Thread: boat trailer repair

Mate ... I don't know if you can cold bend c section that far. If it is done with heat, it will anneal the steel and that means it may bend further than you want after it is in use. If you cut and weld it, you will need to cut a vee section out, leaving the bottom flange intact, then place a gusset inside the c section, flat against the back and fully weld to keep the rust out...
"One Purpose"
Head down ... amps up

Ok can I ask a silly question ???..
Apart from the obvious weight issue..
(Surely couldn't be that crucial for intended application)..
Why wouldn't you use galv tube.. ??..
Not bend it.. Miter it, and weld (Also seal) the miter completely..
That way salt water is not "Pooling" on the inside of the C-section and
you don't need to go through the Delema of trying to bend anything ??..
Am I obviously missing something hear ??...

The problem with galv tubing is, when it is welded it melts the galv coating away on the inside leaving bare metal that can't be sealed.Then condensation will cause rust to set in ... With c section, all surfaces are visible so can be sealed ... The only way to stop rust on any welded product is to have it galv dipped after all fabrication is finished, and even then it is not foolproof.

Yes I can see how that would be a delema !!
Is it not possible for the Galv tubing to be capped /sealed off so that moisture can not penetrate inside ??..

Without getting too technical, the air inside the tube contains moisture and when it goes from hot to cold, a type of dew settles on the inside..So sealing the ends keeps the moisture out and in

Ok..
Now its starting to make more sense !!!..
Would it be possible to fill the tube with a rust preventative before capping it ??..
Will this slow down the inevitable ??..

I did that with my draw bar (on tilt boat trailer) with the same intention of slowing down the inevitable. I only used enough to coat the surfaces. ... Time will tell

Iam thinking even more useful for the parts that are immersed in salt water !!!
Even your old sump oil would have to be better than nothing !!!
I couldn't see why you cant attach a bung on the top surface to occasionally refill if necessary..