Larry Eckart
Well-known member
Guys (and Dani),
I am continually amazed at the power of salt water to corrode, erode and generally destroy equipment.
Two years ago I bought a 15' Boston Whaler Sport up in the Finger Lakes of New York. It came with a painted steel trailer. I took the motor ifor a general check over and the local marina man said: "Great boat, almost new motor, but you are going to have to get a different trailer."
I figured I could get 3-4 years out of that steel trailer. Wrong!
About a month ago I crawled under my rig to look it over closely and was appalled at what I saw.
Here is a pic of the whole trailer with a "slight touch of cancer":
View attachment Frame-16-02-2018-03-59-18.jpg
Here is a closeup of the rear frame member. This really got my attention. Note how the frame is beginning to twist as it weakens. Potential bad news if I used it and went over a good bump. And this significant rust out even though it was hosed down with fresh water after every immersion. I did not want to pass this trailer on to someone else so I took it to the metal recycler and got a windfall of $24 for the metal!
View attachment Frame-16-02-2018-03-57-54.jpg
I did not want to spring for a new aluminum trailer but figured I could find a very good galvanized trailer, perhaps someone else who was upgrading to aluminum. I was blessed to find this three year old EZ Loader in almost new condition. It's actually a size heavier than I need but heavier is better than lighter when it comes to durability.
Every trailer switch takes a couple of dunks in the water to get the bunks and rollers right. It's pretty well ready for the road and looking pretty.
View attachment IMG_1603.jpg
I look forward to many years and many miles and much water explored with this combo.
Larry
I am continually amazed at the power of salt water to corrode, erode and generally destroy equipment.
Two years ago I bought a 15' Boston Whaler Sport up in the Finger Lakes of New York. It came with a painted steel trailer. I took the motor ifor a general check over and the local marina man said: "Great boat, almost new motor, but you are going to have to get a different trailer."
I figured I could get 3-4 years out of that steel trailer. Wrong!
About a month ago I crawled under my rig to look it over closely and was appalled at what I saw.
Here is a pic of the whole trailer with a "slight touch of cancer":
View attachment Frame-16-02-2018-03-59-18.jpg
Here is a closeup of the rear frame member. This really got my attention. Note how the frame is beginning to twist as it weakens. Potential bad news if I used it and went over a good bump. And this significant rust out even though it was hosed down with fresh water after every immersion. I did not want to pass this trailer on to someone else so I took it to the metal recycler and got a windfall of $24 for the metal!
View attachment Frame-16-02-2018-03-57-54.jpg
I did not want to spring for a new aluminum trailer but figured I could find a very good galvanized trailer, perhaps someone else who was upgrading to aluminum. I was blessed to find this three year old EZ Loader in almost new condition. It's actually a size heavier than I need but heavier is better than lighter when it comes to durability.
Every trailer switch takes a couple of dunks in the water to get the bunks and rollers right. It's pretty well ready for the road and looking pretty.
View attachment IMG_1603.jpg
I look forward to many years and many miles and much water explored with this combo.
Larry
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