Springs :(

[Fayetteguy]

Well last time i took the boat out on the ride home i noticed alot more squeaking and creaking when i found bumps on the way home.....So i figured i should check everything to see how it all looks......Well i found some rusty rusty springs :) This sux because i was going to go the next two mornings, but i dont wanna chance being broke down on the side of the road again. So hopefully i can pick up two new springs in the morning and maybe save my sunday morning fishing day.

Just posting this as a reminder to check your stuff out! It was an older trailer, and now i have had it in the salt for 2 years, the trailer is 14 years old, so id say those springs did their job :)

Sux though when you get a call the evening before your going fishing from a friend who had 19 reds between 19 and 32 inches..............what irritates me more is he caught them where i taught him to fish!!!

-FG

[Fayetteguy]

Well one side is done, now its raining. Was rusted so bad that bolts had to be hacksawed off, or at least cut halfway then broke. While spending two hours doing this it made me think......

Is there any way to prevent this besides just rising? The trailer shop said CLR makes a product that sprays on and kinda greases? it up or coats the metal to help prevent rust. Any thoughts or your own ideas?

-fG

[Shakespeare]

Here's a good article on leaf spring maintenance and also a recommendation of CRC marine corrosion inhibitor.

http://blog.easternmarine.com/replacing-leaf-springs-on-a-trailer/

[tpurvis]

I used a tube(s) of grease and coated the springs and hangers, on the trailer. Forms a good protective barrier, when you run it up and down the road the dust will bond with the grease acting like cosmoline. The only problem I had was when the dog rubbed up under it and the wife let her dog back in the house---wasn't a happy camper....

[TexasCoastman]

I think you still need to rinse. I saw posted on here (or somewhere else) what I think is a really cool rinsing idea. Put your lawn sprinkler on the garden house and shove it under the trailer in the middle. Turn on full blast for 20-30 minutes. Trailer rinsed, lawn watered. I think it probably does a better job than going to the car wash, or just using a nozzle.

[Harry]

I think you still need to rinse. I saw posted on here (or somewhere else) what I think is a really cool rinsing idea. Put your lawn sprinkler on the garden house and shove it under the trailer in the middle. Turn on full blast for 20-30 minutes. Trailer rinsed, lawn watered. I think it probably does a better job than going to the car wash, or just using a nozzle.

That was me, but I read it in a my Saltwater Sportsman magazine..... ;D

My Grandpop always told me (since we fished in the salt) if you don't do anything else after your fishing day is done, a freshwater rinse is the best thing you can do for your equipment.

[Riverine1969]

Try rinsing, then apply Boeshield the next day, after the springs are dried out...........do it regularly. As far as your friend catching fish..........sounds like you're a good fishing instructor.........says a lot (good) about you.

http://www.boeshield.com/

http://www.theruststore.com/Boeshield-T-9-12-oz-Aerosol-P3C4.aspx
Jim

[Lite 1]

I like low maintenance. Put high temp brake greese ($3 Walmart) over all springs, axles, galvanized bunk supports on trailer as soon as I got it home. Just like other boat/trailer in 2002. Wipe greese off of springs and no rust. Reapply greese every year or two. Galvanize still intack. Looks crappy but pays for itself over and over.
Lite 1