Corrosion of Painted Steel Boat Trailers in Saltwater Use

[dale76]

Hi guys,

Just bought my first boat maxum 1800 mx. I dont have much experience with boats and I need advice about using a boat in salt water.
Trailer is maxum painted steel.
I read that corrosion is big problem on them.
I am planning to use it in salt water at least about 20 times per year.
As I read on net it is not enough just to flushed with water
What is the best way to protect it from corrosion?

thanks

[shrew]

Hi Dale 76, Welcome Aboard!!!

Rinse completely thoroughly with water. If you're really concerned, then spray it down with something like WD-40 or Ballistol. The "WD" in WD-40 is for Water Displacement/Displacing (It happened to be the 40th variation of the formula tested). I prefer Balistol because it is basically the same thing, but environmentally friendly.


Also remember to frequently inspect and grease the wheel bearings on the trailer. Dunking them in water is bad enough. Saltwater is worse. Shooting a hose works water in further and dispaces the grease over time. If you simply inspect and lube the bearings frequently, replacing as necessary, you shouldn't have any issues.

I hope this helps.


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[ss3964spd]

Dale,

There really isn't much you can do to protect a painted steel trailer from salt water. Hose it down after EACH dunking will help, and there's also a product called "Salt-Away" that, from what I've read, helps too. Spraying it with WD40 like Shrew mentions may help but I doubt you'll be able to get it inside the axle tube or the frame rails enough to do any good. Ditto with the Salt-Away. Nevertheless, doing those things will prolong it's life to some degree.

Like Shrew said you have to stay on top of the bearings - here's what happens. When towing once you've reached the ramp the bearings, grease, hubs, seals, and spindle are all warm to hot, and they have expanded to their running temp size. Then you back the rig into the water which instantly cools those parts, causing them to contract. The immediate contraction can actually draw water into the hubs. Plain water is bad, salt is worse. If you can allow the hubs to cool before splashing the boat that'll help.

Dan

[seapuppy]

welcome to the zoo Dale.....can't add anything these guys
haven't already stated...besides...i'm not a trailer guy...so my input would be rittled with stoopid stuff......like don't do that....or why put a perfectly good trailer in the salt water...

now for the boat and engine....definitely run the boat on muffs connected to a hose for at least 15 min after each run....run at idle...don't run it above 1200rpm due to the impeller drawing more water than the hose can supply.....

never approach the dock faster than your willing to crash into it.....

wash thoroughly....wax lots....drink lotsa beer inbetween runs...(not while driving any vehicle)......oh yeah...

take lotsa pic's....no pic's...it didn't happen......


oh yeah..newby buys the beer!!!


SP

[Warpa1]

Hi there, a bit extreme maybe, but you could probably blow Waxoyl through the inside of the trailor, that stuff lasts years! If you look at this link you will see the big pump dispenser in the image.

http://www.waxoylrustproofing.co.uk/...stproofing.php

[dale76]

Thanks guys,

Also forgot to mention that Im planning to put brakes on the trailer.
mechanical drum brakes cost me less but is that suitable for salt water or it should be discs?

[seapuppy]

I'd go with disc brakes.....less maintenance...


SP