Square end U bolts

[Capn Jack]

could you not just square off the inside curve to 90 deg angle with a grinder?

Already thought of that the U bolts are passivated with a Zinc outer coating, this will protect them against the Marine environment, taking this off would affect their resistance to corrosion........oh by at least oo say 30 seconds...lol!!

Seriously, I had thought of that one, but it is ridiculous to think that one should pay £3 odd for these things, then modify them to fit because the ends are not made correctly.

I'm going to try one next week and see if it tightens into the shape....it may be the answer.

[betty boop]

take mohamad to the moutain? and grind off the trailer corner instead, -- a tad over kill may be

[jokaboat]

I vote for bunging them on and getting the boat in the water

[JORIDAPILOT]

for that slight rounded corner capn- could you not just square off the inside curve to 90 deg angle with a grinder?

I would be against any work with a grinder, as you weaken the bolt due to loss of section and destroy any galvanising or protection that the bolt may of had. I would rather pack out an oversize bolt if you can't get an exact fit.

[Gazjen]

I'm sure when tight they will form to the trailer section and be fine.

[Ed]

I'm sure when tight they will form to the trailer section and be fine.

I don't think it will be a problem either.

[Capn Jack]

I'm sure when tight they will form to the trailer section

Thats what I thought but if I boated in fresh water I wouldn't care, but I think they will take off the zinc coating and the galvanising and within a year rot the trailer and the bolts.

I maybe wrong but as we know salt water is a real pain.

[Ed]

I had a look at mine, which are not perfect fitting and they seem to be doing ok

[salamis]

I'm for bunging them on and launching the boat too.

[Capn Jack]

What about leaving the old one's on and taking a chance they won't break?

[jokaboat]

Chances are they will be ok, imho e&oe etc.

[Gazjen]

What about leaving the old one's on and taking a chance they won't break?

But if your anything like me you will be worrying about them every time you tow somewhere

What about getting some of the galv paint and treating them to a coat after installation, The ones in your photo just look like they are cadmium plated which won't last 5 minutes anyway

[Capn Jack]

You're right Gaz and whilst the weather is still playing up I only need a couple of days to work on it. I've found some at a place called Extreme Trailers I think they're called but the sizes are a little iffy. I'm going to call the chap Salamis recommended today is will see what he suggests.
You know stainless steel would be the answer or galvanised but reading about the tensile strength of stainless I'm not sure they would hold.
Again Gaz you are right the bolts I bought to test sizes have a zinc passivation coat which is rubbish really so I doubt will last 5 mins either.
Off the trailer it will be so easy to work. I've just come off my winter roster of 4 on 4 off and am on 5 on 3 off so will have 3 days from Sunday to finalise things. So the pressure is on. As I said, if I can find the right bolts it'll be a piece of p**s to wipp off the old ones and put on the new ones.

[Capn Jack]

I took the opportunity to offer the 2 bolts to the box sections yesterday. You can see the gap and where the radius stops the square end from hugging the section.

Now maybe this is how they are when new and tightening will pull them together, but my thoughts are that all it will do is scrape off the galvanising at the corners and scrape off the zinc coating which will allow the trailer and bolts to corrode in no time.

[markanddawn]

I would fill the gap with epoxy resin sorry couldn't resist. I will give up now. Anyway, this is technical and I have no place commenting here