WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

Boat Trailer Help - Eugene, Or

evantwheeler

evantwheeler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Messages
3,008
Reaction score
5,955
My good buddy is on his way up from Reno to meet me in WA and his trailer just broke at the tongue. He is at Exit 188 on I5 just south of Eugene. He is set on buying a new trailer in the AM to salvage his trip. Any dealer recommendations in the area? He has a 23’ Cobalt. Said he really really does not want to repair this one as it is likely to fail him again (aluminum). Tow truck on site to recover the boat, zero damage to the boat. Trailer only had surge brakes, he had a guardian angle looking over him today!



F493F983-C978-43BD-B827-0B71FC789804.jpeg
5FCE4253-2E0E-4C1B-B9E9-7893B044A95F.jpeg
DD84B362-856F-4336-A514-9AA399FC7279.jpeg
 
FreeBird236

FreeBird236

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2012
Messages
14,034
Reaction score
13,363
Glad it wasn't any worse. My Thoughts are, is there a trailer readily available? If not, I'd probably be looking for a good repair. I think it could be repaired in a way that it would never fail in that area again at least.
 
evantwheeler

evantwheeler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Messages
3,008
Reaction score
5,955
FreeBird236 said:
Glad it wasn't any worse. My Thoughts are, is there a trailer readily available? If not, I'd probably be looking for a good repair. I think it could be repaired in a way that it would never fail in that area again at least.
Click to expand...
Anything is fixable, but hed rather just get on the road as soon as possible if he can. He mentioned its the second time hes had to deal with frame issues on this trailer, but i didnt get the backstory on the first as the tow truck was pulling up and he had to run. Broke in a pretty shitty spot where the frame rails itersect, right at the heat affected zones of the welds. Aluminum is know for its poor fatigue characteristics, especially if it isnt welded properly. I just dont think he wants to take a chance on a poor repair as he obviously used his get out of jail free card on this one with zero damage.

7705059C-D660-4344-950F-35422F1E8A12.png
7055C050-74BF-4ED7-9270-4F2C10DD694E.png
 
Icky

Icky

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
8,230
Reaction score
9,940
I think if it was mine in a pinch I'd make new hitch from MS to go in the opening where it broke and bolt it in, temporarily.
But since it's not, I can not recommend something so reckless.
 
rrrr

rrrr

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
16,107
Reaction score
36,107
I'm not saying this is what occurred, but those generic aluminum trailers carrying a fairly heavy boat like a Cobalt are susceptible to fracture at that point when the bow isn't pulled down tight on the post. The repeated shocks fatigue the weld area and it eventually fails. I've seen it happen a couple of times.

Do those of you that tow with motorhomes have a rear view camera looking at the boat or toad? It seems like a really good idea.
 
RadMan

RadMan

Throbbing Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
1,898
Reaction score
2,049
Tough break, j/k

I would try both avenues at same time and hope for the best. Get the boat to a trailer/welding shop and start your new trailer search locally pronto. My guess is repair will happen first unless you are real lucky, and it seems you are and aren’t.

Best of luck.
 
Lumpy

Lumpy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
2,155
Reaction score
4,922
Holy shit! Talk about lucky! Time to buy a lottery ticket! Good Lord God Almighty!!!
 
evantwheeler

evantwheeler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Messages
3,008
Reaction score
5,955
He is at a facility that says they can get going on a repair in the AM. Will also call around and look for a trailer.
 
pixrthis

pixrthis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
2,217
Reaction score
5,652
evantwheeler said:
My good buddy is on his way up from Reno to meet me in WA and his trailer just broke at the tongue. He is at Exit 188 on I5 just south of Eugene. He is set on buying a new trailer in the AM to salvage his trip. Any dealer recommendations in the area? He has a 23’ Cobalt. Said he really really does not want to repair this one as it is likely to fail him again (aluminum). Tow truck on site to recover the boat, zero damage to the boat. Trailer only had surge brakes, he had a guardian angle looking over him today!



View attachment 1267274 View attachment 1267275 View attachment 1267276
Click to expand...
I passed this place a couple times this weekend and they have a lot of trailers on their lot. I have no idea if they can help.

Rogue Jet Boatworks

roguejetboats.com roguejetboats.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top