stop trailer rust idea

[donaldm]

have a tube type trailer which we use to launch a the ocean. i'm concerned about rust inside the tubing which cant be seen until there's damage. Its my understanding that steel will not rust if there is no oxygen. so i'm thinking if i weld up all openings in the tubing (which now have drain holes in the bottom of the cross members) then weld in access for a schrader valve stem,next use a vacuum pump (which i have) vacuum the air out and inject dry nitrogen to about 5 psi. into the entire frame, i should never have any rusting on the inside of the tubing . . . thoughts?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

You do realize that it would have to be 100% airtight ........... here in VT we use oil (yes oil) to stop rust on car frames and inside body panels. Bar and chain oil works great...... so does grease. Why not make an access hole and swab the insides of the tubes with marine grease and then plug the access. The grease will not leak out a pinhole but nitrogen will.

 

[beason]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

very interesting idea, and should work in theory. the only issue i see is making sure the inside of the tubes are completely dry.

 

[donaldm]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

i like that idea, do you fill the hole trailer tubing with oil?

 

[donaldm]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

I do ac work so when you draw a vacuum so any water inside will turn to a gas and be pulled out . . so im told.

 

[beason]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

way back when, my uncle showed me a trick to coat wildlife traps so that they dont rust.

he mixed axle grease with diesel fuel to a soupy consistency then dipped the traps in it. then we hung them up and let them dry. the diesel evaporated and left a hardened layer of the grease on the metal. It held up surprisingly well. i know you cant dip the trailer, but you may be able to mop the inside.

 

[Bullrider]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

In my early aircraft manufacturing days I would inject hot linseed oil into the frame of new airframe tubes. I was told it was corrosion reducing.
At Boeing on the aircrafts the entire surface that is subject to the extreme elements get a coat od CIC (corrosion inhibiting compound) that is really juicy and wicks into every nook n cranny so ALL moisture is repelled for decades in dramatic pressure, temperature, and fluid influence.
I wonder if there could be a similar way to soak a boat frame...

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

Fluid Film? | Corrosion Preventative, Lubricant and Rust Inhibitor

Petroleum products will get you in BIG trouble around here.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

you could fill the trailer with foam, then epoxy coat the inside.

however your lights and brake tubing currently run inside the frame. you will need to pull this to the outside.

or you can do like I do with my tube trailer. flush the inside of the tubes out with water when your done. yes, the trailer will still rust, however at a much slower rate.

Then save up money for an aluminum trailer and buy one in a few years

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

the problem with your theory is two fold... first you don't need to remove moisture or air... the limited o2 in there will only cause a small amount of rust and once the o2 is depleted there will be no more rust..... the DOWN side is though that the trailer will float which makes it a real bear to use for launching n retrieving a boat

 

[I`mNotMe]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

.

Within my dry land woods and harsh winters, our vehicles take a rust beating. To help eliminate rusting within tube frames, we simply full their open cavity is stray foam. Yes, spray foam - close cell (which takes water abuse). We then get its open surfaces coated with rust resist tacky paste. Some use Crown and some use 3rd party. I use 3rd party. This has worked great for my many vehicles. I haven't tried on my boat trailer (that only does fresh water dippings). But, it does sound possible as well...

 

[Bondo]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

Ayuh,.... You guys Gotta look into Fluid Film,....

This stuff is Amazin',...

I discovered it a couple years ago, it continues to Amaze me,......


btw,... I've no interest in it, other than a satisfied user,...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

filling w foam would cause it to float also

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

if you guys thing that filling the trailer with foam would allow it to float, you need to sharpent your calculators. there is not enough volume of floatation to offset the weight of the steel.

FWIW, your axles on tube trailers (at least from shorelandr) are already filled with foam.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

foam or air in the frame PLUS foam or air in axles PLUS air in the tires = too much flotation... even if it doesn't rise to the surface it will be easily pushed around by currents or being nudged by the boat

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

PLUS any wood bunks would also tend to float.... spare tire.... etc

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

1 cubic foot of foam will displace about 60 pounds of water. Let's sat a 1000 pound trailer will use 2 cubic feet of foam in the frame----plus, during launching most of the frame is above water anyway--you do the math. The only trailer I ever saw floating was one that was still strapped to the boat during a huirricane.

 

[beason]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

ive seen triple axle aluminum I beam trailers float. steel, no so much.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

You can weld the frame shut and put in a threaded bung and plug, then fill the frame with vegetable oil.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: stop trailer rust idea

funny.... we've had more than one thread right here on iboats about floating steel trailers

I had a friend with a home made steel tube trailer that floated till I drilled half a dozen holes in it..... Seems really odd that it isn't possible

btw 2 cubic feet of foam won't fill much of a trailer..... 12 feet of 3x4" frame rail ..... figuring a 16' trailer with 2 12' beams, a 6' tongue and 3 4' cross members would have 42' of tubing sooooo roughly 420 lbs of flotation...... now add buoyancy from tires, axle tubes, and bunks and you have a substantial number... figure also that the trailer I just describes wouldn't way even 500 lbs and suddenly my theory starts to 'float' to the top

the problem with filling with ANY oil besides the environmental nightmare that even veggy oil would be on the water surface is that you would be adding weight that you would have to tow around.

IF sealed steel tube trailers were a good idea they would be sold as premium, long lasting, or heavy duty, ... fact is it's a bad idea at best.