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Need Used Boat Trailer (Saltwater) Advice

Posted on 8/24/24 at 1:07 pm
Posted by Droplinebacker
Member since Jan 2004
890 posts
Posted on 8/24/24 at 1:07 pm
Need to pick up another trailer for my boat. Boat is a 27' Magnum with extra 2 foot engine bracket. So, 29' in total.

Found a good deal on a used dual axle trailer. Decent shape, brakes work (stainless surge brakes on one axle), boat weight and trailer weight capacity is fine, measurements work for my boat, price is right, etc.

Only issue is the axles (torsion). The axles are showing quite a bit of rust. My best guess is that I'll get 2-3 years out of these (tops), especially if the trailer is going to remain in Grand Isle.









Anyone have any thoughts on how I could extend the life of these? Would coating them in a rust preventer/converter work? Can I sandblast them and re-galvanize them? Should I just avoid the hassle altogether and not cheap out?
Posted by catchyalater
Louisiana
Member since May 2023
164 posts
Posted on 8/24/24 at 1:45 pm to
I had that same issue with my axle not long ago. You can probably grind it down slowly and yeah, hit it with rustoleum or something and extend the life of it.

But once it starts rusting it's not going to stop.
Posted by BayouBengalRubicon
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2019
531 posts
Posted on 8/24/24 at 9:47 pm to
My torsion Dexter axles look simliar and i'm not too worried about it. These things are really thick steel and not going to rust away for years. wire wheel the rust off and keep wd40 on it and it'll help prolong the life. The brackets, bolts, and brakes are what rusts away quickly.
Posted by Grassy1
Member since Oct 2009
7330 posts
Posted on 8/25/24 at 7:34 am to
I don't know the answer to your question, but there's a product called Fluid Film that thehulltruth users swear by.

I've used it and I'm sure it helps slow things down.

Posted by LSUDUCKMAN67
DTB
Member since Sep 2020
1621 posts
Posted on 8/25/24 at 5:38 pm to
Go buy an aluminum trailer out of Florida. A nextrail or a aluma trek

They delivered mine to my house
In SELA. There prices were way cheaper than any ones local. Made the trailer to what I wanted.
Posted by Lsutigerturner
Member since Dec 2016
7219 posts
Posted on 8/25/24 at 9:03 pm to
I mean are the brakes any good? Why not cut em off and put two new axles on there with no brakes as long as it’s just to get boat from house to boat launch and back?
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
23184 posts
Posted on 8/25/24 at 10:29 pm to
My concern would be them corroding from the inside out. I would spend the money and replace them.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23841 posts
Posted on 8/26/24 at 7:51 am to
You didn’t list the price, new axles are $1200-1600 in my experience, I’m replacing similar axles now that are in better shape to be honest. A really good custom trailer for a 29’ is going to be $8000+ so if you can get it for cheap and use it for 1-2 years close to home and put new axles on it for $3000 and it’s only $2500 I’d do it. If they are wanting $5000-6000 I’d probably look new/er but it may be $10-12k or more.
Posted by Droplinebacker
Member since Jan 2004
890 posts
Posted on 8/26/24 at 11:11 am to
I'm estimating $2000 on two new torsion axles. Price of trailer as is is $2800.
Posted by Droplinebacker
Member since Jan 2004
890 posts
Posted on 9/1/24 at 8:39 pm to
quote:

Go buy an aluminum trailer out of Florida. A nextrail or a aluma trek


I actually ended up doing this. Found someone down in Hialeah who makes new trailers in his backyard. (Of course he spoke no English whatsoever lol.) I ended up getting a brand new trailer at the exact size and weight limit I wanted for less than most of the used trailers I was looking at!

I did go check out the original trailer I posted, but the axles were a little too rusty for my taste.

Thanks to everyone who provided advice.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
18096 posts
Posted on 9/2/24 at 9:43 am to
Edited as I read your post wrong
This post was edited on 9/2/24 at 9:47 am
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