April 2011 Flood-Damage to Trailer?

CoralReefer

CoralReefer

New Member
Mar 26, 2008
685
Nashville, TN
Boat Info
1987 250 Sundancer
Engines
260 Mercruiser w/Alpha I
I just found out where my trailer is parked at the marina very well may be under water by the morning. I'm heading there early before work in the am. I hope it's not submerged and can hook up and move. If underwater, what's the risk of damage? It's aluminum and hopefully it won't be under more than 24 hours. I'd assuming bearings for sure but what about brakes, lines, wiring harness?

Also, gangway to dock us underwater so can't get to boat to check it out but I'm assuming it's ok since floating. This makes three times in three years the marina's flooding. I really wasn't expecting water levels this high based on the rain we received this year over years past. I just checked and TVA has no planned dam discharges scheduled ($&!^ :smt021) I'm assuming they're worried about more flooding down stream. I can't wait until this crappy Spring is behind us.
 
Everything should be weather tight, it's intended to be dunked and on the road in the rain. I wouldn't like my electric/hydraulic system soaking. MM
 
No problems, made to dunk! Perhaps a little superficial corrosion up around the hitch which doesn't usually see water, otherwise fine. They do get rained on heavily even if not dunked.

Good luck with all the fallout otherwise of this wild weather year!
 
Been a while since I towed, but my past trailers had hydraulic surge brakes, and there were vents on the fluid reservoir on the tongue.
If your trailer is similar, and that's under water, you might want to look into that. If you don't run bearing buddys, or any other type of positive pressure bearing lubricant system, I'd take a look there too.
This weather certainly has been a challenge.
Good luck
 
Sounds a little silly now that you say it that way Jim M :) Not too worried about it. I went down this morning and I'm good for now. Definitely no boating Saturday. All the gangways under water as well as the general parking lot. I'll try to post some pics tonight. I'm hoping it's reached it's crest and recedes enough so at least I can get out to the boat to do some more work Sunday.
 
my3sons said:
Been a while since I towed, but my past trailers had hydraulic surge brakes, and there were vents on the fluid reservoir on the tongue.
If your trailer is similar, and that's under water, you might want to look into that. If you don't run bearing buddys, or any other type of positive pressure bearing lubricant system, I'd take a look there too.
This weather certainly has been a challenge.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Agree with the brake master cylinder vent statement. I just bled my brakes and fixed a leaky line last weekend and the cap on the master cylinder will for sure allow water to enter if submerged. Other than that, it will be fine.
 
Ditto on the brake master cyl and maybe a bearing repack. Check your lights too.
 
I do hope not only your boat and trailer is OK but the Marina itself has weathered the storm. This years spring weather has been almost unreal.
 
**UPDATE** Went down this morning before work and the water had risen another 2ft and trailer was still dry. I tried to get out of work early but couldn't. Called one of my buddies with a big houseboat there to ask if he's heard when it would crest. He said they're expecting it to come up another 4ft by Sunday and dock had no electricity.

Well, went down tonight about 8pm with my Tahoe. I was lucky!! Trailer was in six inches of water and I was able to hookup and move to higher ground. Also, dock has electricity back. Marina looked ok other than the fresh landscaping they had just completed is probably destroyed. They've rigged a modified gangway to the main dock (mine's still not accessible, only by water). Borrowed a raft and boat's ok too.

Crazy stuff!! Almost exactly one year from the "Nashville May Flood of 2010" and this was just as bad at the marina mainly due to not releasing the dam for fear of downstream flooding. Now all I can do is just wait for it to recede. All is well for now and thanks for the posts.
 
Here's some pics from this morning. Actually, the water may be going down :)

IMG_20110429_072157.jpg


IMG_20110429_072143-1.jpg


IMG_20110429_072607.jpg
 
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Skibum, you got the right idea. Bad news is that we're getting another two-day round of rain starting Sunday night. Mother Nature's one pissed off lady this year.
 
Just went down to the marina again and it's a lot worse today. Water is still rising and rain in forecast tonight through Tuesday. Trailer is safe and boat's safe for now. I'm not sure how high the docks can be extended. Worst news of all is that TVA isn't scheduling any dam releases for two weeks!!! Crap!!! Waiting game now.
 
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