72 Promo Progress

I've had a bit of spare time to work on the Promo trailer lately which wasn't in terrible shape but needed some TLC to match the shine of the hull sides. Like most projects around here, this one has taken much more time than I really wanted. Outside of needing bunk carpet and lights the trailer was in pretty good working order when we picked it up from Tim's.

Here's a few before shots.




Our company uses a small manufacturing shop to build scenic pieces so I dropped the trailer with Dwight to have the bow stop and boat guides straightened. Thats where we initially started but I should have known with any project it doesn't end there. Long story short, the trailer also ended up getting a complete tear down, sandblast, new fenders and powder coat. A bit more than I wanted to do with a house remodel and baby on the way but it's going to look really nice.

Dwight and his guys did the sandblasting themselves and checked everything over before sending to be powder coated. He was able to tag the powder coating along with another project we had for the business which saved me some money.

His guys went through the running gear with new bolts/washers/spacers and then reassembled it all to a rolling trailer again. I'm still waiting on the original jack which somehow missed the truck to powder coating.



The new fenders ended up a bit smaller than I anticipated (sorry, Tim) but I can't complain too much given the total amount I paid for all their work.





Getting the wiring finished and mounting the bow stop and guides has taken me forever but I really want to take my time and do it once. Everything is fit and ready to come off one more time so we can put a single orange pin stripe on the lower 1/3 of the frame which I think will be a great touch. Still not sure if I'll order some generic orange or take it to my brother's body guy to have a color matched striped painted on by hand, I'm leaning towards the latter.







Lastly, I'm thinking these black steel wheels with baby moons will be just enough chrome and 70's style to tie everything together.   


Next up is to get new bunk boards cut and carpeted so we can get the boat back to the lake.

+1 on the baby moons.

cheapest way to make a trailer pop, if you can find them. my old man looked for months before stumbling on his.

Chris, those fenders kill me (esp since the originals were so nice!) but the rest of the trailer is looking great. Those wheels are great, but why not just paint the originals and save a few bucks? I'd be surprised if you couldnt find a 1/4" pinstripe tape that matched close enough... but I'd skip it entirely myself.

Bruce, thats a #3.

Adam, Im surprised you had such a hard time finding some baby moons... they seem readily available. They do look great on a vintage trailer though!

Riley wrote: TRBenj wrote: Bruce, thats a #3. It's bunks are a lot different than our #3DV. Was the #3 you sold like Chris'?

Yes. Thats a typical #3. The frame stayed the same size and shape from the late 60's until the early 80's. Thats what Ive been trying to tell you about the 3DV- the bunks do not taper towards the front like a #3... they have to remain parallel since they were built for the v-hulls. Having a bunk crossing a strake would be a big no-no. The wider bunks (towards the front) probably explain your loading difficulties.

A #3 should load easier, and a #2 even easier than that (since its narrower).

Riley wrote: I wish you told me that a couple years ago... I see Boatmates in our future.

Wish I knew that a couple years ago- otherwise I would have! Why go boatmate if there are CC options that load better? Obviously its less work to go buy a new trailer rather than restore an old one, but beyond that, I fail to see their appeal. Theyre not bad looking for an aftermarket trailer, I guess... but nowhere near as good looking as the factory trail, IMHO.

storm34 wrote:    I should have been more picky but I guess ya live and learn.

When it comes to trailers you can live and learn, I prefer to launch and go boating!

Greg, could you share some pictures of yours? Just got word that the trailer I had committed to isn't an option anymore. Might be back to a Boatmate someday after all.

Awesome thread.

Waldo

Todd, Not sure where Chris got his or if you can get them locally or not, but in Pete's absence I will fill in for him and suggest McMaster-Carr

Find a local company that does leaf spring repairs and most likely be able to take care of you

Re: The 1/2" U-bolts.

Bruce and Gregg, thanks for the info. I'll try Pete to see if he has a local guy with a set up to made them crude and cheap. Also I'll try to find a local guy here. Each boat trailer takes 4 sets, so it does begin to add up!!

Thanks, Todd

storm34 wrote: Our company uses a small manufacturing shop to build scenic pieces so I dropped the trailer with Dwight. He was able to tag the powder coating along with another project we had for the business which saved me some money. Lastly, I'm thinking black steel wheels with baby moons will be just enough chrome and 70's style to tie everything together.

Nice "equipment" trailer, ehhhh? (read business tax deduction )

Looking GOOD! ...and YES on the baby moons!

Some post-Christmas work was done tonight in our "new" warehouse so I thought I'd share pictures. We're moving buildings across the street (purchased instead of leasing) so the promo needed to get back on it's trailer to make the short trip down the gravel drive and into the new building.

For some odd reason most places in Des Moines don't carry quality bunk carpet in the winter months so we'll tackle that next week but the new bunks worked out great. This was the first time I had to cut new bunks so I was a bit skeptical. Everything worked out well but I wish I wouldn't have made the bevel so steep. This would have been the proper time to measure twice, cut once.

The trailer really makes the boat pop and it'll look much better with the finishing touches. Wiring still isn't done but I'm calling today a success.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

New bunks and fasteners.


PicturePat at the wheel of the fork lift.


Tucked away at the "new" building in good company


Nearly finished product

Yes, sir'ree she's looking great Chris. Can't wait to drive her again being all dolled up this winter.

Boats and shop do look great,hope you don't junk it all up with work stuff Black trailer looks great on the promo