How bad is this? - The Hull Truth

Sprockets · 05-01-2012, 04:45 PM

This is a picture of a 2001 Loadrite single axle galvanized trailer. How bad is this and what would it run to make it safe for a road trip? It comes with a boat I am looking at. I'm not excited about a galvanized trailer, so I would either sell it or buy the boat without it and get a new one.

kerno · 05-01-2012, 05:03 PM

You'll probably get several responses that predict mass carnage if you tow it as is....

But my own (and only my own) opinion is that you are looking at the rusty arm on a torsion axle. Yes, it is rusty, but it is a pretty good sized chunk of steel with the hub welded into it and I don't think it is even close to breaking at the arm. I'd be more concerned about rusting on the torsion bar itself, which is a part you can't see. How long a trip are you talking about?

Sprockets · 05-01-2012, 05:10 PM

About 600 miles, mostly highway.

kerno · 05-01-2012, 05:13 PM

I'd check the bearings to see if either of them is growling and if they sound good, I'd hitch it up and be gone. Once you get it home, buying and installing a replacement is easy.

Gottarpon · 05-01-2012, 05:43 PM

take a picture where you can see the lug nuts then i will tell you

SourDaze · 05-01-2012, 05:50 PM

Why not just tow it to a trailer shop and have them look at it for you? Won't cost you much. 600 hundred miles is a long way to drive with your butt cheeks clinched.

Sprockets · 05-01-2012, 05:56 PM

This one is number 2 on my list. I have an offer pending on another boat, which doesn't have a trailer, so I've been looking at new and used ones too.

I'd much rather have a brand new aluminum trailer behind me.

bsh102 · 05-01-2012, 06:13 PM

Like Kerno stated the torsion axle is fine. It is the internal part that you can not see that would worry me. 600 miles is a good haul for a single axle trailer in that condition. I would make sure you know where some trailer shops are on your route and that they will be open or have it fixed first.

billinstuart · 05-01-2012, 06:16 PM

I agree with Kern. There's alot of metal left under that rust. My question..what do the studs look like? Can you remove the lug nuts??

Sprockets · 05-01-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billinstuart

I agree with Kern. There's alot of metal left under that rust. My question..what do the studs look like? Can you remove the lug nuts??

If I end up going in the direction of this boat, I will have it checked out, repaired or replaced before I make the trip back. If it were aluminum I'd be more inclined to replace everything and keep it.

At the same time, if the offer I made on a different boat gets accepted, this trailer isn't an issue, at least not for me.

mangoinboard · 05-02-2012, 05:50 AM

chip of the rust and post a picture to see how bad it is

bamaboy473 · 05-02-2012, 07:37 AM

If you post the trailer's location, a THT member might have time to check out the trailer and the tires....especially the tires.

camnbo · 05-02-2012, 07:46 AM

Let's see the boat!!

Sprockets · 05-02-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camnbo

Let's see the boat!!

There is too much demand for this model to expose it!

I made an offer on a different one. I'm just researching both at the same time!

Sprockets · 05-02-2012, 12:30 PM

To those that chimed in, my offer on the other boat was just accepted so this trailer is someone else's problem. the one I am buying does not have a trailer, so I need to either buy a new one or find one used. The boat is an older Grady 180 CC.

bsh102 · 05-02-2012, 06:11 PM

Congrats !

Scuba888 · 05-02-2012, 06:21 PM

So what did you end up geting?

Sprockets · 05-02-2012, 06:34 PM

It's just a 1999 Grady 180 CC. I was looking to downsize to a small CC and the layout of this model is perfect. Owners must really hold on to these, because there aren't many available. I also wanted something that will hold it's value, as my "needs" will likely change again.

Now I need to find a trailer for it.