Tips on replacing trailer for 22' C-Dory?

B

billzbub

New member
I think my '92 Pacific dual-axle trailer has made its last trip. Gary Estes had kept it going, but he's now retired.

It's currently sitting at Waypoint Marine in Ballard (Seattle) where they've estimated several thousand dollars to replace the disk brakes, bearings, and repair one of the axles.

So now I'm pondering the repair/replace choice. I'm thinking of selling my 1992 22' C-Dory Cruiser this fall, so would rather not invest in a brand-new trailer.

Any suggestions for reputable used trailer dealers would be appreciated.
 
What is wrong with the axle?

Full set of Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 10" Rotor - 5 on 4-1/2" - Dacromet - 3,500 lbs is $255 at E trailer. (One axle--you are required to have brakes on both axles in Washington State. I would not consider running a C Dory 22 on the highway without brakes--unless you have a really heavy duty truck (there is a clause in WA. which allows if the trailer weight is less than 40% of the Gross Vehicular Weight of the Tow truck that brakes are not required.).

So two sets would be about $550, including shipping. Seals are in the $5 each range. A new axle would depend on what the problem is-- My Pacific trailer had springs, so that is probably a fairly easy fix. It should not cost anywhere near the $2K if you are willing to spend a few hours doing the work. If there was a working system, then it should be fairly easy to "fix"

If the frame and tongue of your is OK just DIY.

When my single axle trailer failed, I did a trade for a very good tandem axle trailer rated at about 6,000# for 2K. That included re doing the bunks, and transferring my C Dory 22 to the "new" trailer after hours on a Friday night in the rain....Look around--including Craig's list and Boat Trader for a used trailer, but they are not all easily converted for the fairly flat bottom C Dory.
 
Thataway's were very helpful, but I don't have the skills to DIY the repairs. I'm just going to have the trailer repaired by professionals.

Thanks again!
 
billzbub":3bdcc5dy said:
...I'm just going to have the trailer repaired by professionals.
Click to expand...

Watch out for those "professionals", as they can sometimes inflate the job. My son just spent over $5000, which is more than his car is worth, and they wanted about $2000 for more "repairs" after the substantial work they initially did didn't fix the problem. Unfortunately, I was in Arizona and couldn't look at the car. The "professional" Chevrolet dealer/service in Burien replaced the transmission for an acceleration problem and a misfire code. Of course, that work didn't fix a misfire code, but a $2 can of injector cleaner did. I wonder about repairing an axle. They are pretty tough...is it the threads? I do understand that labor in Seattle is much more than just about any other place in the country, and marinas usually several TIMES regular shops, so several thousand might be what a repair costs after a few actual hours of labor is added. All trailers are pretty much alike, so I'd certainly get other estimates at other places that can repair trailers. There are a lot of smaller places that can do this work, just as well and probably much cheaper than a marina. As Bob said, it shouldn't be that expensive, the the work is generic.
 
billzbub":29852042 said:
Thataway's were very helpful, but I don't have the skills to DIY the repairs. I'm just going to have the trailer repaired by professionals.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

At least now you have a good idea of the parts cost
 
"Several thousand dollars to repair."

Emma Mae came with a brand new Aluminum Venture Bunk Trailer

- VATB-5225
- Aluminum Wheel

With a copy of the invoice for $3,445.44
 
A thought on trailer repair. I would not take my trailer to a marina, but would take it to a place that makes, or markets utility trailers. Much is the same as a boat trailer, and way less expensive. Something to look into, maybe. I’ve had axles replaced for $350......
 
All good advice. I really don't believe trailer work is $125 and hour, but many places will charge just that. And the sad thing is, the lot boy or the tire and lube "tech", ends up doing it for $8-10 an hour most of the time while the actual mechanic works on more important stuff. With the exception of welding spindles onto the axle, or some entry level machining work like turning rotors and drums, and maybe working on the brakes, almost all of the normal stuff trailers need unskilled laborers can and do end up doing in a shop.
 
Check into pulling the hydraulic discs and just replacing with electric brakes. Not that hard of a job to do yourself, but even if paying labor to have it done, it shouldn't be much more than replacing the discs, but the parts would be much cheaper! Colby
 
I have a single axle trailer that came under my 95, 22 Angler. I tow cross country over and back each year; so I bought a new twin axle trailer.
PM me your email and ill send current pics. I need to get it off a friends lot.
Would post pics here but pics are on a thumb drive I have to find in a home improvement project... and all that time to post and change pics on here.
Gotta go now...time to pull crab pots.
The trailer is not real pretty but all the working parts are in good shape.
 
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