Trailer crossmember help

Dennischaves

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 9, 2016
Messages
439
I have an older shoreline trailer for a 19'boat
The 2 crossmembers that the leafsprings and axel attach to are very rotted
Im going to replace them
They are both 8' long
I can buy 3"x3" steel but should i get 1/8" steel or 1/4" thick?
 
Last edited:

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
What condition is the rest of the trailer? Often when parts start rusting like that, the rest isn't far behind. Tubes rot from within.

If you are going to replace the x-members, go with what's there now.
 

Dennischaves

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 9, 2016
Messages
439
The rest if the tailer is pretty good
The crossmemers arent the original ones looks like someone put them on from another trailer
Im just worried about the crossmembers collapsing from being too thin
The boat fully loaded is under 2000 lbs
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,304
get a new trailer. the rest of it will soon fail too.
 

ahicks

Captain
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
3,957
If a new(er) trailer just isn't in the cards-
I like C channel, so I don't have to worry about what is going on where I can't see. I'd likely go 1/8".
Old axles scare me too - because you can't see what's going on inside them either....
 

Dennischaves

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 9, 2016
Messages
439
Ok thanks guys i didnt think 1/8" would handel the load
Also my rollers have about 1/2" wobble in each direction
Is that about right?
 
Top