Bought a new boat and trailer, The trailers axle is horribly rusty.

[hobie16legend]

I picked up the boat at dusk, so I didn't really notice just how bad the rust hole was, but I figured something must've been up because I noticed on the drive home the wheel was bouncing around abnormally. Today, when I inspected the trailer more thoroughly, I noticed a massive rust hole right where the U-bolts connect the axle to the leaf springs. The axle is surely miles away from splitting. I've been trying to find a way to replace this thing without breaking the bank... I have the tools to change out the axle, but I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for sourcing the parts cheaply. I'm located in South Florida, if that helps.

I was wondering if it would be less of a pain just to go ahead and replace the entire suspension and wheel hub assembly while I'm at it. I figured it would be less complicated to unscrew the suspension from the trailer and just throw in a new suspension. The springs on there now do have a little bit more life in them, but they are also pretty caked in rust. I figured I might be able to find a fully assembled, ready-to-drop-in axle and suspension setup that I just screw in. Any advice or help would be appreciated. Also, how long might a job like this take (mind you, all of the bolts holding the suspension, axle, etc.. are caked in rust)

Forgot to mention, but the boat is a Hobie 16 and the axle is around 7 feet hub to hub.

[Chris Muthig]

Ames trailer was always my go-to, I've spent a lot of money there.  Good prices, knowledgeable people.  Very close to Bass Pro Shops, too, so the money you save on the axle can go towards lots of fishing lures.
Ames Trailer
2251 Stirling Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 966-4533
Tiny place, but they always had what I wanted.  If you take the axle with you, they'll do the hard part.  I've done 3 axles with them, one for my 17' Hydraskiff (upsized the axle), my 17' Siren (upsized the axle), and one of the axles on my 29' Sailfish walkaround.  (That one hurt), and had to be special ordered.

[Charles Brennan]

hobie16legend, In addition to the advice given by my son, Chris, for Ames trailers (Chris grew up, watching me get trailer stuff from Ames) there are also other trailer manufacturers and dealers in your area.  You didn't say exactly where in south Florida, you were, but here are some sources and ideas:

Manufacturers:
Rocket Trailers
2890 NW 35th St, Miami, FL 33142
305.638.9222

Was going to add Arrow Trailers, but it seems they've gone out of business.

Dealers:
Horizon Trailers dealer
19681 SW 69 Pl Fort Lauderdale 33332
954.282.8127

Continental Trailers dealer
Bob Hewes Boats
12565 Northwest 7th Avenue, North Miami, FL 33168

Another source for trailer axles, is Northern Tool
3303 NW 167th St. Miami Gardens, FL 33056
305.621.5401

Or in Cutler Ridge:
18100 S. Dixie Hwy. Cutler Ridge, FL 33157
305.251.9261

Trailer leaf spring assemblies come with a bolt with a rounded head on bottom and a nut on top to hold the leaves together.
Trailer axle manufacturers deal with that bolt on the bottom, in one of two ways:
A) The Cheap way: They simply drill a hole in the top of the axle for the bolt head to rest in, so the leaf spring assembly sits flush on the axle.  That's the type you currently have.
B) The Good way: They weld a square piece of metal onto the axle, with a hole in the middle, to hold the bolt head.
This method keeps the square tube of the axle water tight, the other method invites water intrusion and rust and eventual failure, such as you've already observed.  Obviously, keep an eye out for that, as you shop for a  replacement axle.

Your statement:

the axle is around 7 feet hub to hub.

Is a good start, but not nearly enough info.
The leaf spring mount spacing is also a critical measurement, because of those holes, or welded-on spacers.
Look for specs that say something along the lines of: "84 inch length, 73 inch spring center."
If it was me, I'd bring the old axle with me, wherever I went axle shopping.

Your other statement:

I was wondering if it would be less of a pain just to go ahead and replace the entire suspension and wheel hub assembly while I'm at it.

Is a fine aspiration, but comes with eye-watering costs.    If the hubs and bearings and whatnot are all in good shape, you're better off keeping them.

Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan

[hobie16legend]

Thanks for the advice and locations. I actually bought the boat in the Keys and was leaving it at my buddy's place while I got it registered with the DMV.

I ended up finding a local shop here in the Keys and bought the axle, hubs, and mounting hardware for $400. A bit more than I was hoping to pay, but I was in a pinch as I need to get this boat out of here ASAP. Getting the old axle off was actually quite easy. I just took an angle grinder to the old boats, and it dropped off.

Anyway, now that I have this thread open, I was wondering if you guys knew of anyone or have a Hobie 16. The boat I bought did not come with a boom, so I was hoping to find someone local with a spare boom I could buy.

Thanks again!