14' Boat Trailer Cracked Frame

[pickardjw]

I just purchased some new parts (winch post, rollers, wiring/lights) for this trailer. Went to pull the boat out yesterday and the frame cracked. Never been in the salt and the rust on it is surface from what I can tell. Boat has always been floated onto the trailer, not driven and haven't overloaded it I don't think...

I have some L3x3x1/4 laying around the jobsite that I could use to fix this crack and reinforce the rest of the frame with. The axle is also pretty new, less than 2,000 miles on it I'd guess. If I fix the frame, the only thing I'd really want to replace on it next are the bunks. I might sand and repaint it too if the boat is off it for a while.

Should I fix or replace it?

If replacing it are there any good options for buying used besides craiglist/facebook? Not sure what the price is on new trailers of this size but imagine it will cost more than the boat is worth.

[Farmer72]

To me bases on the location of the crack I would just weld it up as it is behind the axle. However it looks like the leaf springs are to long and not sitting in the right spot. It looks to me like the leaf would hit the frame on bumps and is probably the cause of the crack to begin with. I would look for a shorter leaf then weld the frame or just get a new trailer if cost of fixing is to much. Just my opinion based on the pictures you have.

[pickardjw]

To me bases on the location of the crack I would just weld it up as it is behind the axle. However it looks like the leaf springs are to long and not sitting in the right spot. It looks to me like the leaf would hit the frame on bumps and is probably the cause of the crack to begin with. I would look for a shorter leaf then weld the frame or just get a new trailer if cost of fixing is to much. Just my opinion based on the pictures you have.

Hmm I'm at least the 4th owner of this thing. No idea if the trailer originally came with the boat or what, but I'd guess the leaf spring setup is from factory with the trailer based on age/wear. Maybe poor design, it's over 30 years old. Here's a photo that kind of shows it better.

[Farmer72]

If you look the front of the leaf is in the bracket but the back is not in the bracket and requires the link to lengthen the point for it to hook up. It looks to me like the original spot was where the link is hooked to but springs may have been swapped and the link put in to fit the longer leaf. I could be completely wrong. I will have to look at my trailer when I get home and see how it is set up.

[SuperX]

I was taught to never buy a painted boat trailer.  Now I see why!  Sorry for your misfortune

[pickardjw]

If you look the front of the leaf is in the bracket but the back is not in the bracket and requires the link to lengthen the point for it to hook up. It looks to me like the original spot was where the link is hooked to but springs may have been swapped and the link put in to fit the longer leaf. I could be completely wrong. I will have to look at my trailer when I get home and see how it is set up.

Ahh I see, interesting. I may email sturdy built and see what they think. They’ve been pretty helpful.

[pickardjw]

I was taught to never buy a painted boat trailer.  Now I see why!  Sorry for your misfortune

I bought the boat and trailer from a buddy for super cheap. Spent a bit kitting out the boat but maintenance costs overall have been real low. Feel like I’ve gotten great value out of it.

[pickardjw]

https://portland.craigslist.org/grg/boa/d/portland-boat-trailer/7768068175.html

Seems like a good option, no? Would just need to carpet the bunks and maybe swap in my new winch post and a front roller...

[timberhunter]

I would try fixing it first. Straighten it out around the crack and weld it. Then weld your angles to both frame rails to reinforce it.

I’m wondering if the springs collapsed the way the shackle is extended all the way out and basically touching the frame it looks like. I think it should be more vertical and it pivots to allow the spring to lengthen as it flexes.

[MADMAX]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/bpo/d/auburn-galvanized-ez-loader-boat-trailer/7770592515.html

[chukardogs]

Does the fender come off? If so, it seems like a pretty easy fix. Based on the pictures, the frame cracked exactly where it should have. If you plan on running this boat & trailer on dirt, washboard roads, think about strengthening the opposite side also. As soon as you strengthen the side that has damage, the other may follow suit. It looks like fatigue played a part in the damage because of the location it cracked. If one side was fatigued and then cracked over time, it only stands to reason that the other side is right behind it. Good luck

[pickardjw]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/bpo/d/auburn-galvanized-ez-loader-boat-trailer/7770592515.html

Had that one pulled up as well. Not sure I like rollers...never had them before, but every video I see of a boat coming off a trailer it has rollers 

[3boys]

How far is your commute to the launch?
I would also take a hammer and tap the frame to see if there are more areas with internal corrosion and even run a borescope or drain scope in there to take a closer look. I broke a trailer in half on the way to Sekiu one year and there was no external sign of problems. It was just rusted form the inside out.

[pickardjw]

How far is your commute to the launch?
I would also take a hammer and tap the frame to see if there are more areas with internal corrosion and even run a borescope or drain scope in there to take a closer look. I broke a trailer in half on the way to Sekiu one year and there was no external sign of problems. It was just rusted form the inside out.

Well it's 90% c-channel, so no borescope needed.

[CP]

Do yourself a favor and send that trailer to the recycle bin, it isn't worth repairing.  And stick to bunks for a replacement, they put less stress on the boat.

I have a Karavan similar to the one that you linked above.  It's been solid trailer, no problems so far.