ober51
Well-known member
I bought the trailer, seems to ride fine, I am leaning on just leaving it. I realize the tires will wear a bit differently, but I think this will get me by for a couple years?
Any advice on taking off rusty bolts? I am thinking of going to Harbor Freight tomorrow and getting a die grinder and a cutter to take them off. I could heat them, but I figure this is easier.
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I have a line on a nice big Cox trailer. Almost everything is good (owner is replacing the seals, repacking bearings, etc.) including lights and whatnot, except I noticed that the tongue - about 2' from the coupler - is bent. It isn't that bad, it has a slight bubble and indentation, and the owner didn't even realize it. I do believe him, he's well into his 70s, a really nice guy who was forthright about everything else. He said the trailer was fine when he used it, and didn't feel anything different than any other trailer. This may be true, but I won't chance this.
My question is, can this be bent back with some heat and without problem? Will it compromise the integrity/strength of the tongue? I imagine I can heat it, bend it back and then reinforce the sides with two pieces of steel and then bolt it through the frame (maybe even weld it to the frame). My issue would then be whether the winch post position would be where the bend is (the guy had a 17' boat and the bend is right before the post).
If I can't bend it back with heat, can I cut it, and weld another piece? How about a swing away tongue? It wouldn't help with tongue length (and would potentially cut down on my trailer length), would it?
He is asking $500, it's a 1988, good tires, really good frame aside from this slight bend, lights, registration, etc. He said price is negotiable, I am thinking if this is a relatively easy fix, I may ask for $350 and maybe go as high as $450?
Any/all advice appreciated.
Any advice on taking off rusty bolts? I am thinking of going to Harbor Freight tomorrow and getting a die grinder and a cutter to take them off. I could heat them, but I figure this is easier.
-------
I have a line on a nice big Cox trailer. Almost everything is good (owner is replacing the seals, repacking bearings, etc.) including lights and whatnot, except I noticed that the tongue - about 2' from the coupler - is bent. It isn't that bad, it has a slight bubble and indentation, and the owner didn't even realize it. I do believe him, he's well into his 70s, a really nice guy who was forthright about everything else. He said the trailer was fine when he used it, and didn't feel anything different than any other trailer. This may be true, but I won't chance this.
My question is, can this be bent back with some heat and without problem? Will it compromise the integrity/strength of the tongue? I imagine I can heat it, bend it back and then reinforce the sides with two pieces of steel and then bolt it through the frame (maybe even weld it to the frame). My issue would then be whether the winch post position would be where the bend is (the guy had a 17' boat and the bend is right before the post).
If I can't bend it back with heat, can I cut it, and weld another piece? How about a swing away tongue? It wouldn't help with tongue length (and would potentially cut down on my trailer length), would it?
He is asking $500, it's a 1988, good tires, really good frame aside from this slight bend, lights, registration, etc. He said price is negotiable, I am thinking if this is a relatively easy fix, I may ask for $350 and maybe go as high as $450?
Any/all advice appreciated.