 20 years at least, 5 on 4.5". In fact i didn't even worry about it when i bought my axle as i knew it would fit. That bolt pattern also happens to be the same as a Ford 5 lug used on their passenger cars for years, you can get a wheel anywhere from anyone which is nice.

I'm just sanding, priming and painting the existing fenders as the price of the stainless ones are outrageous.

[Razzman]

So it's moving along again finally after getting the sound system done. Spent the whole weekend prepping and painting. Recruited the wife to assist in papering and taping and she found a good use for a MasterCraft bag we got while at the boat show. Not a pro job but it looks 200% better than it did! Did i mention it's pain doing this with the boat on the trailer? Ran the wiring today and the new winch and Jet Connex harness come in next week so I'll wrap up in about a week or so.

[yearroundboarder]

Razz -

I admire you for all that work. Looks great. If anyone complains about the paint on your trailer, they don't belong anywhere near your boat!

[hoopykat]

To the best of my knowledge all 5 lug trailer axles have had the same bolt pattern for the last 20 years at least, 5 on 4.5". In fact i didn't even worry about it when i bought my axle as i knew it would fit. That bolt pattern also happens to be the same as a Ford 5 lug used on their passenger cars for years, you can get a wheel anywhere from anyone which is nice.

I'm just sanding, priming and painting the existing fenders as the price of the stainless ones are outrageous.

Razzman...

If you ever do get new wheels, let me know and I'll buy the old ones from you. Those look exactly like the wheels on my trailer, and I don't have a spare. Is that a SportBoat trailer?

Mike

[hoopykat]

I recently spent some time making my trailer a little bit better. All but two of the diamond plate steps had come off, since they were just applied with some type of glue adhesive. I ordered some new ones from SBTrailers and attached them with stainless steel bolts and nuts. I also replaced the 3-light markers on the rear crossmember as it had burnt out. I bought an LED light bar at a local auto parts store that worked great. I still need to figure out why the reverse white lights don't work on the right side, but since they aren't required in California (trailers don't have to have backup lights), I'm in no hurry. After cleaning the trailer, I have some white pin-striping to add on.

Mike

[zad0030]

Razzman...

If you ever do get new wheels, let me know and I'll buy the old ones from you. Those look exactly like the wheels on my trailer, and I don't have a spare. Is that a SportBoat trailer?

Mike

I think you could buy those on Overtons. Unless Razz gives you a good price.

[spharis]

You can get those from Dorsey as well.

[Razzman]

Razzman...

If you ever do get new wheels, let me know and I'll buy the old ones from you. Those look exactly like the wheels on my trailer, and I don't have a spare. Is that a SportBoat trailer?

Mike

If i add new ones and you still need 'em they're yours. If you need one sooner try any tire store. These are automotive wheels nothing more. I was looking for a spare and was quoted 65-75 a wheel at Big O, Americas Tire, etc until my brother-in-law scored me one for free, with tire!

[wannabewakeboarder]

Razz...
Nice updates on the trailer and sound system but...
Yellow:
Looks like no roller on trailer, hopefully you bought a new one and don't trailer like that.

Red:
No toung on your trailer how do you hook the boat n trailer up to your new rig?