Galvanized trailer in salt water

[PAkev]

I am in the process of putting a boat/trailer package together with a dealer. Boat will be mostly used in freshwater but occasionally in salt water. I know there are altenatives such as an alluminum trailer but I am working within a budget. Anyhow, the dealer indicates the trailer will indeed meet my prevailing demands as long as I hose it down at the end of the day. I guess I would also launch the boat at a fresh water lake to get the salt water off motor and hull which would also rinse down the trailer during launching.<br />Boat is a 19ft polar deep V which I estimate to weigh around 2500 lbs with fuel and equipment. Since I will often be trailering the boat under interstate highway conditions, I am also upgrading to a tandem axle load rite trailer.<br /><br />My game plan is to take the trailer which the dealer is packaging with the boat while I save my sheckles for a new chariot if it should need replacement a few years down the road. <br /><br />Any other helpful advice or suggestions greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[lepper]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

I have a galvanized trailer and back it into the salt atleast 2x a week. Washing EVERYTHING down is a must in the salt. Adding a little extra greese to the hubs after the salt ain't a bad idea either.<br /><br />AS for the boat.. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS rinse your motor out with fresh water as soon as you can after pulling it from the salt. It is the cheapest maintenace you can do after taking it form the salt.. <br /><br />What I do when I pull it out every time.<br /><br />Wash entire boat insdie and out with soap and water. Rinse motor for atleast 5 min or until you know it is rinsed well.<br /><br />Wash anything else.. hose the trailer down... <br /><br />That's pretty much what I do everytime I use it.<br />d

 

[Link]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

PAkev:<br />Very good advice Lepper<br />As another example Kevin I boat about 50/50 in salt and fresh water. Unlike Lepper I wasn't always so carefull with rinseing.(yes comming in late at night most of the time didn't help) After thirteen years I had to replace a couple bolts and the tow chains etc. But it is still in great shape. And I might add I now do exactly as lepper.<br /><br />Have fun with the new toy<br />Link

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

I would add if it is an option to go with disk brakes instead of drum. The disk are just easier to rinse off after a salt bath.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

Thanks guys,<br /><br />I do plan to hose things down when pulling everything out of the salt water. However this will often be on vacation when a hose and fresh water washdown is not always available. Perhaps I should keep my eyes peeled for a car wash around the areas I will be launching.<br /> <br />BTW can the galvanized trailers be painted when things start looking a little shabby?<br /><br />I was also thinking of spraying a rubberized undercoating (the kind you buy in an automotive supply store) into the tubing and around all the nuts and bolts as soon as I get it in order to keep things from rusting up.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[tlove]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

Only do fresh water now but spent a bunch of years in salt water. One thing I learned about trailers and salt water is the springs are the first to rust. Trick I picked up along the way.<br /><br />Mix 50/50 STP oil treatment and mineral spirits. Use an old paint brush to put the mixture on the springs 2 or 3 times a year. Mineral spirits will evaporate leaving the thick oil to protect the springs from rust.<br /><br />Fresh water by itself does an OK job of rinsing down and is the only option for flushing the motor. If the trailer and boat can't be washed down immediately you should use soap and water to rinse down when you do it. Dried on salt is harder to wash away. Car washes with the spray wands do a great job. Spray wands work great on cleaning the non-skid white decks too.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

By all means follow Storm's advice on disk brakes if you go for brakes. I've spent a small fortune replacing rusted out drum brake parts over the years.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

I too do a complete wash down and flush the engines after every time out (strictly a salt water boat). The problem is that the boat is too big to keep trailering around. I really need a slip or mooring or a smaller boat. <br /><br />Anyway, has anyone tried POR15? I hear great things about it. You paint it on metal and it can never rust again:<br /><br /> http://www.por15.com <br /><br />I just repainted my trailer so I think It's too late for me to try it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

I'm about to go after my galvanized trailer after 10 years of use in salt water. I need to replace springs, shackles, hardware & brake lines. I will soak the new springs & stuff with Penatrol before painting with Rustoleum. I have had good results with this process for the past 30 years of boating in salt water.

 

[werdna]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

have a galvanised trailer with a baron sportsman 18-1/2' which is a '78 model. always been used in salt and rinsed. there is some rust, but that's a product of the old hot dipping process. new ones will last a lot longer and the zinc is usually thicker.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Galvanized trailer in salt water

I don't about PA, but in Fl an aluminum trailer is not that much more than a galvanized trailer.<br /> Most if not all mfgs. offer a stainless steel pkg for all your fasteners and whatnot. There is also a weight savings with the aluminun trailer. I also think that a tandem trailer is really overkill for a 2500# load. One 3,500# single axle trailer with quality tires would be more than adequate and save you a fair amount of money.<br />Another option is the torsion bar axle - at least that eliminates the rusting spring problems. I have heard of galvanized springs but have not heard of how they stand up. I think the best brakes out there now are the Kodiak stainless steel brakes.<br />OK I just realized this post goes back to JULY. What a joke. Never mind.