Trailer issues - just bought a 26d
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:17 am
Boat is in fine condition. Trailer works, but has rust, and I think needs brakes. There's no structural rust problems, just stuff that I think can be painted over. The previous owner took it to the ocean. My partner and I are interested in getting everything up to snuff for travels if w choose. Right now it is fine, tows fine behind my jeep, but I wouldn't want to bring it down any mountains or make a forced emergency stop. My questions are:
1. Can rustoleum type paint stop the rust on the trailer? It is surface rust only and sanding/grinding may be a big hassle for little reward. If I can have the teenagers have at it it would be fine.
2. Trailer has the original spring suspension with the axel bar about 2 inches from hitting the bottom of the boat. The way the axel moves it's conceivable this could happen on a rough road or pot hole. To his credit the seller never hit anything and the boat has no dings. We are thinking about redoing that axel with one of the newer model torsion axels with the dip in the right place for the boat. They are spendy, but we may need to do this for number 3.
3. Brakes. We would like to add surge brakes, or possibly 'lectric over hydraulic. It's not likely we will be in the mountains often, and I am guessing I can adjust the pressure sensitivity for the surge brakes, or worst case, replace pads if we find we are burning them up ... thus saving about 5-6 hundred in parts for an electric over hydraulic controller. Trying to cover my options here:
a. To save cash for the partner - can we add drum or disk brakes to existing axel and just weld on the surge controller?
b. Do people find the torsion axels more stable? (I have no problem with the stability of the existing axel.)
c. Was converting to 'lectric over hydraulic a worth while investment? Seems we could buy lots of brake pads for the cash.
4. Brake light wiring and lights are cheesy. Previous owner felt his best solution was a cheap light kit and cheap wiring he would put on and take off at each use. We want lights we can permanently install for ease of use and minimize time spent in set up/take down.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Chuck
1. Can rustoleum type paint stop the rust on the trailer? It is surface rust only and sanding/grinding may be a big hassle for little reward. If I can have the teenagers have at it it would be fine.
2. Trailer has the original spring suspension with the axel bar about 2 inches from hitting the bottom of the boat. The way the axel moves it's conceivable this could happen on a rough road or pot hole. To his credit the seller never hit anything and the boat has no dings. We are thinking about redoing that axel with one of the newer model torsion axels with the dip in the right place for the boat. They are spendy, but we may need to do this for number 3.
3. Brakes. We would like to add surge brakes, or possibly 'lectric over hydraulic. It's not likely we will be in the mountains often, and I am guessing I can adjust the pressure sensitivity for the surge brakes, or worst case, replace pads if we find we are burning them up ... thus saving about 5-6 hundred in parts for an electric over hydraulic controller. Trying to cover my options here:
a. To save cash for the partner - can we add drum or disk brakes to existing axel and just weld on the surge controller?
b. Do people find the torsion axels more stable? (I have no problem with the stability of the existing axel.)
c. Was converting to 'lectric over hydraulic a worth while investment? Seems we could buy lots of brake pads for the cash.
4. Brake light wiring and lights are cheesy. Previous owner felt his best solution was a cheap light kit and cheap wiring he would put on and take off at each use. We want lights we can permanently install for ease of use and minimize time spent in set up/take down.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Chuck