My trailer re-hab project..

[tturbonegro]

Starting with a 2004 SEA LION single galvanized trailer..
Not going too crazy just a basic re do to something that better fits my personal tatse on what a trailer should look like without spending a small fortune..
For now I'm doing...

All new wiring & plug
New LED lights
New winch strap
New front bumper roller
New safety cables
New bunk wood
New bunk carpet
New front coupler
And basically just clean everything up and give it some fresh paint

Then I will look into a new wheel and tire set up and some more custom touches like some type of front storage box and I want to put a makeshift carpeted 'walkway' on the sides at the fender height to make it easier to walk around while launching and working on ski..I have a few ideas in my head just have to put something together..

I just picked this one up yesterday..here's how I got it...

Started to tear it down as soon as I could...

It's now ready to be prepped for primer and paint..I'll take some more pics the next day I get a chance to work on it..

 

[RFoster130]

Sounds like a good start. You can find wheel and tire combos on ebay for $150 shipped to your door. I have pretty much redone my entire trailer. it makes a big difference cosmetically and things work much better.

 

[tturbonegro]

Nice, yea I have checked out most of the ones on eBay...there is also some very radical set ups for golf carts but not sure how the would handle 60+ mph highway driving..
I'm thinking I'd like to go bigger for sure...wider and larger diameter ..just ALOT of options out there so not sure what I want to do yet..gonna paint the current ones till I decide..

Picked u some new parts today..
Got the lights, wiring, plug, bumper roller, strap, cables, coupler, carpet, even found a nice little lockable storage box for the front...now. Just need primer, paint, bunk wood, and some elbow grease..

 

[RFoster130]

Sounds good, be sure to post pics as you go along. Will be great for others who wanna rebuild their worn out trailers.

 

[tturbonegro]

Got some progress done...everything mostly painted and put back together few details and finishing touches to do..still have to wire new lights and install some other new stuff..
Cut new pressure treated 2x4's @ 6tft, got them sanded down, rounded the edges, etc..still need to wrap them
Also got hardware to mount box, new eye hooks for rear tie downs, new stainless screws and finsh washers for bunks, etc..

Also got hardware for winch safety chain..

 

[djredman99]

Looks good so far. Interested in seeing the finished product.

 

[tturbonegro]

Thanks..here's some more pix...

 

[speedster32940]

Looking good! I like your hardwood floors too!!!

 

[crisso]

Polished stainless steel sheathing to go around the outside of the trailer.?That really dresses it up.Not that dear either.You get it in strips and Sikaflex it on.

 

[tturbonegro]

Thanks! No stainless strips for me...wanted to keep it pretty blacked out

 

[tturbonegro]

Update....

Not 100% done but it's usable...

 

[djredman99]

Question: Did you do anything to prep the galvanized steel before painting it? I am under the impression that just painting over without spraying it with the appropriate chemicals first will cause the paint to peel off within 2-3 years.

 

[tturbonegro]

I didn't go crazy..I'd content if it lasted 2 years..I get bored quick...but I am very happy with how it turned out..
I sanded it, washed it, wiped it down with acetone, primered it with etching primer, and sprayed it a few times with the black...should be easy touch up because I will be using it and stuff gets scuffed up and put in water, etc...

 

[djredman99]

I didn't go crazy..I'd content if it lasted 2 years..I get bored quick...but I am very happy with how it turned out..
I sanded it, washed it, wiped it down with acetone, primered it with etching primer, and sprayed it a few times with the black...should be easy touch up because I will be using it and stuff gets scuffed up and put in water, etc...

Well, you may be in the clear. I did a quick look into it and found a nice PDF file about it. If you paint it within 48 hours of the galvanizing process you are OK. The first year after the galvanizing process is the time period where you have to prep the material with specific chemicals. After a year, the oxidizing of the steel (again, don't know too much about all this) should be finished and all you have to do it remove the dirt/oil from the surface.

You cleaning the frame with acetone probably took care of this for you, so according to the document I read, you are in the clear. Hope it holds up for you. Looks great in the pics.

Here is a a quote from the PDF:

"The painting of galvanized steel has been a difficult
task for many people. The secret of good painting on
galvanized steel is the surface preparation of the
galvanized surface. If the surface is newly galvanized,
that is less than 48 hours out of the zinc kettle, the surface
can be painted after a surface roughening procedure. If
the surface of the galvanized part has been exposed to the
environment for more than one year then the surface can
be painted after the dirt, grease and oils have been
removed. The most difficult time to paint galvanized steel
is between one day and one year after it has been
galvanized. Following the correct surface preparation
procedures can give a satisfactory duplex system. "

 

[Sink]

Great job on the trailer!!! Looks fantastic! What did you find out about the golf cart tires? Are they ok on the hiway?

 

[RFoster130]

looks good!!!

 

[tturbonegro]

Thanks guys!
It is an 04 so I'm sure some of the surface has been worn off a little by now haha..
I didnt look into them much more...they do have ones that said dot I believe...I wasn't ready to sink $500+ on a set of rad wheels and tires just for a ski trailer...yet..but I will when I move to FLa and it becomes a year round and bigger hobby for me..
Until then..I got some nice bigger and wider tires with a pretty cool tread design on some 10" wheels...the design of the wheel matches my truck wheels...I sprayed them black as well...I like how they stick out of the fenders...
I'll get some better pics when it's all cleaned up and hooked up to the truck ...

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Nice job.
I did the same on my boat trailer last year.

 

[Jacobdixon]

This looks really very nice and seems to be very tough too to carry heavy Ski doo on it to a long distance as well as in tough climate. Great work keep it on

 

[Jacobdixon]

Can you post some more pictures for update of your work that have completed till yet