Old trailer resto vs. New trailer?

[Karsten]

So I have this 40 year old boat that should soon be new but I have a solid but FUGLY trailer under it.

Trailer needs to be dropped off at a local Powder Coat shop and be completely redone...$750 there abouts.

New 5 lug hubs to replace the 4 lugs with bearing and all say $150.00 with labor.

New wheels and tires in 13 inch 5 lug close to $200 plus a spare then new lights, wiring and reflectors.

The boat is only a 16 ft outboard on a bunk trailer and I am thinking I might be ahead to upgrade to a new Aluminum Trailer.

Any thoughts or advise?

Thanks

Karsten

[wannabee]

Karsten: I guess just price out a new trailer and see what they cost. Your current trailer needs about $ 1000 worth of work it sounds like. If a new trailer is only $ 2000 than I would not put the extra in. An aluminum trailer will have almost no maintenance. You dont need brakes with only a 16 ft outboard boat that weighs about 1200 lbs if it is the one in the pic.

Wannabee

[RNM018]

Well you just looking at the large parts . It's the small stuff that will kill you on cost . Bunks , Hardware , Carpet , Lights ,Fenders , Winch ,and Jack . Now redo your math and see where you end up at . Buy the time you've done this , plus your labor . A new trailer looks sweeter by the moment .


Rich Martin 018

[transomstand]

I did one over a couple years ago, I ended up with near equal cost of a new one, well over $1000.

[1BadAction]

I'm building my own trailer as we type, and will say this about it... if you depend on Northern tool, and retail stores like it for your parts, you will end up having more into the trailer that one will cost new. A good bit more actually.

If you spend the time, make a list, and buy all the trailer parts from a shop selling wholesale, then you can possibly come out a little bit ahead. It isn't going to pay for your time of restoing it, but the trailer will be exactly what you want, which is worth something. IMO.

[transomstand]

but the trailer will be exactly what you want, which is worth something. IMO.

That's why I kept going with mine, otherwise I would have cut it up halfway through the project. I'm very happy with the way it came out, but I don't think I'd do it again.

[stokernick]

was checking out the 22 ft.Stoker and noticed the EXTREME trailer ,check out their website.They also do restorations!some nice bling!!

[VELOCITY 3.6GT]

Check ebay or daves trailer sales in virginia... Cant beat his prices... Saved me thousands on an identical trailer.

[VELOCITY 3.6GT]

Check ebay or daves trailer sales in virginia... Cant beat his prices... Saved me thousands on an identical trailer.

[VELOCITY 3.6GT]

CHECK EBAY OR DAVES TRAILER SALES IN VIRGINIA... CANT BEAT HIS PRICES... SAVED ME THOUSANDS ON AN IDENTICAL TRAILER. jUST

[riverrat69]

Go to expediter.com for every and any trailer part you could ever need.

[Ron V]

I'd get a quote on an open C channel steel trailer before I decided anything. That should lower the cost even more. C channel trailers last forever even with total neglect because everything is open except the tongue and therefore they don't have the problems draining like tubular steel trailers. I would never get another tubular steel trailer unless the tubes were wide open at the back - and I haven't found any new ones that are. Tubular is what everyone packages with their boats now, but I'm disappointed in the condition of my Vanguard for being only 15 years old. Those small drain holes just don't do the job. It has a lot of life left, but it is in far worse shape than my dad's '73 Trailcar with the open channel frame. I also have a '78 Trailcar under my fishing boat, it is tubular but the tubes are open at the back and it is in excellent condition inside.

[waytooslow]

One thing to keep in mind is that your old trailer has value that offsets the cost of the new trailer. Folks who just need a trailer for storage not transport will buy it on sites like Craigslist. $400 can make the decision easier.