'02 PS 197 Trailer Rebuild

[sk8salomon]

I've started the process of rebuilding my trailer for this summer. Thought I'd post up some pics as things progress. Two years ago I bought my '07 PS197 and found a cheap '02 190/197 trailer for $2k. It was rough but everything is in working order. My plan is to basically bring everything back to life.

I found a '96 PS205 trailer on craigslist for $600. It has a bent axle but the frame is in good shape. My plan is to use this trailer for a few months while I work on my 197 trailer. I removed the fenders and guide posts and my boat loaded on pretty good.

[sk8salomon]

I pulled off the carpeted front wedge stops, the ratchet strap and the boat buddy.
Next I'm going to pull the fenders off. I had to remove the rubber step pads to access the phillips screws that hold the fenders on.

[Ski-me]

I don't know how far you are going but I sandblasted my 94' trailer and then had it powdercoated for around $650. It sure gave mine a breath of new life!

Are you going to do some painting?

[Sodar]

Looks like a great project!

I am sure will you be replacing those pads, once you get the fenders polished up. If I may say so, the OEM material used sucks. It cracks, tracks black stuff all over and every time you wash it, an enormous amount of black "crud" comes off.

If I may, I recommend making a template of the pads and send them to SeaDek. I am in the process of doing the same thing for my Tandem trailer, because I was so un-happy with the OEM pads. Check it out: www.seadek.com

[sk8salomon]

Originally Posted by Ski-me

I don't know how far you are going but I sandblasted my 94' trailer and then had it powdercoated for around $650. It sure gave mine a breath of new life!

Are you going to do some painting?

Glad you asked. The company I work for does powdercoating but i don't think the trailer will fit in the oven. Maybe if I fold the tongue back and hang it sideways on the rack, it just might go. I'll measure the oven tomorrow. What type of powder did you use? We usually spray super durable, not the standard polyester. My ski buddy is pretty good with a liquid gun too so I might go that route. We will see.

Originally Posted by Sodar

Looks like a great project!

I am sure you will be replacing those pads, once you get the fenders polished up. If I may say so, the OEM material used sucks. It cracks, tracks black stuff all over and every time you wash it, an enormous amount of black "crud" comes off.

If I may, I recommend making a template of the pads and send them to SeaDek. I am in the process of doing the same thing for my Tandem trailer, because I was so un-happy with the OEM pads. Check it out: www.seadek.com

Thanks man, I was just thinking this afternoon how crappy those pads flake off and split apart. I'll check out the seadek site. I did save the old ones in case i need to make a template later. I'll let you know.

[sk8salomon]

My daughter was "sick" this morning and didn't want to go to school so I played hookie from work. It was awesome outside so I tore into the trailer.

I removed both fenders with a phillips bit in my drill and a 7/16" box wrench to hold the nylon nut underneath. Worked easy. I then removed the side lights from the fenders. You don't have to remove the guide posts to get the fenders off for this trailer. The 205 trailer on the other hand wouldn't let you lift the fenders off without removing the guide posts.

[sk8salomon]

Next came the guide posts. Since I bought the trailer, one of the guide posts was always loose. I tried tightening the bolts multiple times but it never helped. Once I removed the fenders I realized what had happened. My old '89 PS 190 had guilde posts that loaded into a sleeve, then had threaded nuts welded to the sleeve so you could tighten the bolts and the guide rails would be tight. This 197 trailer is different because the guide posts slide into two u-bolts and then tighten up against the metal fender support. The guide post had wiggled out of the bottom u-bolt so that was why I kept tightening and nothing would help. You would never know unless you pulled the fender off.

Some of the u-bolts snapped off. They were pretty rusty anyways so i'll replace them later with stainless ones.

[sk8salomon]

Next I decided to pull the bunks off. I got a socket and ratchet and thought...this will be easy!!! Of course not! The carriage bolt head basically spins around when you try to loosen the nuts. I had to cut each one off with an angle cutting wheel. The wood is still good so i'm planning on keeping that. Having the holes already drilled will help!

[sk8salomon]

It is looking puny!

[sk8salomon]

Last thing for today were the pin striping and decals. I 1st removed the reflectors and rear tri-light by drilling out the alumium rivets with a #10 drill bit (.187).