rusted tube trailer

[ILLaViTaR]

hey guys my crappy square tube trailer has rusted from the inside out (started since last year turns out it wasn't galvanized ) I'll be building a new one myself and was just wondering if I could use pre galvanized square tube and just cold galv the welds instead of paying like $500 to dip the frame. It's much cheaper I could probably get all the tube I need already galvanized for under $100. Would this still be able to withstand salt water for the longterm?

I'm also still using the current trailer, the trailer has a couple small holes in it from the rust, to check the trailer I've jumped in the boat and bounced it up and down, checked it over with a mallet and it seems very sound. The rust is at non structural points but it's coming from inside the trailer last thing I want is for it to give way while I'm towing it, is there any other ways to check/deal with a trailer that's rusted out like this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Cheers

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: rusted tube trailer

Why do you want to build the same problem?
Mike

 

[Bondo]

Re: rusted tube trailer

Why do you want to build the same problem?
Mike

Ayuh,.... Really,.... The tube built trailer is rotten for a reason,...

Build yer new trailer outa C-channel, 'n Paint it,....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: rusted tube trailer

Build yer new trailer outa C-channel, 'n Paint it,....

+++++1

I would never buy/make a tube trailer on purpose. Unfortunately, the trailer on my new to me used pontoon trailer is a tube trailer.

My brother will be buying a new trailer to replace his rusted out tube one for his 26' formula,

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: rusted tube trailer

don't dunk it.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: rusted tube trailer

Just remember when welding galvanized steel it will be giving off toxic fumes.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: rusted tube trailer

Around San Diego I've seen galvanized trailers that have been modified by boat builder/dealers and the welds were coated with the cold galvanizing stuff. I've used it to cover rust spots on the bottom of my trailer frame. Seems to hold up good, even w/salt water use. The key, as in painting, is in prep.

As noted above, don't use tube or pipe, use channel so you don't trap moisture.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: rusted tube trailer

Any trailer going into salt water needs to be made of C channel or I beam.

And such trailers can be difficult to build as a homebuilt. Sometimes you've just got to step up and buy something that's made to do the job--like a factory built trailer.

If you're using it in fresh water, a tube trailer will work fine for many years. And they're often able to be welded if there are any problems. But they've got their life spans. Good luck to you.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: rusted tube trailer

I've got 30 year old tube frame trailers but they all were built with proper drainage a galvanized tubes.
If its not galvanized in and out, it won't last in salt water. I hit all of mine with a pressure washer after every dunk in the saltwater, on those with tubular cross members now have hose connections on them to flush out the salt and dirty water.
I also keep after the hardware that tends to rust first, I either keep it painted or replace it with stainless.

 

[gtochris]

Re: rusted tube trailer

How can you tell if it is Galvanized throughout the inside? Mine is a tube 5 Star Galvanized trailer and I've assumed it was galvanized inside all this time. Probably not?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: rusted tube trailer

My best guess is the trailer frame was dipped in the galvanizing.

 

[slowleak]

Re: rusted tube trailer

I didn't think it was possible for tubing to be galvanized only on the outside?
The two types of galvanizing I've seen have either been hot dipped in zinc, or electrostatic plated in a tank.

From what I've seen, its the painted tube trailers that fail first, since they are usually just spray painted after assembly externally.
I have three older Load Rite tube trailers, all well over 20 years old and other than some rust on the hardware, they look as good as new in and out. When they get dipped in saltwater, I make sure I rinse them well afterward to prevent rust from starting. I also keep any scratches or bare metal touched up with rattle can galvanizing spray.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: rusted tube trailer

What I remember about the galvanizing process, back about 30 years ago, is that the steel is surface cleaned, dipped in a pickling bath (some sort of acid solution) and then dipped in the tank for zinc application.

So, on a trailer with tube section members, constructed of plain steel and then galvanized, the sealed off insides of the tube sections will not get galvanized. Tube sections, straight from the mill, however, would get galvanized on the inside. But, don't forget, when you weld those galvanized members you will be destroying the galvanizing on the inside at the weld as well as on the outside. You can fix the outside, but not the inside.

As noted, use channel - then, if it is already galvanized, you can repair at the welds. Or, use plain steel and after you finish construction take it to have it prepped and galvanized.

Not recommending this, but, when I built my backhoe, of tube sections, I was also concerned about corrosion from the inside. After I finished welding the sections that were sealed, I drilled holes and tapped them for pipe threaded plugs. Poured some waste motor oil in and screwed in the plugs. Don't know if I was wasting my time or not - but, 20 years later no corrosion issues.

 

[chrome dome]

Re: rusted tube trailer

hey guys my crappy square tube trailer has rusted from the inside out (started since last year turns out it wasn't galvanized ) I'll be building a new one myself and was just wondering if I could use pre galvanized square tube and just cold galv the welds instead of paying like $500 to dip the frame. It's much cheaper I could probably get all the tube I need already galvanized for under $100. Would this still be able to withstand salt water for the longterm?

I'm also still using the current trailer, the trailer has a couple small holes in it from the rust, to check the trailer I've jumped in the boat and bounced it up and down, checked it over with a mallet and it seems very sound. The rust is at non structural points but it's coming from inside the trailer last thing I want is for it to give way while I'm towing it, is there any other ways to check/deal with a trailer that's rusted out like this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Cheers

G'day mate,
in 2004 l had a square gal tube trailer built for a 12 ft tinny that spent the summer months down at Venus Bay or on the Hopkins river, as well as in the fresh around Seymour,
l just cold sprayed anything that wasn't gal ( light boxes ) and the welds every six months or so,
still have it now and while it hasn't seen SW for 18 months it still looks ok with out any obvious problems,
got all the tube from one of the big companies in Campbellfield across from the ford factory,

wouldn't bother doing it again.... our finances have changed and we no longer live in Vic... as there wasn't a huge saving to be made cost wise compared to buying one of the rack,
if you're going to run with it, do it as a winter project over a couple of months,