Almost finished building my boat trailer

[Mike Pennington]

Well, after talking about building a trailer for a couple of years now. I finally bought the steel today. The 3500 axle should be here Friday.

The design that is in my mind is one simmilar to Phil Gowans that he built for his Weekender. Adding a C- channel strip down the center for the keel. I also plan to build a detachable motor brace for my new outboard.

Though I am not sure I'll have it finished by the May 5th trip to Homer, Ak.

I sure hope so.

Mike

[kydocfrog]

Cool. Looking forward to seeing the design.

DocA

[Mike Pennington]

Well today I picked up my 3500 lb axil for the new boat trailer. Got it all put together, so I now know how wide the trailer will be. Then I welded the leaf spring brackets to the main frame sections. I

[Dave R1]

What? No pictures?

I'm sure you don't want to be lifting that motor on and off all the time. With those roads, though, I wonder if it would be wise to remove the motor from the boat for this trip. I could see a mount somewhere on the trailer on which the motor would ride during the trip. Then, just before launch, you could move the motor back to the boat.

[Tim Diebert]

I am with Dave on this idea Mike.

Or even throw it in the back of your vehicle.

That's what I do if I go any distance.....but then my motor does not weight 100 lbs......more like 60.

Looking forward to some progress pix on this project. It will be interesting to watch.

A welder is on my list of future purchase.

Really, what I could use is someone to give me a primer on all the new welding types. I can run an arc welder and have done miles of gas welding (brazing) but have no clue when it comes to TIG and MIG and whatever other acronyms are out there. I would love to get a small machine that is handy for a range of work. And get another Oxy Ac unit as well.

It has been 20 years since I replaced the entire floor pan and rockers on my 66 Mini Country Estate Wagon. My knees still hurt from that one.

[Frank Hagan]

Rectangular steel? Allow for drainage in your design. One of the problems with using tube or rectangular steel on boat trailers is that they trap water and can rust from the inside out, especially on cross members if they are in a "V" shape. That's why you see so much C-channel used for boat trailers.

[Mike Pennington]

Hey guys,

I'm cutting out the framing today almost done, except I decided to put cross pieces every two feet instead of four.

I think your right Frank, I should have used C-Channel. It certainly would have been cheaper. Easier to weld also. I'll keep drainage points in mind. In fact I'll drill them before I turn the trailer upright.

So far total cost is at $1400 including the welder and the cut off saw. That also includes the axil and three tires/wheels.

Dave and Tim, I think your right, a seperate mount for the motor to ride on wouldn't be that much work. I even joked with my wife about putting a small hoist next to it to sling the motor on to the boat.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VQAQA7sa!5ULzTyEzAScOafV8WY1KsUQQJibekDh1GAAtlrR5hTBbcw3hGnQmyN61CXYsoi2zWYbiM6WGlD2lh4Y6PwAiGWdklG8LbePiDk8GKaNTgoJZePEJkDLZgxw/Trailer%20one.JPG?dc=4675518540406925658

[Mike Pennington]

Oops! Here I go thinking again.

Tim and Dave, If I do this it will be your fault. But the more I think about it, I just might do it. And my back will be saying, Thank You.

http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,125.html

[Tim Diebert]

Hahaha. What a great idea Mike.

Though I have never seen a boat trailer with a crane on it, you'd be right guy to be the first.

The version you found there looks like the cat's meow and it seems very inexpensive.

But then again.....maybe you should just keep it on the transom.....sounds like you have beefed it up plenty.

Even if you have the arm, it will only get the motor from the boat to the ground and back again, you'd still have to grunt it into the garage for storage .....................................unless................. you made a small vehicle it could be attached to.......like a golf cart.....then just ride the boom cart up into the back of the truck for the long trips...........Bob's yer uncle.

Like this.....

[Mike Pennington]

Thats a good one! It swivels, I could mount it over the axils and it could reach around the transom.

They wanted $225 to ship to Alaska on the slow boat that stops at China first. So it was a fantasy that will nevr come true.

I still may build a rack on the trailer for it. I can always get a friend to help me put it on the boat. Which is much more realistic.

But heres an even bigger joke on me. It snowed again last night. DANG SNOW! ARGGHH!

[JMetzner]

But heres an even bigger joke on me. It snowed again last night. DANG SNOW! ARGGHH!

Heard THAT!, Mike. I uncovered As You Wish yesterday, replaced the blocks. Last night I lashed the mast hoops to the main thinking I could get it back on and start re-rigging for Homer. But Noooooooooo, it snows overnight and the wind comes up! <Grrrrrr> I guess it's only April, we have to expect more snow but DAMN! I've got boat work to do!!!!

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK.

[Mike Pennington]

Yea, John. Glad to here you still plan on going to Homer. I believe we will have a lot of fun, Word has gotten to the folks down that way, and they are looking forward to seeing our boats.

I figured it was only me that made it snow. But if we're both working on the boats outside no wonder.

Progress Report on the trailer:

Despite the snow flury last night and today, I made some progress. I managed to get the the frame squared and the cross pieces tacked in.

The eight foot mega clamps, I made this morning worked perfectly. I have a bit of a swollen head about this success I must admit. :roll: I needed the clamps to hold the frame square to get the first tacks down. If you have any gap you'll get a bad weld.

About the forth cross piece up from the bottom, you can see a couple of 1x4's I used these for spacers to position the 2x2 rectangular steel to the right depth.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VQANA*MaFqcQU!ZVZvlw5fJaqVkNZ8akBxyFQjqnMq0!DsE9gwjgp7d6*pg1hqTDWe0Isbx8CDmOEis4!lPe5Bnz6Sn31ohkMlB9IdKMi7YgR8ecLcMqvOoOOYhee3yT/trailer%20two.JPG?dc=4675518696439365217

Then while lifting the frame, the 1st Mate slipped the jackstands under the frame. And here's the good part, I used my fancy eight foot clamps to suck in the bottom of the frame. It seems the expanding and shrinking of the metal pulled the bottom of the frame away from the unwelded part of the cross pieces. The clamps pulled the frame right back into position 8)

You can't see the one on the bottom up close, but you can the far one.

Tomorrow, I weld all the vertical runs. And if I'm lucky I'll draft a couple of Neighbors to help flip the frame to the upright position and sling the axil.

I also may go buy another 3500lb axil to make the trailer double axiled. The trailer is thirty feet long, so I think I may be foolish if I don't.

My welds are improving, I guess I haven't lost the nack after all. Now if it doesn't snow to much to night, I'll be a happy man.

PS Thank you Dad for teaching me to weld at such an early age.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VwAwA7EbtuYQU!ZVZvlw5axwLHmluUUSLprwsL0G1Dm8XazCZ5BVx8glOFJ4YQPhhAqLW7oucM5GIvNMU7Dr4MXjSlbGo0abQ793hi!g*Y3HclLKfVwLpV42k9VKYSTt/trailer%20three.JPG?dc=4675518696426125582

[Mike Pennington]

Day four,

Still snowing, but it could be worse, I've seen it snow a foot and a half in May.

I cleared the drive way and welded all my verticals on the frame. Tomorrow, I'll drop the frame back on to the ground and weld the V frame and tongue to the rest of the trailer frame.

Wensday the second axle will be here and I can weld up the last brackets. I lucked out, I thought I had 24inch leaf springs, but it turns out they are 26inchs. I won't have to grind off the rear bracket, just weld a larger one behind it. :roll:

Then I get to pull the cherry picker out and flip the trailer up right to hang the axles. Then all I have left to do is catch all the top side welds, attach the trailer hitch and attach the lights and harness. Oh yeah, lay a section of C-channel down to support the keel, weld up a strut for the winch and install the bunks. Also a set of side frames to help alighn the boat when loading. I don't know if any of you have had the pleasure of loading in a high cross wind or current, but those side frames look awful good to me.

Then wait for some half way good weather and paint the trailer.

In case you haven't guessed, I am having the time off my life. I'm already looking for another welding project. :wink:

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VgAAAEMbX8IQU!ZVZvlw5a*H59jkgzPpP0FNwGVRr0bV8!pAYr4Kc3N0UEeIXzKDGi9sNjMrBOQfMx8vnXBEu5zQdHiwpNkVE25wX6cuX01qH!pMmkbZRk3XZh7ZPlya/trailer%20five.JPG?dc=4675518807552427999

[Mike Pennington]

Still on schedual, though I don't no how. :shock:

Welding the tongue on and the V-frame to the rest of the trailer was probably the hardest part so far. My dang driveway is not level the whole length, so I had to make sure I was level first. The square and I are best buddies after this one, I think I must have check several times before I put a tack down.

Hows my welds? Well I have a lot more confidence in them after today. I tacked down one of the struts for the V-frame of the tongue. My angle was off a bit, so I had to break the weld. Banging on it with my four pound hammer didn't do it, I had to use a cold chisle to cut it. :roll:

The second axle has run my cost up, but I won't regret it in the long run.

The two axles were $400

The five tires and wheels were $500 ouch!

The steel was $400

Trailer lights $40

And I still need to buy a winch and a wheeled jack.

I have five days of work into it so far too.

Oops! I got to buy a gallon of Rustoleum paint yet too.

Was it worth it? Well I only spent half of what a new E-Z loader would have cost and I can use the trailer for other projects besides hauling just a boat. I can also sell the trailer if I get in a bind, for a lot more than I have into it.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgAAAJEYGuITmGZi4!MMnGi3VjACoaUxtzNk5*CZutU0tiee8TiYLMl5p!THCvTYGLS9lHtSNvp5c8F05xJdIhdRfWQ53wK4vkVx!k2ayEyk!IMqWIf8hw/Tongue.JPG?dc=4675518968370076737

[Mike Pennington]

And I thought flipping the Vacationer by myself was fun

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UADtAsYXKqsxbp0Q*2h!mNTF3gezmxy3rZlBuQwbQcjW!LVEXLfkcdZ5SPWkpp0*fsaLSc9yJTbD*JyNFwiCPhXMHzXTWLC*8ZxW!!iCtUeF!ADA3W0yvHSCjxwAcI8c/P4200001.JPG?dc=4675519097939552520

I'm guessing but I think the frame ways about 450 lbs, it is so big that it is awkward. Lucky for me I have a cherry picker :roll: I got it up and found out I was six inches short, so I had to brace it up in the air and shorten the chain.

At that time, I gave it the PENN test :shock: That's right! I dropped it. Hey my welds held, surprise, surprise.

Lifted it up one more time, with a shortened chain, scooted it over an let it down again. Easy? Well, lets just say it was harder than I thought it would be

Lucky for me I'm on medical leave, the Doctors want me to take pain pills. I think they figure if I'm zombeed out, I won't strain the family jewels or something like that. I hate being zombeed, I would rather feel the pain and get something done. But folks I'm so sore, I decided I had better take my pills and I can't wait to hit the sack. :wink: Tomorrows another day, I'll catch all my top welds and sling those axles later.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UAAsA8gXuKsxbp0Q*2h!mBx9by3v8LN!Fw0Z6iXRTo*0mvr7UErLCcKxwq1nd!tcw9Se5K2ARw0f1gPxWaHaxjwYkXHVVNUXH3Yk514dlOa7nHoDoVbSinSCChgAcAoY/P4200003.JPG?dc=4675519097953073714

[Mike Pennington]

I'm getting closer, today I slung the axles and finished all the top welds. Hung the trailer jack and welded on the hitch. Tomorrow I'll try welding on the bunks, the winch and maybe the lights.

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQD5AukXHLkSbQJPlNrN2XgfunIC8GFUYqXxmnFL59bf5tFH073ZVRjyhGc2EYA6KM36p8d3T92dnQ*VPwRJK7QeTdUhpGoiD5IY1gniC7jg7JH0nlYp16p!jPPkpO3W/P4210001.JPG?dc=4675519240204749608

[JMetzner]

Very Cool, Mike! Looks like a solid son of a gun. You said something about this being a multi-use trailer. How is that going to work if you're welding on the bunks?

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK.

[Mike Pennington]

At first, I was going to use threaded rod, kind of like the old trailer jacks. At I least I had hope it would work out that way.

Then I thought of plan "B", I'll cut some small sections of two inch rectangular steel, drill a hole on the opposite side of the weld to the frame. Weld a nut over the hole and run a bolt through part way. Then take some one inch rec to support the bunk and slip it into the two inch rec socket and tighten down. Loosen to let the bunk lay flat on the trailer. However, I would have the steel of the suppoert bar hanging below the trailer, I don't like that. So plan "C", detachable.

I'm glad you asked that question John, because the more I think about it, I like the idea of detachable. Using the plan "B" method. One inch rec in a two inch rec socket. Bolt in place, until I wish to remove.

My biggest problem that I see is getting the right height, I've got a close estimate, but I would like a good fit.

I'm going to build the wooden trough tomorrow and temporarly use the winch off the old trailer to get the vacationer on the new trailer. Use some blocking to get it level and take some real measurements.

Still in the planning stage, invent as I go, I guess. :roll:

I painted the trailer today, even though I have some fabricating yet to do. The weather guys are saying snow again Sunday, so I though I would get it done. I can always sand down to bare metal for a weld.

Thanks for the reality check John, simple is often the best way to go.

[JMetzner]

Mike,

You're welcome for the reality check. I just didn't see how welded bunks would allow for a flat surface for sleds, storage or whatever. Figured you had had an epiphany and wanted to know what it was.

Did some work on As You Wish this evening my self. Finally, after a couple of years, I fitted the companion way door to the bulkhead and worked out a bracket to let it slide into place! Woohoo! I finally have an enclosed cabin! Pulled a wheel on the trailer to get a spare wheel and tire. Figured it would be a good idea for the drive to Homer and down the Alcan later.

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK

[Mike Pennington]

Yep,

I bought five new tires and wheels for the new trailer, :shock: they cost more than the axles.

When I dropped the Wolf off the old trailer, yesterday afternoon, I got a look at the tires I bought last year. Not good, the camber must be off on the old trailer's axle, the inside tread is nearly worn off. It was definitely time for a new trailer. Even though I replaced the bearings and races, I don't trust the old one for long distances, not anymore.

Mike