"Rebuilding" a trailer question

[mjrubino]

I guess that's a good way to put it, anyway. I have a tandem axel Shoreland'r trailer, based on other pictures I've seen of similar boats, I'm guessing it came with the boat back in 1984.

Structurally it's sound, but I don't know when it was last serviced. I bought the boat last spring, and was told it had sat in storage for about 1.5 years prior. So it's safe to assume it's been approximately 3 years since it was serviced.

I know this is kind of a stretch of a question, but assuming the worst, is there a ballpark figure on what I should expect to spend to get it road-worthy again?

All I know about the trailer is that structurally it's good, all the rollers are good, the winch is good, lights work. It rolls around fine, it was driven around the marina to launch the boat in the spring, and the empty trailer was driven 5 miles to my house afterwards. The tires are good but could probably be replaced. Beyond that, the brakes, axels, bearings, etc, I know absolutely nothing about.

I'm debating whether I'm better off selling what I have and putting it towards a trailer that's ready to rock and roll with minimal work, or just rehabbing the one I have now.

I'd like to do a couple weekends on the local lakes, but I don't have enough confidence in my trailer as it sits

 

[Lazy Daze]

Check condition of brakes (I assume drum?) and backing plate, wheel cylinders, etc.

Re-pack bearings (checking races and bearings for wear).

Bleed the brakes. Check fluid condition in MC, first. If it's nasty, suck it out with a turkey baster. Then fill with new and bleed.

Look at the springs.

Git 'r done and take for a good shake-down drive (preferably with weight on the trailer).

 

[Henry Boyd]

These types of trailers really suffer the most from corrosion (yeah I know, I have a real gift for the obvious), and lack of use. Along with what Dennis said, I would also look at replacing the wheel seals where the trailer has been sitting for a while. They can look good and then 50-100 miles later go bad. Its short money for new seals and you'll be doing all the work anyway.

Henry

 

[CaptainH]

I would be looking at replacing the bearings and tires. I just replaced my duel axle bearings, new seals, grease and 1 hub for about $200 in parts, another $350 for tires. Older tires go bad even if they still have thread left. I cleaned and sanded the other hubs and the brake pads, they still looked ok, fluid was also ok. I use a marine grade bearing grease. Good luck, you sure don't want trailer problems hauling the boat down the highway!