Hobie 14 - Trailer Restoration

Having fun here this morning, stripping down the trailer to the frame. I am keen to adopt an "expedition mindset" with my Hobie 14, so thst I end up with a solid battle-hardened outfit (trailer included). I need to be thorough in my preparations.

So, the trailer frame only,the mudguards attached (welded in place). The guards were severely bent when the axle came adrift, and did a bellyflop on the road. I beat them back into shape using opposing hammers. Also bent were the trailer outriggers - long crossmembers that house the hull rollers and v cradles forward. I chained the frame to a sturdy tree and used a sledgehammer to square these off.

Another component still attached is the tow hitch. This has to be replaced and the retaining bolts will need to be ground off with a cutting disk. 

Sunday, March 17, 2019:
The tow hitch is replaced, alarmingly one of the bolts is already broken. The new fitting is fastened with new galvanised bolts. 
I give thr trailer a quick sand with a disk on my anglegrinder and note that "rust scale" is actually caked on red dust. This trailer has lived! I begin painting, but within moments the rain resumes.