Well -- since FR says this area seems to need some posts -- here is mine -- last Thursday I took the day off from work to work on trailer == SALT WATER --trailer is galvanized tandem axle bunk trailer from Continental -- made locally here in Florida -- pretty standard around here --- had ordered parts, new front axle -- new springs -- new shackle bolts and new shackle end links -- the only really hard part is removing rusted shackle bolts -- after several different attempts the answer was new large sawzall, cut through the bolts quick enough -- but hardened shackle bolts mean you use blades -- mine took one blade per about two bolts -- so about six blades total --
the rest of the work was pretty routine -- the boat was on the trailer at the time - and it was all supported by jackstands -- so all wheels were off the ground -- it took a total of about six hours working alone --

it went well enough that I had to get out on the water on the Palm Beach inlet on Friday -- which I had also set aside for the trailer -- nice sunny day -- snorkeled -- had a few corona's -relaxed -etc -- it was quiet as I launched alone --the rest of the family was working --

No pictures -- who wants to look at old trailer parts -- but if anyone wants any further explanations -- give a shout --

I've never sawed bolts that size off before. I've used a propane torch, and a 6' long breaker bar. The nuts either come loose or the bolts break. I've also used an air chisel, but only for like ONE bad bolt, not sure I'd want to put up with that for a dozen bolts!

Boat trailers are funny things. In all my years of boating, I've had more trouble with the trailers than the boats that rode on them...

I have several air chisels -- they did not work as well as the sawzall --- sawing was super quick -- maybe 30 seconds to a minute per bolt and a $3.00 per blade and six blades it still didn't cost that much ---

I have had my share of trailer issues having seriously trailered everywhere from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and from massachusetts to Texas -- but SALT is the worse ---

as is boating in salt -- one of my sayings is one year in salt water is like five years in fresh water --

Any excuse to buy a new tool, eh Dale?

Actually my son's decorative glass company bought it -

well even that is not entirely true, since the company is an S corp and son/his wife, myself/my wife, each own 25% of it. But the company bought it --

and they get it when I am finished --