GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

[jk1162]

WHAT IS BETTER AROUND SALT WATER, ALUMINUM TRAILERS OR GALVANIZED TRAILERS?

 

[tommays]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

i cant really say its better but galvanized does well <br /><br />its usally the things that bolt to the frame ,springs ,axles ,brake system ,bunks ,rollers ect that give the problems<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Tommays:ts usally the things that bolt to the frame ,springs ,axles ,brake system ,bunks ,rollers ect that give the problems

Agree. Every couple of years I have to cut off some rusted u-bolts and replace them, but the galvanized trailer, even though it looks tatty, is still strong and rust-free.<br /><br />It's in salt several times a week, year round. It gets fresh water washed down probably once a month. Can't complain.<br /><br />Of course, there's galvanizing and galvanizing!

 

[polyb]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

The galvanising is porous and the trailer will eventually rust if you dip it in saltwater. Aluminium will never rust but I am a bit dubious about their strength and they probably cost a fair bit more. I'd go for a gal trailer but coat the area that gets dipped in the water with a rust preventative like Tectyl.

 

[dingbat]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

The galvanising is porous

Never hear of such a thing. It may chip but hot dip galvanize is not porus.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Of course, there's galvanizing and galvanizing!

See my earlier post.<br /><br />But it's not just galvanizing you need to look for - it's quality of design and construction, on either type of trailer.<br /><br />Are there closed box sections? BAD.<br />Are there areas where water can be retained? BAD.<br />Are there joints that cannot be reached and cleaned? BAD.<br /><br />One way to make a decision is to bookmark a load of trailer websites and study them. There are big variances in design.

 

[polyb]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Dingbat,<br />I heard it somewhere. In any event a galvanised trailer will rust and it is always the bit that dips into the water.

 

[tommays]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

well mines 10 years in salt water and the only rust is the saftey chains and the couppler area <br /><br />go figure the parts that never got near the water<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[polyb]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Yeah, but mine was allright too after 10 years, but by 15 years the back section had rusted out. Once the galvanising is compromised the rusting will accelerate quickly.

 

[mikecjn]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Not trying to prove polyb wrong but I have a galvanized 1984 EZ Loader trailer and the trailer itself has not a bit of rust OTHER THAN the coupler and the safety chains like Tommays. It has been a primarily saltwater trailer. <br />Last year I had to replace the axle due to rust but it is the same type axle whether you get an aluminum or galvanized trailer so I really wouldn't judge it by that. <br />I do agree with polyb that once comprimised it can and will rust but still for a trailer that is 21 years old mine looks pretty good.

 

[polyb]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

How long the trailer will last also depends a great deal on how many times a year you launch as well as how much ends up sumerged. I have seen trailers owned by professional fisherman who launch nearly every day. These have been full of rust after only 7 years. The galvanising protects the steel by sacrificing itself (sacrificial anode effect), but eventually it is used up and the steel rusts quickly.

 

[gss036]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

I have a 1989 EZ-Loader and it is starting to rust some. My buddy had one from about 1979-80 and his whole rear bracket rusted through and let the bolts drop. He looked pretty wired going home with the back chained up to hold the boat on. He had to have a saddle type bracket made to fit over the outside of the frame to hold the rollers. etc. I guess he was too cheap to buy another trailer.(did I say that about my friend?OPPS) I have seen 3-4 different trailers in our marina lot lately made from Alum "I" beam, they are sharp and if I ever buy another one, that is what I will get for sure. May be a few $ more but well worth it in my humble opinion. <br />In fact, today as I was walking by the Coast Guard Station here, I noticed they had EZ-Loader trailers, one Galvinized and one Alum "I" beam under their 32's Safe Boats.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

As polyb says:The galvanising protects the steel by sacrificing itself (sacrificial anode effect), but eventually it is used up and the steel rusts quickly.

The galvanizing is sacrificial.<br /><br />The sacrificial effect continues after you've hauled out the trailer, and is prolonged by washing your boat down once you get back home, because the washdown water settles on the trailer and keeps the electrolytic action going.<br /><br />One way to prolong its life is to fresh water wash the trailer AFTER washing the boat, and letting it dry quickly.

 

[Triton II]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

One way to prolong its life is to fresh water wash the trailer AFTER washing the boat, and letting it dry quickly.<br />

And use INOX or similar once a week all over the trailer to create a protective film over the galvanising. My trailer is two years old and does between 4 and 6 salt water launches a week all year round. The galvanising is like new.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Our northern friends don't have INOX.<br /><br />The last time I mentioned it, I heard a collective - huh???

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Hey Ozzie Cousins!<br /><br />Don't you know your own products?<br /><br />Inox is not recommended for trailers - Lanox is.<br />Made by the same people, but heavier duty for marine and similar applications.<br /><br />

:LANOX HEAVY DUTY MX4: TRAILERS: Boat, box, Car and Horsefloats. Spray on chassis, springs and axles, hinges, couplings, winches, cables, lighting fittings and electricals for protection from salt air and water corrosion

Check out Candans website, huh?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: GALVANIZED OR ALUMINUM TRAILER & SALT WATER

Lanox is made from the oil in wool. It's good stuff.<br /><br />But I use INOX on everything - it's even food rated.