Replacing wood trailer steps

[AirTool]

I wonder if you could match the paint and roller on some grit.

On offshore platforms and skidded equipment, we grit paint the checker plate and it works great. Your only trouble would be matching the color....maybe you could contrast w/black or a different blue....safety yellow if you want to get some attention.

AirTool

[jhiestand]

Well, finally got the pieces covered and back on the boat. Instead of Herculiner I went with Duplicolor bed liner. It cost about half as much as the Herculiner plus came in smaller containers (and aerosol). A quart can was just enough to cover the top and sides of the four pieces and instead of buying more brush-on, I used a can of the spray on. Just enough to get a good coat on the bottoms.

I haven't had a chance to try them out, but I do have a couple of concerns. Without the carpet there's a slight chance the wood on metal may be a little noisy when trailering. I'll keep an eye on that and if it's too much I'll make some bushings out of innertube or something. I'm also hesitant on how well the Duplicolor bedliner will stay on the wood. Unlike the Herculiner, it said nothing about adhering to wood. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I opted not to replace the wood in-between the front and back steps. Looking at other trailers. I'm suspect RamLin had wood there to protect from the trailer tires, but it looks like most other trailer manufacturers don't have the extra protection there. I've also found it's much easier wiping the boat bottom up under the wheel wells without the extra wood, there.

Next is to replace the carpet and wood inside the wheel wells then new bunk carpet. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[Hollywood]

I hope you don't regularly store your drysuit in the garage. Gas fumes will deteriorate the seals.

The steps look nice.

[jhiestand]

I hope you don't regularly store your drysuit in the garage. Gas fumes will deteriorate the seals.

Hmm.. actually yes, for a short time in spring and a while in fall we hang the dry suits up in the garage to drip dry and it keeps them convenient with the rest of our gear. Usually I store them in the house during drysuit "off" season although I don't think I got around to that this summer. Maybe I need to rethink that.

Thanks.

[jhiestand]

I still have a few rust spots on the frame rails to touch up, but I replace the carpet inside the fenders and recarpeted the bunks. Bunk wood is still holding up (thank goodness) but in another few years I may have to go the major overhaul route. The bed liner on the steps isn't nearly as textured as I envisioned, but it looks pretty good.

Very nearly finished project.

[TravisFling]

Hey look! That looks like the Fishinger bridge/overpass at the Griggs Resevoir put-in!!! Nice looking trailer, buddy!

I still need to get out there and ride around, check it out. How's the water level?

[jhiestand]

You are correct, sir!! Water level at the ramps is starting to get a little dicey, but should be okay in the main body of water. They have warning posts up about the water level, but if we're able to get out this week I'll likely get out and walk the ramp to make sure we'll have clearance.

[slob02]

How is the water level at Choctaw? We are still pretty good at Shawnee Lake in Jamestown. Looks like another good weekend.