Trailer Rust, cross members and welds.

[skalunda]

So I got my spindles cleaned up and new bearings on. Everything is solid on the spindles. Now I am concerned about the trailer frame. It's got some significant rust on the cross member right above the axle and springs.

Please look at these photos, what do you think? I tapped the right side near the side frame with a ball peen and some rust started falling out of one hole as seen in the photos but the rest seems solid. The top of the frame at that location looks good.

This is a light boat on this trailer. About 600 lbs altogether at the most.

I labeled the passenger side photos.

 

[dingbat]

So I got my spindles cleaned up and new bearings on. Everything is solid on the spindles. Now I am concerned about the trailer frame. It's got some significant rust on the cross member right above the axle and springs.

Please look at these photos, what do you think? I tapped the right side near the side frame with a ball peen and some rust started falling out of one hole as seen in the photos but the rest seems solid. The top of the frame at that location looks good.

This is a light boat on this trailer. About 600 lbs altogether at the most.

I labeled the passenger side photos.

I’m seeing some funky stuff (peeling paint) but real “rust” per say.

Take a ball peen hammer to points of concern. Give them a couple of good whacks. If you dont break through your good to go for now.

Wire brush the problem areas to clean off excess crud as it holds moisture which perpetuates the corrosion.
Clean real well and paint to slow the spread ……them start your search for a replacement trailer

 

[briangcc]

What concerns me are those welds on the cross members. From appearances, and the camera may be playing tricks, it looks like some of the welds have cracked through. First pic is concerning to me as it looks like top & bottom are still attached but that side isn't.

I'd be tossing a wire wheel in a drill to clean that up and get a better idea of what I was looking at - dust mask and face shield would be a given as I don't want that in my eyes or lungs.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Most of the welds are cracked.

Lots of inspection required.

 

[skalunda]

I’m seeing some funky stuff (peeling paint) but real “rust” per say.

Take a ball peen hammer to points of concern. Give them a couple of good whacks. If you dont break through your good to go for now.

Wire brush the problem areas to clean off excess crud as it holds moisture which perpetuates the corrosion.
Clean real well and paint to slow the spread ……them start your search for a replacement trailer

I cleaned each side up with a wire wheel as good as I could. Gonna hit it with sandpaper next. I don't think the one side of the steel tubing was ever welded on either side really. I'm going to fill that joint in with steel stick jb weld and then paint it all. I wacked it with a hammer a couple times in each spot and it's all solid still. Just some rust holes in the one side but it's still solid in that area for now.

 

[airshot]

Plugging holes with JB weld will keep water from draining out and speed up the rust problem...I would rethink that step..