Please, I Need HELP or suggestions

EBEACH · #1 03-10-2004, 06:03 AM

I bought a boat from Wisconsin, and while having it towed back to the Northeast, the trailer lost a wheel. It’s a long story, but I really need some help. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

This happened about 10 days ago, and I just don’t know what to do. The boat, a 23 Tsunami, is currently 400 miles away in Pennsylvania just a couple miles off I-80.
I’m currently paying 10 bucks a day for storage at a camper sales yard out in the middle of no where (deliverance country). The people that have looked at it say they can’t fix it. The spindle is messed up, and it’s a torsion axle.

The hauler was going to come back and pick it up with a drop deck trailer this weekend but, as of this time, he doesn’t own one.

Apparently, the side that lost the wheel is overloaded and the wheel remaining on that side is pushing up into the fender. The boat can be moved, but not far. The out drive is only a couple of inches from the ground at this point and I really don’t think it could be pulled up, onto a drop deck trailer without burying the out drive.

Local quotes for a new trailer are 4k. I’ve called Nextrail, and they said $2,700 with brakes, delivered in about 10 days to 2 weeks. This is probably my best option, but what do I do with the old trailer, and how easy will it be to get it off one trailer and onto the other? Is this wise to do in a remote location? I hate to put the money into a trailer for I boat I haven’t seen in person. My great deal on the boat isn’t so great anymore. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

To further complicate things, my tow vehicle is a 2004 V8 Toyota 4-Runner with capacities of 5,000 weight carrying, and 7,000 with a weight distributing hitch. Capable of pulling it locally in my boating area, but seems too far to try this for the first time.

Looking for help, or suggestions. Boat is located in Brookville, PA 15825

MAP

Thanks, Jim

PipeDreamsMarine · #2 03-10-2004, 08:24 AM

What make trailer is it?... I'd call the builder of the trailer and get a new axle. It's easy to replace the axle, take a good jack and some wood blocking. Get all the hardware from the trailer company. Take some good tools and a buddy, do it your self. It's gotta be cheaper then 2,700.00 for the new trailer even if it takes you two days and you get a hotel room...If it made it a couple of hours farther east I'd have some people that could help you out..

EBEACH · #3 03-10-2004, 09:08 AM

Don,

Not sure of the make, the trailer is old. I've contacted the seller, and he thought it was by "TOW LOW" out of the Miami area. I can't find them.

If anyone in that area knows of them or could sniff around, let me know.

Thanks.

abl1111 · #4 03-10-2004, 11:19 AM

[censored]!
If I were in your shoes, I would take a deep breath. The boat is safe for now, right. So, if you can, have soemone measure the axle end to end and if possible. take a few digital pix of the axle, it's connections to the frame etc.

Then, bring that info and pix to a good trailer shop, speak on the phone or do some internet research and find out what axle ( I mean axle, hubs, rims tires etc ) can be bolted on. Find a local trailer supply place where the boats is near ( for parts etc ). Find out what tools you'll need, i.e. torch etc. Then go down there w/ a good, handy friend w/ all the parts you need, on a Friday night - stay in a cheap hotel , wake up early that Sat am and get the job done. Take her home. Check all the other axles and bearings too...

Or, can you rent a trailer from a local yard and bring it home that way. getting the boat off the present trailer: Bring a bunch of cinderblocks - 15 or so, a few bottle jacks and jack your boat off the present trailer - it will be tedious and time-consuming. The boat will then be on blocks. Remove the old trailer. Pay to have it discarded. Then do the reverse: back new trailer under bow of boat and slowly back up a few inches at a time while moving blocks back until boat is now on trailer. Your trucj=k should be fine, I think. Than, laugh and put it all behind you. Start grinding !!!

By the way, is this that E bay boat out in a field ?

-Alan

gbf03 · #5 03-10-2004, 11:36 AM

Last summer I had to move a 24 foot ultra i/o on a trailer with no wheels and only one of the two torsion axles left. I used a flat bed two car tow truck. It wasnt easy but with 3 guys and some 4x4s we were able to load it with no damage to the boat or outdrive. The only thing that was damage was the pavement it was on.

Rich · #6 03-10-2004, 12:45 PM

Was that the yellow one that sold for like 1500 a year or so ago?

Rich

abl1111 · #7 03-10-2004, 04:47 PM

Censored !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a NY'er , I have to curse !!!!

Anyway, the word was SH_T !

ocuyler · #8 03-10-2004, 05:34 PM

Jim,

I have a boat friend/business associate, Bill, that sells dairy machinery. He has a double drop split axle trailer like the ones you see with heavy equipment that come apart, drive up on and put back together. Anyway, he's in Hazelton, PA. Bill indicated that if you could get someone to pull the damaged trailer up onto his trailer, he can safely and legally haul it to the destination of choice. Bottom line is you may have to be flexible with time for availablity and the cost is $2 per loaded mile or around $800. Bill knows boats and would do a good job. Unfortunately it's expensive.

I would be happy to introduce you to him if it's an option that works for you.

Capt Chuck · #9 03-10-2004, 06:09 PM

Jim

Sorry to hear about your misfortune [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

I'm father away than you otherwise I'd help ya with an extra set of hands [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Hey Otto, in your avatar picture there is white material all over the ground behind your truck that matches the bottom of your boat. What is that stuff [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I'm going in the pool tonight......

EBEACH · #10 03-10-2004, 09:45 PM

Guys,

Thanks for your input. I was bumming real bad when I first got news of it. Had put it out of my mind after talking to the hauler who said he could pick it up with his flat bed (that he doesn't have). I'm now certain I'm going to have to get more involved and its forefront in my mind again.

I'm thinking I'm going out there this weekend, and to at least get a look at the boat for the first time, and to see just how bad things are with the trailer. While I'm there, I considering pulling the out drive off. I think it's too low to the ground to pull it onto a landoll trailer. I can't afford to have that get damaged.

I'll jack up the boat, and at least get the load off the lone wheel. I might just pull the trailer out and pull it home to fix, or if I do get a new trailer, I can sell the old trailer.
My only problem would be if I go with a flatbed move, I’ve towed the support away.
If I can’t remove the out drive, I’ll need a good trailer for sure.

Am I missing anything?

BTW- This is the boat that was on eBay back in October. I never bid on it, but emailed the seller about 2 weeks after the auction to see if the sale went through. Turned out to be a non paying bidder, or so I was told. The seller allowed me to keep the boat in heated storage until I was ready to move it, or before March 31.