I was getting ready for our family vacation on the Wolf River, so I was giving our boat a quick once over to ensure there was nothing that needed attention.
The first thing I checked was the trailer lights, and of course they didn't work. No big deal, got everything rewired and working again, however while I was rewiring it I noticed what I thought was surface rust on the trailer.
I thought no big deal, just hit it with a wire wheel, some sandpaper, primer, and then paint. I thought while I was at it, I'd also look at the bottom of the trailer, and sand / paint that as well. When I looked at the bottom, I couldn't believe my eyes, completely rusted away, You could literally put a finger right through it: The structural integrity wasn't there, it was like Swiss cheese!
Looked on the other side / bottom of the trailer and found more of the same. So crazy, you couldn't see it unless you were on your back, underneath the trailer. The top had 0 rust, and the sides had just a bit.
Started to price new trailers, and for a decent one the price was around 8k - wanted no part of that lol!
Took it to a welder instead, and he said no problem, give me two days and you can pick it up.
He got 1/2 of the trailer done today! Pretty happy with what he has done so far.
Also, very grateful I noticed and the trailer didn't come apart on the highway at 70 mph - could have ended badly.
I still can't hardly believe how bad the degradation was, and it wasn't obvious, and not visible unless you were on your back underneath.
It really looked like just a bit of surface rust.
