Steel painted trailer in Saltwater

[jarwood]

We go to the Panhandle of Florida every year on vacation. I thought about taking my boat down this year. Would the saltwater do that much damage to my trailer? We may use the boat 2-3 times that week. I have heard the best way to wash your trailer after you are in saltwater is too submerge the boat and trailer in a fresh water lake after using in saltwater. Any ideas? My trailer is a painted steel shorelander tandem.

Thanks

 

[avguy]

We took our painted Prestige to the gulf 2 yrs ago. Flushed it real good with Salt-a-way after each launch then dunked it in the lake after we got back. No problems yet. Scott

 

[fwebster]

We used to drag trailer boats down to the beach 2-3 times a year and never had a problem. You do have to work at keeping the corrosion away by washing the frame and flushing the brakes. I washed the frame with soap and water after each day and made a flushing device for brakes where I hooked up a hose connection and let it run thru the backing plate assembly.

Winter maintenance is also important. If you take the boat to salt water get in the habit of checking and repacking wheel bearings every winter. I find that it was impossible to keep all the salt water out of the hubs, but once I started repacking after the last trip of the year, I didn't have any issues. The thing with salt water is that if it sits in the hubs, it will pit bearing rollers and racecs. Just get it gone by repacking and you won't have any problems.

I will also tell you that if you are a hardcore boater taking a boat to the coast will ruin you. If you are like us, there are so many new places to see and things to do that coastal boating opens totally new horizons for you and you can never get enough. Do it...it is well worth the effort and you won't regret it.

 

[chuck1]

We hauled MS Judy down to the CSR PCB get-to-gather last summer. Went down early and ran the ICW before for about a week before it. One of our best trips yet. Would highly recommend it, but like Frank said it could become very addictive. (Grin)

 

[Just Right]

A prior boat had several dozen trips to salt water and alternated somewhat with fresh water trips. The tubular axles allowed water to get inside: both axles rusted from the inside out. Didn't know I should have either sealed the tubes or to install a flush 'n drain.

 

[Henry Boyd]

As long as you flush with fresh water you will be fine if you are only talking a 2-3 week vacation. Hosing it down (including inside the tubes, if tube construction) while you are away, and then a good dunk in a lake when you get home will be more than enough.

Frank's comment about the axle bearings is important. You can help by repacking the bearings with the so called 'waterproof' axe grease that is sold for boat trailers, and replacing the axle seals before you go. Not a bad idea regardless if you are going a long way at highway speeds in the summer.

The other spot to watch is the condition of the electrical system. When we trailered I had to replace the lights every other year until I converted to LEDs and no exposed connections 'below the water line'. Salt water simply eats the bulb sockets and any exposed connections. In any event, if you trailer a lot, an LED upgrade is well worth it. Why do you think companies UPS have spent millions on converting their fleets?

Henry

 

[PIRATES BOOTY]

We purchased our freshwater 250da when we were still living in Florida and it came with an Eagle box steel trailer. Very nice for fresh, but we had extremely limited access to a body of fresh water to immerse it in. We would typically boat every weekend in the ICW or the Gulf, so it did see more action than if on a vacation.

Washed it out as much as possible after each outing, but 1.5 years later, I fear that all is now lost. The trailer is looking pretty rough, and will most likely need to be replaced at the end of the season before something breaks enroute to the local lake. Mechanically, maintainance keeps the brakes and bearings in good shape, but mine is rusting from the inside out, especially at the welded seams and tube openings.

I looked into a trailer specific galvanic corrosion prevention system, but never followed thru after leaving Florida. Looking back, maybe I could have saved the trailer long term if I had, but.....

My advice; enjoy the salt water while you can, and use whatever means needed to get the salt out.....

Have Fun.

Andy