Ramlin Trailer Repair

There is one near your old stomping grounds,Franklin Park. Seems like it would have been a good idea for any box frame manufacturer to coat it when built. It isn't like they never see water!

Otto Throttle wrote: The question still remains....how did they attach it at the factory if the square frame is solid, and there is not any access behind or below for a nut and bolt?

Did Brandon's (marlo14) explanation explain how the bunks are held on?

My experience on Ramlin and Prestige trailers has been this: they staple the carpet on the outside of bunks, then they use self tapping screws to attach bunk to frame, and finish stapling carpet as close to frame as possible on inside. Holes were counterbored to recess the head of fastener, and one or two had caulk to “fill” void flush with board. The three trailers I have had apart, most of the holes were rusted out and would not even hold a larger screw. You need to move a few inches away and put new holes for screws. I also had a trailer where previous owner put studs thru bunk, carpeted, and drilled holes thru top and bottom of frame rail, and put nut on bottom... looks bad but works.
With all this said, inspect trailer very well before making decision, it is a sign trailer is on last leg. The current trailer I have has the thru bolts, so they have already fixed it once, and the frame is weak and rusting bad where they put drain holes/wire fishing holes on underside of box tubing, (especially ones right behind the tube in front for tilting tounge).
Remember on a wishbone trailer there is no “triangulation” with the boat and a roller on the winch stand under the bow eye, the bow of boat tends to bounce causing these trailers to flex more than your “standard”style boat trailer. Don’t really want to see the outcome of a failure! I may try to have a local steel shop bend me some new rails this winter, everything else steel on the trailer is great as it is all open and doesn’t trap moisture. Also heard this is why some trailer manufacturers use channel instead of tubing, tubing looks better though.

Otto Throttle wrote: No I know my trailer is fine.

I don't think you've looked deep enough especially inside the rectangular tube main frames.

M3Fan wrote: the reason that came off is because it rusted around that hole from the inside out.

No I know my trailer is fine. Here is a picture of what I am talking about. It is the first front anchor point on the right side.

Mine,not a Ramlin just has lag bolts, not the best but so far so good. My trailer builder is so innovative that the bolts,as long as their smiling,must mean that their tight
You might have to remove some carpet to see what is going on under it. Use stainless or monel staples when you reattach.

Did the metal bracket on the trailer break?

Sometimes the bunks have through bolts. If that is the case, the bolt should still be in the bunk, and you would need a nut to reattach.    Sometimes they are lagged in. If that it the case, then the lag probably just fell out. You might need a bit thicker lag bolt so it gets some bite.

I agree with Donald on some trailers you can run the bunk through table saw for angle. The wishbone Ramlins are like this.

But, on your trailer (the picture on your profile looks like an eagle trailer) I don't think that is necessary. The bunks are just standard boards, often 2X6 pressure treated. They bend into shape pretty quickly once you put the weight of the boat on them. I usually leave the through bolts a bit loose until they have taken shape, and then lock them down.

BKH

I just noticed the front of my right side bunk is loose. Much to my chagrin with a quick look it does not look like a quick fix. Can anyone shed some light on how to reattach the bunk to the trailer? And given that i have to do that how about some insight to bunk carpet replacement! I see this as a project that grows quickly to a replacement!

Any help would be appreciated!

Otto