Dock broke - question about aluminum trusses or other aluminum DIY solutions

camp guy · 10-25-2015, 09:03 PM

While I applaud and appreciate your interest in doing this yourself, with some help, I think I would make the comment that this is one of those jobs where if everything goes alright, thing are good, but, if something goes wrong if could go horribly wrong with very unhappy results. I am going to "spend your money" and at least suggest having one of the local dock businesses give you a quote.

Best of Luck, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Outdoorsman · 10-26-2015, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

Best of Luck, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am already seeing Christmas stuff in the stores!

Merry Christmas

Dave M · 10-29-2015, 12:42 PM

I'll push "camp guy" further. At some point you'll need to repair the wooden section. I had a 35' wooden dock with five 7'X4' sections. It got to a point where I was constantly fixing the dock the last few years. I finally bit the bullet after 40 yrs. of putting in/taking out and got a lift dock. All I do now is remove planks, add chains and press a button. My back says thank-you every time I do this.
My suggestion is to look at lift docks and compare against what your going to be doing. Yes, it will cost more but you won't have to worry about anything concerning the dock.

I bought my from Raise-A-Dock, Wakefield, NH. after checking others. They use round galvanized poles for support post. I also used them on my old dock. The advantage is you can level the dock without getting in the water. I have a mini come-as-long that connects to top of pole to the frame of the dock.They have many options and other forum members can attest to the docks he makes.

Dave M

Redwing · 10-29-2015, 07:57 PM

We bought our Raise a Dock in 2009 -- and never looked back. The owner, Dennis, is a great guy and always helpful. Yes, it was costly, but worth every Penny.

TiltonBB · 11-02-2015, 07:44 AM

You should be able to get a 40 X 4 aluminum frame built for about $7,000. There are at least two aluminum fabricators in the Gilford area who will custom build the frame to meet your needs. They will look at your situation and how your dock will attach and pivot for raising and build just what you need.

I am on open water with considerable wave action so I opted for a heavy frame and 4 X 6 posts. I prefer them to the pipe docks. I have put in two aluminum docks over the last 10 years so my pricing is not real recent.

If you are handy at all you can build the decking yourself.

10-25-2015, 09:03 PM	#1
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Repair aluminum While I applaud and appreciate your interest in doing this yourself, with some help, I think I would make the comment that this is one of those jobs where if everything goes alright, thing are good, but, if something goes wrong if could go horribly wrong with very unhappy results. I am going to "spend your money" and at least suggest having one of the local dock businesses give you a quote. Best of Luck, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

10-29-2015, 12:42 PM	#3
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	option I'll push "camp guy" further. At some point you'll need to repair the wooden section. I had a 35' wooden dock with five 7'X4' sections. It got to a point where I was constantly fixing the dock the last few years. I finally bit the bullet after 40 yrs. of putting in/taking out and got a lift dock. All I do now is remove planks, add chains and press a button. My back says thank-you every time I do this. My suggestion is to look at lift docks and compare against what your going to be doing. Yes, it will cost more but you won't have to worry about anything concerning the dock. I bought my from Raise-A-Dock, Wakefield, NH. after checking others. They use round galvanized poles for support post. I also used them on my old dock. The advantage is you can level the dock without getting in the water. I have a mini come-as-long that connects to top of pole to the frame of the dock.They have many options and other forum members can attest to the docks he makes. Dave M

10-29-2015, 07:57 PM	#4
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	Raise a dock We bought our Raise a Dock in 2009 -- and never looked back. The owner, Dennis, is a great guy and always helpful. Yes, it was costly, but worth every Penny.

11-02-2015, 07:44 AM	#5
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,161 Thanks: 750 Thanked 2,277 Times in 986 Posts	Aluminum docks You should be able to get a 40 X 4 aluminum frame built for about $7,000. There are at least two aluminum fabricators in the Gilford area who will custom build the frame to meet your needs. They will look at your situation and how your dock will attach and pivot for raising and build just what you need. I am on open water with considerable wave action so I opted for a heavy frame and 4 X 6 posts. I prefer them to the pipe docks. I have put in two aluminum docks over the last 10 years so my pricing is not real recent. If you are handy at all you can build the decking yourself.

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Redwing (10-29-2015)