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| Three Generations of Service  |
Specifically, where to get the material they're made of. Grandson was gifted a 12 foot aluminum...skiff I guess you'd call it. He went looking for a small trailer and bought one that we knew needed work. Unfortunately he didn't inspect it closely enough and the frame is totally gone. The tires/wheels/hubs/axle are essentially brand new (and worth what he paid for the whole thing) but the frame and tongue are swiss cheese held together by rust. So what I need now is to know how/where to get the light 3 inch C or U channel that makes up the frame. This one is an ancient Sears unit that shows no sign of ever having been galvanized. I'd prefer to build out of galvanized for obvious reasons. We'll also be looking for another inexpensive trailer (tho this time I'll go with to look at whatever he's interested in...) Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | ||
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| Hillbilly Wannabe |
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| Savor the limelight |
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| Member |
I'm in the steel business (import broker). Look up any steel service center, they are like a Walmart for any type, shape, grade of steel. They'll likely have C-channel in stock and will cut length, bend, etc. | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
I have two in the immediate area, neither carry anything suitable. I have an email in to the site Trapper suggested, haven't heard back. Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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| Member |
Sorry, didn't see your geo location. The nearest city (medium/large) may have a svc center, and most deliver on flatbeds to outlying areas. | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
"Local" to me is Bangor. Two steel suppliers/custom fab shops, neither can help me. Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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| Member |
https://americansteelandaluminum.com/locations/ Several locations in Maine, may be worthwhile to drive over to the nearest or inquire about drop shipping options. | |||
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| Member |
If you use steel, it should be galvanized after assembling the frame. Aluminum might be a better bet. Often you can find a used trailer for free, that needs a new axle. Then you can just swap the parts over. -c1steve | |||
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| Buy that Classic SIG in All Stainless, No rail wear will be painless.  |
There is a business near me that builds custom trailers. Some time ago I inquired about having a special custom ATV trailer built there for me with my design. They weld up the entire frame of the trailer first and then haul it to a galvanizing business about 1.5 hours away and "dip" the entire frame in molten zinc. If you buy steel that is already galvanized and then repair or build a trailer frame, everyplace you cut, bend, drill, grind, or weld, the galvanized coating is removed and the bare steel will rust. NRA Benefactor Life Member NRA Instructor USPSA Chief Range Officer | |||
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| As Extraordinary as Everyone Else  |
Since it sounds like the boat is fairly small and light wouldn’t you be better off sourcing a used trailer for a couple of hundred bucks off FB Marketplace and use your axles etc. if needed? Like these… https://www.facebook.com/marke...1e-861c-a07b25c8fe6f https://www.facebook.com/marke...1e-861c-a07b25c8fe6f https://www.facebook.com/marke...1e-861c-a07b25c8fe6f ------------------ Eddie Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
Yup, that's Plan B. Getting details on one as we speak, and one got away from me yesterday. Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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| Thank you Very little  |
That would be the smart move.... | |||
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| Member |
Trying to make a trailer is going to be a real waste of time and energy. Look for a used galvanized waverunner trailer and move all of your items over to it. You can usually find them in coastal areas and they need rebuilding but the frame will be good. | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
Problem solved. VERY solid home-built off FacePlace. Needs wiring and bunks and a strap for the winch, all of which I have materials for laying around Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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| As Extraordinary as Everyone Else |
We need pictures of the prize and the progress! ------------------ Eddie Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
Been working on it. I'll grab a couple after my nap. Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
 While obviously home made - judging by the rebar bracing and what appears to be water pipe radius rods - it was well done.  The single transverse spring is not something I've seen before on boat trailers, and the axle looks to have been adapted from some other use. I've strung new wire for the tail lights and rigged a strap to the winch. Having second thoughts about that, probably be better off with a good synthetic rope. Grandson will pick up a pair of tail lights and it'll road legal. Should have some new tires, they have decent tread, but could be as much as 50 years old so probably harder than Chinese arithmetic. Also need to check and repack the wheel bearings just to know they're good. Oh, and whip up some bunks. Piece of PT 2x6 and some outdoor carpet will take care of that. Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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| As Extraordinary as Everyone Else |
Looks like a perfect trailer for local towing. Tires and wheel bearings, as you already know, are the two main issues going forward but it sounds like you have that sorted out. Does the boat have a motor? ------------------ Eddie Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina | |||
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| Three Generations of Service |
Working on that. I think his Dad said he had a 1.5 hp he could have, and/or he's thinking about an electric trolling motor. Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent. | |||
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