Aluminum Fender warning

B

BRAZO

New member
We have driven the boat/trailer about 10,000 miles over the last three years with trips to Trent/Severn, Erie Canal, North Channel, Rideau Canal, etc.

On the way back from the Rideau Canal this year we noticed that one of the aluminum fenders on our LoadRite trailer looked like it was coming loose. The fender had broken free around the two front bolts and was just being held on by the rear two bolts. We then checked the other fenders and noticed that they all had small fractures where the fender bolts to the trailer.

Looks like the road vibration creates stress fractures in the aluminum and slowly they break off.

I'll plan on replacing the other fenders with galvanized steel - I guess.

Just an FYI - check around your bolts if you have aluminum fenders.
 
We have a Float On aluminum Trailer with stainless steel hardware. I was disapointed with them as the struts cracked and broke that suppported the fenders, cracks developed on the fenders etc. We had an issue with some of the U-bolts breaking that supported the bunks. I changed out any of the 3/8 shanked u-bolts to 1/2 inch and have had no more issues there forr the time being. Some of the issues with the aluminum fenders were a direct result of the tupperware bias ply special type tires they felt were good enough. Even though I paid special attention to balancing those tires, they caused things to shake around causing vibration cracks. I switched to radial tires, beefed up the struts and added some 3/8 rod around the edges of the fenders where they cracked. Things seem better now. I am heading out west 2200 miles or more each way so we will see how my mods will hold up. Pictures are in my album under trailer modifications. Since I primary use the boat in salt water steel fenders are not on my list of solutions. It seems to me most of the trailer manufacturers don't really build trailers for serious trailer boaters. I mean the tires are terrible, the thickness of the material must have been picked out by the bean counters. I like our trailer but the tires and fenders really lacked in quality for our purpose. I'm sure for some folks with a 1/2 mile trip to the boat ramp and back they are fine. But for the serious road warrior they are a bitter disapointment. :amgry
D.D.
 
After a little research, I found that LoadRite Trailers have had a problem with their fenders coming loose on our model of trailer.

So, I e-mailed LoadRite and they are sending out 4 new aluminum fenders along with updated hardware to install the fenders correctly.

Great customer service.
 
squeeky wheel gets the grease, Our 4 inch memory foam is due here tomorrow,We are going to attempt to cut down the existing foam to two inches and then stuff both the two inch and the new four inch memory into the original covers. All the original covers had zippers except the center one which has the plywood back. Glad to hear Loadrite came through for you.
D.D.
 
Will-C":es57rryr said:
Our 4 inch memory foam is due here tomorrow,We are going to attempt to cut down the existing foam to two inches and then stuff both the two inch and the new four inch memory into the original covers. Glad to hear Loadrite came through for you.
D.D.
Click to expand...

We love the 4 inch on top of the 2 inch original foam. We just got back from spending 4 weeks on the boat and the cushions were nice and comfortable. I would suggest using a "meat/turkey" knife to cut the original foam in half. Works great. The overall "thickness" of the cushions will be a bit more.

Thankfully there is the internet and Google searching - I just figured the fenders had enough after 10,000 miles on the road. I wasn't pleased, but I didn't think I'd get LoadRite to do anything about it. Thankfully I checked.
 
Will-C":1rjgpuvi said:
Did you have to modify the covers at all? Or did you manage to squish everything in the original covers?
D.D.
Click to expand...

Nope, no modifications to the covers. The 4" memory foam that we had easily squished in. We tried just the 4" memory foam, but my hip would sink to the bottom (I'm 6' 175lbs). The cushions bulge out just a bit, but it works.
 
Another stress to fenders is using them as a step in and out. When I work on the boat I climb in and out countless times a day. To help the fenders stress points, I wedge a wood block between the tire and fender for more ridged support. Wedge it in from the front side. If you forget to remove it and drive off it simply falls forward and out.
 
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