boat trailer

[jigger]

I had a problem the other day with my boat engine over heating. I called the marine shop were I brought it and they told me the thermostats were frozen. While on the phone they told me that my trailer now has a problem. They told me that the torsion bars between the springs were rotten completely through and there is nothing holding the front and rear springs together.Also the axles are pretty well rusted. I told them to get me a price on repairing the trailer. At what point or price should I consider getting a new trailer? This trailer I have is a little over 8 years old.

[A Few Dollars]

The "torsion bars between the springs" are called equalizers and they are $16 each.

Can't comment on the rust. What is "pretty well rusted"?

[jigger]

Last year I had to replace a couple of rollers on it. I did notice a lot of surface rust on the springs. So I took my bfh to it and 1/2 inch thick chunks of rust came off the axles and springs. I have looked in a trailer parts store on line and added up the price to replace every thing under there. It came to $600+.

[A Few Dollars]

Last year I had to replace a couple of rollers on it. I did notice a lot of surface rust on the springs. So I took my bfh to it and 1/2 inch thick chunks of rust came off the axles and springs. I have looked in a trailer parts store on line and added up the price to replace every thing under there. It came to $600+.

And a new trailer will be over $3,500.

Looks looks like an easy choice.

[BiminiTwist]

Had trailer work done about a month ago due to a bad bearing. To repack and rebuild all 4 wheels, change brake pads and to replace springs cost me about $1200. As long as the trailer works for you and the frame is in good condition, I would just always rebuild.

[jigger]

Thanks for all the input on this guys. I went and saw them at the shop today for the verdict on rebuilding the lower 1/2 of the trailer. Which was to replace spindles and axles,and springs and hangers. They wanted $1800.00 to do the job. They told me that seeing the trailer is 8 yrs. old and the price is more then 1/2 the cost of a new trailer. I might want to consider going with a new trailer. I asked them to give me a price on a new trailer. $3300.00 for a roller trailer. I asked them about the price on a bunk trailer $3100.00. I told them to hold on and give me a day and I would get back to them. So I got home and called another local dealer and asked for a price. He gave me a price for a tandem axle trailer with 4500 gvw. Which I looked at and it is very nice and well built. The price he told me was $2800.00. So guess were I'm going for a new trailer tomorrow ?

[Chet88]

Thanks for all the input on this guys. I went and saw them at the shop today for the verdict on rebuilding the lower 1/2 of the trailer. Which was to replace spindles and axles,and springs and hangers. They wanted $1800.00 to do the job. They told me that seeing the trailer is 8 yrs. old and the price is more then 1/2 the cost of a new trailer. I might want to consider going with a new trailer. I asked them to give me a price on a new trailer. $3300.00 for a roller trailer. I asked them about the price on a bunk trailer $3100.00. I told them to hold on and give me a day and I would get back to them. So I got home and called another local dealer and asked for a price. He gave me a price for a tandem axle trailer with 4500 gvw. Which I looked at and it is very nice and well built. The price he told me was $2800.00. So guess were I'm going for a new trailer tomorrow ?

Sell that used one on craigslist bet you could get $1000 out of it.

[jigger]

Well I did a little shopping around and found another dealer within 5 miles. The dealer who I bought the trailer from told me he could sell me the exact same trailer that I have for $2500.00. I think the shop saw that the trailer was in such disrepair. That they thought they would try and capitalize on the sale. I bought a 5 Star/Load Rite which looks like a better quality trailer then the one being offered by the shop. The shop manager was scratching his head when I showed up to pull my trailer out of there. At the time I did not tell them that I had made a purchase. But believe me I will be sending them an e-mail in the near future. I know the ecconomy is tough but an $800.00 difference in price between two delears.

A of shot of the torsion arms/equlalizers sorry for the quality picture from my cell phone.

[Sea Hawk]

Well I did a little shopping around and found another dealer within 5 miles. The dealer who I bought the trailer from told me he could sell me the exact same trailer that I have for $2500.00. I think the shop saw that the trailer was in such disrepair. That they thought they would try and capitalize on the sale. I bought a 5 Star/Load Rite which looks like a better quality trailer then the one being offered by the shop. The shop manager was scratching his head when I showed up to pull my trailer out of there. At the time I did not tell them that I had made a purchase. But believe me I will be sending them an e-mail in the near future. I know the ecconomy is tough but an $800.00 difference in price between two delears.

A of shot of the torsion arms/equlalizers sorry for the quality picture from my cell phone.

I don't know if they got a little greedy ,I would think that they could have repair your trailer for around $1,200 ,and I'm sure you would've like that much better ,I'd rebuild my trailer my self with about $1,200 but that was 2 x 3500# torsion suspension axle no brakes ,new hubs all aluminum cross members and stainless hardware that was a couple of years a go but when I was done my trailer was the same as a $4,000 one from the factory .

I guess they lost the deal on this repair or sale ,as my dealer did with my trailer ,he quoted me a little too much in order to try to sell a new trailer and at the end he encouraged me to do the rebuild ,and I'm sure that my work is a lot better than theirs,if you don't thing so ask the customer.

[jigger]

Well I think they got the idea that I was going to jump on the deal and spend $3320.00 for thier trailer. Seeing my springs were shot they probably thought I would not dare move the trailer. The front and rear main supports on the trailer were still atached and in fair condition but rusted. Just that when the torssion arms rotted away the springs went up and landed on the main frame of the trailer. I was told by the dealer I bought my Load Rite from. That he could sell me the same exact trailer they were going to sell me. He quoted me a price of $2500.00 and he still would have made a profit on it. That would have been an $820..00 plus profit to the shop. That's takeing advantage of someone that is down. I'm going to send them an e-mail shortly telling them how I feel. They know me well as I have been dealing with them for the past 14 yrs.I've always treated them well and paid all my bills by cash only. Maybe it is time to move along to another adventure.