Galvanized Trailers

JEBar

JEBar

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
462
over the years I've owned some really nice looking boat trailers .... the ones that were painted to match the boat really were attention getters .... unfortunately, I've never owned a painted trailer that didn't (usually sooner rather than later) end up with rust issues .... this has been specially true of ones used to launch boats in salt water .... the metal under the carpeted steps seemed to be areas where rust would quickly form .... they sure aren't pretty but the lack of rust related issues we've had with our last two aluminum/galvanized boat trailers has convinced me that I don't want a boat trailer that isn't designed to combat rust

Jim
 
Alwhite00

Alwhite00

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Messages
885
Re: Galvanized Trailers

I like my galvanized trailer but all of the bolts are rusty - They should use stainless.

LK
 
Boats-A-lots

Boats-A-lots

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
366
Re: Galvanized Trailers

Galvanized (though not flashy at all) are the best way to go. I also have galvanized wheels. I mainly launch in salt water.
 
oldjeep

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: Galvanized Trailers

bruceb58 said:
Generally not as strong as regular steel bolt and that is why they are not used.
Click to expand...

Not to mention galvanic corrosion from putting Stainless in contact with galvanized metal in a wet environment.
 
Alwhite00

Alwhite00

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Messages
885
Re: Galvanized Trailers

Ok, Ok - No stainless bolts - Well they need something better than whatever it is that they are using.

LK
 
catfishcarl99

catfishcarl99

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
723
Re: Galvanized Trailers

I have a 1989 escort under my boat. Galvinized. Freshwater only but theres not a spot of rust. Also gal wheels. Buddie bearings. Best trailer ive ever owned. Only surface rust color is on the hitch and winch. This trailer may well be used 10,000 years from now as a museum piece.

:D
 
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minuteman62-64

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
1,350
Re: Galvanized Trailers

Seems to me that if you really wanted to go the extra mile (style-wise, that is) you could have your galvanized trailer painted to match your boat (yes, they make paints designed to cover galvanized metal; no, I don't have any idea how these paints stand up in the marine environment).

On the stainless fastener issue: all of the newer galvanized trailers I see at the San Diego and Mission bay launch ramps have stainless fasteners. I'm in the process of converting my 1982 vintage trailer to all SS fasteners. No noticable corrosion issue where the SS contacts the galvanized members.

Somewhere I've read that SS fasteners are the equivalent of Grade 5 fasteners.
 
M

minuteman62-64

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
1,350
Re: Galvanized Trailers

In my local hardware store this a.m. I see where I read it - the sign in the fasterner section that indicates SS bolts are "approximately the equivalent of Grade 5." Based on comments above and some internet research - that's misleading. Correct w/regard to some characteristics, but not the characteristics that count when bolting two pieces of metal together and wanting them to stay together. W/regard to fastening, SS looks to be a little above Grade 2.
 
Thalasso

Thalasso

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
2,879
Re: Galvanized Trailers

minuteman62-64 said:
Seems to me that if you really wanted to go the extra mile (style-wise, that is) you could have your galvanized trailer painted to match your boat (yes, they make paints designed to cover galvanized metal; no, I don't have any idea how these paints stand up in the marine environment).

On the stainless fastener issue: all of the newer galvanized trailers I see at the San Diego and Mission bay launch ramps have stainless fasteners. I'm in the process of converting my 1982 vintage trailer to all SS fasteners. No noticable corrosion issue where the SS contacts the galvanized members.

Somewhere I've read that SS fasteners are the equivalent of Grade 5 fasteners.
Click to expand...

There is probably a poly type of gasket that separates the contact between the two metals.
My trailer is aluminum with galvanized cross members with a poly type gasket that is between the two surfaces.
Fasteners should be galvanized or have a zinc coating. There is a galvanic problem with dissimilar metals. ( stainless and reg steel)
 
Neted

Neted

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
40
Re: Galvanized Trailers

my trailer is Alum/Galv/SS bolts no signs of rust or corrosion. Trailer is about 4 years old. It looks like they used larger bolts, maybe to compensate for the weakness? My trailer is rated for 12500 lbs.
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Galvanized Trailers

Bubba1235 said:
When it comes to fasteners good old Rustoleum makes a galvanizing paint that works well. I think they claim it is 70% zinc.
Click to expand...

Rustoleum Cold Galvanizing Compound is one heavy spray can!
The 16 oz spray can weighs 20 ozs.

I have a piece of re-bar with one end bare and the other end Cold Galvanized.
It has been setting out in the weather on a piece of wet wood for almost a year.
The bare end is very rusted, the painted end is still pristine.

Good Stuff! :D
 
M

minuteman62-64

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
1,350
Re: Galvanized Trailers

UncleWillie said:
Rustoleum Cold Galvanizing Compound is one heavy spray can!
The 16 oz spray can weighs 20 ozs.

I have a piece of re-bar with one end bare and the other end Cold Galvanized.
It has been setting out in the weather on a piece of wet wood for almost a year.
The bare end is very rusted, the painted end is still pristine.

Good Stuff! :D
Click to expand...

Second on the cold galvanizing compound. Its what the dealers (at least around here) use when they modify a galvanized trailer. Back in the early 90's I forged a fence bracket out of mild steel. Cleaned it up, etched the surface and applied cold galvanizing (can't remember if it was Rustoleum or other brand). Went by the site a couple of months ago - its been sitting out in the weather all this time and still no rust.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,384
Re: Galvanized Trailers

Stainless steel is a generic term for a low carbon steel that is alloyed with chromium and nickel. There are over 100 different alloys of “stainless” steel of which five or so are used in the production of commercial hardware, only one of which is suitable for use in a marine environment.

Unless you know the composition of the bolt and the properties of the materials in contact with the bolt, it’s best left up to the pros to determine if a hardware substation is in your best interest or not. I can guarantee you that anything you get from a hardware or big box store is not suitable for use in a marine environment or for use on a boat trailer.

Painting a galvanized trailer negates the protection the zinc brings to the underlying steel. The zinc and the oxygen in the air combine to form zinc oxide on the surface. It’s this chemical compound that protects the base metal from rusting. You remover the source of oxygen, you remove the protection. It’s as easy as that.

The cold zinc paints works but the surface needs to be replenished from time to time for maximum affect. At issue is that the zinc paint tends to be very short lived due to the fact that the surface is extremely rough which leaves a lot more surface area exposed causing accelerated erosion of the zinc when compared to a hot dipped, alloyed coating put on at the factory.
 
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