Prep Trailer for Saltwater

[acc]

'Moving to Destin and bringing my aluminum bass boat with a steel trailer....In good condition...for now... I'm concerned about the trailer rusting in the saltwater environment....<br /><br />What is a suggested protective stuff that I can spray on the trailer to inhibit rusting.... I'm thinking something like silicon spray.....Anything better????

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

Trade it while its in good shape for a galvanized<br />trailer. <br />You could get away with rinsing it after<br />you load, or launch.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

Moving to Trailer Questions.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

what about that "galvinize" in a can...<br /><br />www.championtrailers.com they have anything trailer<br /><br />m ikey

 

[Solittle]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

Galvanized or alumnium are the way to go. You can slow down rust on an iron trailer but you can't stop it. Been dunkin trailers in salt water for nearly 35 yrs.<br /><br />I coat all iron parts with Penatrol & let set for a couple of days - then Rustoleum paint. Wash down afer every trip & paln on going over the trailer every couple of years. You will start replacing parts around 5 years IF and a BIG IF you give it good care - much sooner than 5 if you don't.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

You might want to think about a freshwater brake flush kit. This mounts to a standard garden hose and rinses your brakes of salt water.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

You might want to think about a freshwater brake flush kit. This mounts to a standard garden hose and rinses your brakes of salt water.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

You might want to think about a freshwater brake flush kit. This mounts to a standard garden hose and rinses your brakes of salt water.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

PAkev - acc did not mention having brakes. <br /><br />Anyway I have gone the freshwater brake flush kit route with drum surge brakes on a tandem axle trailer that routinely got dunked in salt water. The set-up was next to useless. My brakes either did not work at all or required a complete overhaul due to the rust. About 5 yrs ago I switched to disk brakes and haven't had a problem since.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Prep Trailer for Saltwater

ACC, If you plan to keep your trailer and use it in salt water, you need to paint it with some stuff to protect against corrosion. I do not think the spray galvanize will be adequate to protect it for more than a couple of weeks. The brush version may be better, I have not tried it, since all my trailers are galvanized. I did use Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer on an old steel trailer. The coating lasted many years and the trailer was in poor shape when I applied it. Use a brush for whatever coating you decide on. Watch the springs, since they really take a beating, and are succeptable to rust. Replacement parts are available from trailer dealers. I have found that you need to match up any parts you need, since they did not keep parts lists for the various models.