Sell me your trailer.

[phenom_1819]

This is a longshot. But I'm gonna try anyway.

While sanding the hull last night on the X22, I made a decision. I don't like the condition my trailer is in. The boat looks absolutely beautiful...and the rust all over the trailer just does not do it justice.  Granted the trailer is in perfect working condition....visible condition is another story.   It looks especially bad when you're laying on the ground looking up (not that I'm in this position all that often, but...).  Yes, I know I'm probably the most anal person you will ever meet.

So, if any of you sell your boats and the buyer doesn't want the trailer, will you keep me in mind?  Or if you have a trailer that you rarely use and want to make a few bucks by swapping, I'd be stoked.

Or -- the more likely option is me to just have some hard sanding and painting on the one I've got. Anybody know what it costs to have a trailer sanded and repainted?

I just dropped a line to Scott at Ameratrail, maybe they still have that one Sandy was talking about still laying around.  But that was last March, so I'm not keeping my hopes up.

[cyclone]

They could probably build you one.

[toyotafreak]

And if you have them build one...make sure they put TRD rims and "big brake" kits on it.

Cal, you're tripping, dude. Strip down what you can and take it to a local paint shop. Have them sandblast and repaint it. Maybe even check in to powder coating.

Dad always said one of the most important things about boat longevity is how well the bunks fit, and you probably won't find a better fit than what you've got.

Spend your money on a supercharger ;-)

[matthewf]

Strip your trailer, have it hot dip galvanised and then if you prefer send it to the paint shop..will never rust again. in the mean time service all your running gear ready to refit. Better option than a new trailer.

[phenom_1819]

Okay...you guys are probably right.  I think I'm gonna invest in a disk-grinder.  Hell...once I get all the rust off of it, I could probably take it to Maaco or somewhere like that and they'd have this thing coated and looking good as new for a few hundred bucks.  Then I could replace the bunks myself.  A hell of a lot easier to re-do than a car, I'd guess?

I know I'm trippin'. But that's what us overly-anal people do.    I'm already sick of rolling over and looking at that ugly piece of crap.  

Oh, I'm talking about the trailer, BTW.

[cloudshady]

SAND BLAST AND POWDER COAT

[toyotafreak]

Speaking of pictures... CLOUDSHADY, SEND PICTURES.

All y'all need to recommitt to providing us with photos of your 'boats and rigs or something'.

I'm gonna ride tomorrow ( yes!!! ) and will take some pics for the greater good.

One of these days, I'm gonna sift through the archives and find out exactly WHO is short on pictures. Expect a big ugly post.

[phenom_1819]

Just FYI, I just got off the phone with Scott at Ameratrail, the same guy Sandy talked to (and got a great deal from) last year.

Ameratrail still has a dual-axle direct-drive trailer for the E/X22 sitting in their lot. He said he would let it go for pretty cheap, because it's just been sitting for so long, and they have no use for it.   Sounded like they'd sell it for around $2200.

It'd be about $5k to get the thing to Seattle. So that's definitely a no-go.  Damn.

Why is powdercoating so much better than painting?  What about the galvanization? Any problem with sanding and repainting galvanized steel? Does it have to be re-galvanized?

[toyotafreak]

Sorry I can't answer any of yer questions dude. Let us know what you find :-)

[brad]

I'm not an expert, but powder coating is generally more durable.  It's harder to ding or scratch.  Whether you powder coat or paint, any exposed metal will eventually rust.

To powdercoat, the process will probably require the trailer to go through a furnace-dryer.  I assume that would require disassembling your trailer which would not be fun.  You should be able to contact a local trailer company or local powder coat company and get a few good answers.

[phenom_1819]

I think that's what I'm gonna do, thanks Brad.  That's my long-term goal anyway.

In the short-term, I'm going to replace all the bunks, carpeting, and mounting hardware...and sand, primer, and repaint the mounting points.  They are in pretty bad condition.

If you look at the trailer in the "make it shine, baby" pics, you can see: it's pretty ugly to look at.

[toyotafreak]

Cal, whatever you do...DON'T go read Pete's PerfectPass install instructions, for there are some pictures in there showing a very clean, very fresh and well-cared for trailer. Covet not thy neighbor's trailer. Or his teak.

[cyclone]

I now confess that I take absolute crappy care of every vehicle I own. I almost destroyed my fence with the trailer three weeks ago. It was dark. I don't change oil as often as I should and I always flog the crap out of every vehicle. Boat included.

[phenom_1819]

I couldn't help it.  I looked.  And now I'm bummed out.  Pete...you wanna trade trailers? I promise I'll take good care of it.  

Damn, the underside of your boat is in good condition.   Please, please, please...for the love of Epics, keep it that way.  

Wow...the hull is 1" thick where you drilled. That is amazing...  but after looking at your core shot, I'm glad I didn't have to sand the gelcoat any further...doesn't look as thick as I thought it was!

[toyotafreak]

Pete, when you get done mending your fence, could you get a better shot of that core for us pretty please?

I change fluids, filters, belts, plugs, wires & tires, but can't do any real tune-up stuff. Instead of admitting that fact and taking vehicles to a mechanic, I just drive them until they melt their catalytic converters or won't start, etc. Can't do that with the Sequoia, though. 30K miles coming up and I'm taking her in - but DON'T TOUCH MY FLUIDS !!!!