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stainless trailer hardware ?

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Spimothy Leary

Spimothy Leary

Well-Known Member
ok,

i've bought two trailers in the past week, a single and a double and my plans are to hold onto them for a while, so i'm replacing the hardware since the PO's used crap screws/bolts. bought everything I needed to do the single trailer the other day at Home Depot, and man, those bolts/screws are farking expensive ! aggravating to pay $.75 each for bunk screws, nuts, etc, add's up quickly.

I go thru a few trailers a year but usually i'm just cleaning them up and ignoring the rusty bolts since the trailer is heading to a new home, but since I plan on keeping these i'd like to do it right.

but since i'm buying/matching up individual items, the local hardware or box store are pretty much my only logical options, maybe the trailer shop nearby might save me a few $$ i dunno. It sure is convenient to just bring in the rusty old bolt/nut and match it up with new, but I just feel like i'm getting raped.

is this pretty much the only viable option since i'm not going to buy 50packs of stuff ? I just feel like i'm getting screwed, I do have a fastenal nearby but they generally only sell big packs.

(not to mention $20 for monel staples)

so far the only thing cheap was the bunk carpet, since I discovered a long time ago that home depot will cut your bunk carpet dirt cheap right to size, my 2x4 bunk carpet only cost $4.31 for two 6 foot lengths by 10". and i'll be going back to get more for 2x6 bunks on my double.

ps... that evaporust stuff is the bomb ! some of even the galvanized pieces had a layer of rust on them that kind of grew out from the bolt, I tossed them in the bucket and soaked them for a couple of days, cleaned them up spectacularly ! Like new.
 
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I've found that Lowes has a better selection of SS than Home Depot.

If you are only going to keep the trailer a year or two then look into galvanized hardware.....resist rust more than steel but will rust over time.

Let's see some pics of your 2 new trailer projects and your new updated ski.
 
Seadoobuddy said:
I've found that Lowes has a better selection of SS than Home Depot.

If you are only going to keep the trailer a year or two then look into galvanized hardware.....resist rust more than steel but will rust over time.

Let's see some pics of your 2 new trailer projects and your new updated ski.
Click to expand...

i'll check lowes, good idea, HD is a little closer by a few miles so I just stopped there.

I'll post pic's when done, i have 3 days of riding coming up this weekend so the double is going in the water "as is" while i finish up the single, then i'll throw both ski's on stands while I redo the bunks & hardware on the double. but i'm not looking forward to the trip to the store. (for the record, the little xp looks tiny next to the big gp1300, its almost comical :) )
 
You are getting raped. Your paying for someone to break the screws down from a box. Bulk price is always better.

Do yourself a favor, Go to HD and take said screws, find the matching nut. Now you know the thread pitch(If you don't already know it). Go home and measure the length of the screw. A standard cap screw is measured from under the cap, so you're measuring just the length of the body of the screw. Go on Mcmaster and buy in bulk. I hate when I need a screw on the weekend that I don't have and I can't wait until Monday to go to the shop, I feel violated paying their prices.
I bought a bunch of these old bins from my local hardware store when they did a remodel. Sadly, that is th eonly thing I ever bought from them. I bought a can of spray paint from them once and just about threw up when I saw it for EXACTLY half the price at Home Depot for the exact same can. Here's your sign! I wonder how they still survive, guess the yuppies around me love to have their hand held while doing a project.


Right on my work bench

141.jpg



My 1/4-20 bin--in the Metric box, LOL. Thanks Spim, just noticed I'm getting low on 1/4-20 flats and nuts.

142.jpg
 
ocod said:
If you have an ACE they have a good SS selection.
Click to expand...

lol @ racer... you have everything i need man !

yes ocod, ace has everything and more, and surprisingly the prices for individual pieces were about the same, i stopped there first, and probably only saved about $4 by going to HD after I sh1t my pants at the prices :)

since I won't be in a big hurry for the double project, I might order in bulk and just have extra's.
 
I have an Ace, Lowes, and a Home Depot by me.

So far Ace has been the best for both selection and price for SS hardware.
 
OK guys... you know I own a machine shop, and I manufacture parts. I will tell you now.... Fastnel and Granger are both CRAP, USELESS companies. !!!

I have a granger rep show up a few times a year... and they are happy to match prices (on bulk) but I don't want to chase a price down, every time I buy hardware. (and I've told him that)



So... when I need small quantity bulk (under 100 pc) I buy from Bolt Deopt. They are a mail order house... and they have good prices. When I need large quantities... I buy direct from the bolt manufacturers. (Star stainless is one) But you have to buy HUGE numbers to maintain an account.



http://www.boltdepot.com/



Oh.... and actually... if you need something fast... McMaster Carr has a good selection, and the prices aren't bad. But the best part is... if I order something by 3:30 PM EST... I have it the next day !!!!!!!!!! And they shipping prices are GREAT !! I ordered some hardware, that included 3 foot sections of 6mm stainless threaded rod. (so... it was a long box) I basically got it overnight... and the shipping was under $6.
 
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I'm going to redo the bunks on my trailer in Florida in a couple weeks when I visit.

I like spim's idea of HD pricing on carpet. The bunks I have in MI for my GTX (trailer has 12 " tires) are 6 feet long. My neighbor with a GTi and a short trailer,8" wheels has bunks that are 46 " long.
I checked out WCSS for carpet. they have 12" X 12' for $22.99...enough for 2 bunks if I cut them down to about 5-1/2 feet long each.

Has anyone used their marine carpet? http://www.watercraftsuperstore.net/203LJ001.html

I've bought carpet (a LOT) at HD before in 2006 and just used the last of it last year for a new (used) hoist.

How long are the bunks for a GSX, or does it depend on the trailer size?
I assume it uses lag screws to attach the bunk to bracket.

Here a few pics of my current trailer with ski.

seat new cover 3.JPG...seat new cover.JPG...99 GSX.jpg
 
those look like 5' or less, 6' should be more than enough
on my last bunk build I put 6' bunks, actually I shaved them down to like 5'9" so I could tuck under.
 
Spimothy Leary said:
those look like 5' or less, 6' should be more than enough
on my last bunk build I put 6' bunks, actually I shaved them down to like 5'9" so I could tuck under.
Click to expand...

That's my thinking too, esp since the carpet comes in 12 ft rolls. I was going to go with 10" wide and 6 ft long carpet with the 2X4 cut to about 5'6" to 5'9" like you did. The 10 inch wide cut will allow 2 inches of wood to show on the bottom to help drying.
I need about 12 SF of carpet 10" X 12' for 2 bunks. And about 208 SS staples per our last phone conversation. :)
 
note:
2x4's are really 1.5x3.5 )(that's a discussion for another thread lol) but anyways... so 10" actually wraps completely around, if you want a gap on the bottom, you need like 9.25" IMO for the limited use your trailer will get, 10" is just fine, it will have months to dry out :)

200 staples seems like a lot, but I tend to use a LOT more staples when i'm using an air stapler vs hand stapler...

bring your stainless, but I have monels, and also I have a battery operated skill saw so we can trim the wood/edges etc... and I have weldwood too....

if you like I can mail the stapler to you regional priority mail for probably about $6, so if you want it ahead of time, just let me know and i'll drop it in the mail, otherwise, on the 6th just plan on coming early and we'll launch you, and donkey around with it while waiting for the other riders... if they all get there on time/early, we can just stop and finish later.
 
Spimothy Leary said:
note:
2x4's are really 1.5x3.5 )(that's a discussion for another thread lol) but anyways... so 10" actually wraps completely around, if you want a gap on the bottom, you need like 9.25" IMO for the limited use your trailer will get, 10" is just fine, it will have months to dry out :)

200 staples seems like a lot, but I tend to use a LOT more staples when i'm using an air stapler vs hand stapler...

bring your stainless, but I have monels, and also I have a battery operated skill saw so we can trim the wood/edges etc... and I have weldwood too....

if you like I can mail the stapler to you regional priority mail for probably about $6, so if you want it ahead of time, just let me know and i'll drop it in the mail, otherwise, on the 6th just plan on coming early and we'll launch you, and donkey around with it while waiting for the other riders... if they all get there on time/early, we can just stop and finish later.
Click to expand...

You are right about the measurements of a 2X4. I measured the bunk on my trailer up here with a 2X4, it measured 12 inches around with carpet already on it, so I guess that made up the extra length.

I'm planning on having everything done except the stapling of the carpet. I'll even loosen the bolts on the bracket if need be (without snapping them off :) ). I'll have lag bolts or what is necessary with me. Ratchet set, etc too

What are monels? .....too lazy to Google it :)

*****
Ok I googled it...couldn't wait :) Rustproof, aren't SS also rustproof?
 
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MMMM, I took a scrap piece of carpet and wound it around a small 2X4 and marked it, leaving a 1 inch gap it came out to be 9 inches. You were right on.

so that's even better in cost wise now I only need a 9"X12' piece. 1296 SI = 9 SF X less a buck psF
 
I didn't read the entire post.

But,,, not wrapping a bunk all the way allows the carpet to dry faster as well.

The strip of wood acts like a wick. As you travel down the road it dries quickly pulling the water from the carpet.
 
Would it help if I painted or stained the "treated 2X4"?

Granted that might be an overkill for me on this trailer since I only use it 2 times a year in FL. but might be helpful in the future
 
I've always used treated lumber for bunks. Also I use cadmium plated or galvanized hardware, BUT, I don't live near salt water and when not in use my trailers are in the garage. If I lived in Florida I would definitely use stainless steel hardware.

Lou
 
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i'm all about stainless and monel's, but my usage level is high, the trailer get's wet probably 40-45 times a year, with 10 being full salt, and 20 being brackish... so in my situation, its not an option really unless your selling the trailer in 6 months or less :) Given SDB's usage level, honestly Tim you could use anything you want, just rinse it after. But in the end I still suggest spending the extra few bucks for stainless hardware, etc, but I wouldn't buy a box of Monel's just borrow some from me :)
 
Spimothy Leary said:
i'm all about stainless and monel's, but my usage level is high, the trailer get's wet probably 40-45 times a year, with 10 being full salt, and 20 being brackish... so in my situation, its not an option really unless your selling the trailer in 6 months or less :) Given SDB's usage level, honestly Tim you could use anything you want, just rinse it after. But in the end I still suggest spending the extra few bucks for stainless hardware, etc, but I wouldn't buy a box of Monel's just borrow some from me :)
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll stick with SS for now and bring 3 strips with me in the original box. If it doesn't make it past TSA I'll let you know.
I won't know what hardware I need until I get down and dirty with the trailer brackets :)
SS was about $12 for a box of 1000 staples. How much are monels?
 
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