Elliot's hardware in Plano probably has the best selection I have seen of stainless fasteners in the metromess, west marine is pretty good too but they are awful proud of it.

Ok, I finally have done some work on the trailer yesterday and today. Took my grinder with cut off wheel and removed the metal supports for the side stepping platforms and a few tabs on the back of the trailer (aka shin busters), primed the metal and painted it black.





Tomorrow morning I'm ordering 14"galvanized wheels and Carlisle radial tires from Discount. I'll also pull the axle (again), remove the wheels/tires and measure to buy the appropriate new hubs & bearings. The trailer will be back in rolling chassis and in a fully restored state from when I bought her by next week. I'm heading to Rockport with the family again for the Fourth of July weekend and will be in San Antonio the following Wednesday-Sunday. So I'll be on a break for another two weeks before I get back to her. Then the real fun begins when I start building her out.

Well, I got the trailer back in rolling form. New hubs, bearings, Bearing Buddies. Rolling on new 14" galvanized wheels and Carlisle radial tires. I wanted to get it back in rolling form before the weekend since I'll be out of town for the next week and a half.

Of course, it's another step forward and two back. I noticed when I rolled it into the garage that the trailer wasn't sitting level. Sure enough the driver side is sitting 3/8" lower than the passenger side. Measured the springs and found out they're different. So, when I get back on the trailer I'll have to decide which spring I'm going to with. This "cheap" trailer is costing me a fortune.

Bummer!

That stinks about the extra costs, but doing it right always comes with a higher price tag. Looks great!

This.

Looking better all the time Josh.

If it only 3/8 inch difference and they are the same load range springs I wouldn't worry about it. As long as it doesn't rub or drag when it's loaded it should be fine. Just load the heavier kayaks on the high side.

Yeah, but I'll know that the driver side is shorter by 3/8" and it'll annoy me. Plus, I did the scientific "bounce on the frame above the spring to see how much it deflects" test and the spring on the diver side is much stiffer than the passenger side. I would rather swap them out without anything built on the trailer than when it's finished.

Well our resident "know-it-all" & Shaun have inspired me to try my hand in fixing up a trailer for my kayak & canoe. Also on my last outing on GV, I got tired of waiting for all the power boats to launch and load up I attempted to carry my kayak to my truck. I only managed to some what carry it over some rocks and drag it the rest of the way on grass, but managed to still get a couple of deep scrapes. After getting to my truck, I was so tired I felt like I was going to pass out gasping for air. After pouring 2 bottles of ice cold water over my head & face, I felt a little better to load mt kayak on to my truck bed. I won't be attempting that that anymore. With all those people around, no asked if I needed any help, but then again I didn't ask either. So, I have this boat & trailer that I bought from craigslist (my wife calls it my $1500 mistake since it has never seen the water since I bought it) I just might as well use the trailer for something. Just need to know how to get rid of the boat. May try to sell the boat & keep the trailer. If I can't find a buyer, may just give it away....To be continued

Ren, what kind of boat and trailer? Does it run?

It's a 1984 Phantom with 90hp Chrysler motor on a Dilly trailer. When I got the boat, the motor ran pretty good. I put in the shop to get the motor tuned up, but the mechanic said he won't fix it until I get the transom fixed. The guy I bought it from "neglect" to tell me about the transom problem. 1st time buying a boat, so I didn't know to check for that kinda stuff. Pretty much got had. Called around and the cheapest to get the transom fix was $1700. So it's been sitting in the backyard for going on 4yrs now. Still don't wanna give in to the wifey & say it was a mistake... But just don't have the money to fix it. Wanna fix it myself, but don't even know how to begin. Be awesome if I can find a buyer, but with the transom problem and no title for the motor it's gonna be hard. Have titles for boat & trailer though.

ya but but sure look sweet.
i bought some springs once at
norther tool. looks like its
been done right & should be yrs
before you have to do much to it
again

Sorry to hear you are having to spend so much time on the underneath of the trailer Josh. Have you had a chance to plan out how you want to the rack to be?