will this work?

[rbigg]

Got an 18' Proline center console sitting on a trailer with problems. My trailer has the old classic two pieces of 2/4, fore and aft, parallel, approx 3' apart, that the boat hull rests on (bunks). One thing is my vertical bunk supports are corroded to the point of needing replacement. Two are badly enough corroded that they look they would collapse if I hit a bump while trailering along. Looks like I'm going to need to replace 'em at the house in my driveway.

My question is whether or not I can get away with doing 'em one-at-a-time. I'm going to have to chisel a few of the nuts, as they're so badly ate up with corrosion. Others I'll have to loosen with an impact wrench.

Is my hull weight likely distributed enough that I can remove and replace the vertical bunk supports one-at-a-time? My only concern is that if there's any appreciable "sag" when I loosen a given bunk support, then I might end up with new one being a couple millimeters lower than it was. Let's say this happens on all 6 vertical supports. Does that present any significant problem. Doesn't seem so, but would appreciate hearing from guys who've "been there, done that", and can tell me if I'll probably be OK .

Besides which I really don't want to put the trailer back on the streets with those supports like they now are.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: will this work?

With the trailer level and all tie-down straps released you can safely jack up one side of the boat slightly using a padded 2x4placed inboard of the existing bunk. Use two jacks if you have them to lessen stress. Use as long a 2x4 as will fit the space. Don't need to go very high, just enough to remove pressure from the bunk. Take careful height measurements before you remove the existing bunk. Set the new one the same.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: will this work?

what i do is lower the tongue of the trailer, and block the stearn up. then raise the trailer tongue, this lets the back of the trailer drop from the boat, go up high enough that you can block the bow, now lower the trailer a little and the boat is in the air. crawl under and go to work. heres a link for parts:http://www.championtrailers.com/

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: will this work?

get a sawzall, and lowes sells a 'fire/rescue' blade for cutting metal, these blades are fantastic. this makes short work of removing those old rusted bolts. cut the heads or nut off an keep on truckin. i quit along time ago messing with rusted bolts.