How long will my steel trailer last in S. Floridah salt water

[krypto69]

HI

Have a new 2023 shorelander steel trailer. It will be in salt/brakish water. I will use salt away after every trip - but I know one day it will rust no matter what I do.. I will need to buy a galvanized aluminum trailer.

How long can I expect it to last 2-3 years?

Can I order the shorelander Yamaha factory replacement in galvanized without a dealer? part number? Am i better off just buying a local generic aluminum replacement when that magical day comes?

 

[Babin Farms]

I have the same issue and the plan is to use it till it falls apart. I took the plugs out of the main frame tubes in the back so I can rinse inside the frame and use salt away on the entire trailer after every use. I give extra attention to the back side of the rims, leaf springs and trailer brakes just because those are usually the area that most people forget about. I am keeping an eye out for an aluminum frame trailer and if the price is right I’ll jump on it but I’m in no hurry.

 

[dgfreeze]

I’m not in salt, but my observations are that it depends a lot on how much time you are willing to devote to maintenance. I’ve seen people post pics of their trailers in terrible shape after 2-3 years, and others claim to get twice that, or more. I’d look at as two options: use it until it’s rusted away, which will be a gamble on how long that takes, or sell it now, and put that money toward a galvanized/aluminum trailer. If you’re going to be in and out of the water quite a bit with it, I would recommend upgrading now. If you’re only dipping it a few times a year, it might be worth riding the rust for all she’s got. Just remember, if it’s a brand new trailer, and never seen salt, it’ll never be worth more than right now, and a replacement galvanized/aluminum trailer will likely never be cheaper than right now. On the other hand, waiting kicks the can down the road, and if money is tight now, it would likely make the upgrade easier on the budget. But from a purely numbers view, now is the smart move.

 

[VitaminSea]

Regardless of your trailer decision, might want to invest in a pressurized spray bottle (gallon type from Home Depot) and take some salt away premixed with you and spray the hubs , springs, and hardware down after dunking.

Yes, it adds another thing to do, but only takes 1-2 minutes to walk around the trailer and spray it down. Since I had my leaf springs replaced, I have done this and only have minimal rust.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Regardless of your trailer decision, might want to invest in a pressurized spray bottle (gallon type from Home Depot) and take some salt away premixed with you and spray the hubs , springs, and hardware down after dunking.

Yes, it adds another thing to do, but only takes 1-2 minutes to walk around the trailer and spray it down. Since I had my leaf springs replaced, I have done this and only have minimal rust.

There was a vid I saw of a guy with a Hudson sprayer and he just had fresh water in it and after he parked he‘d walk around the trailer mainly hitting the hubs and wheels with a good spritz of fresh water and that was keeping his running gear in good shape.

 

[VitaminSea]

There was a vid I saw of a guy with a Hudson sprayer and he just had fresh water in it and after he parked he‘d walk around the trailer mainly hitting the hubs and wheels with a good spritz of fresh water and that was keeping his running gear in good shape.

I got the idea from a similar video and just decided why not add some Salt Away to the mix. Generally I just pour in what is left in the mixing cup after I am done flushing & rinsing and the sprayer is good to go for next outing.

 

[Cambo]

They rust from the inside the best way to stop this is to spray fluid film inside the frame members especially the cross members. The mfi steel trailers with no spraying besides regular hose rinse off lasted about 7 to 8 years pure salt water. But the last years no long trips just short runs to the ramp. Watch some videos of how to spray Fluid film inside the frames of cars this will out perform salt away.

 

[dgfreeze]

I am a big fan of fluid film also. It helps a lot with all the salt and brine here in the Midwest winters. The spray gun and the tube attachment do well with getting a decent coating inside tubular frames and crossmembers. But man, that stuff smells like baby puke.

 

[krypto69]

Ahh fluid film - didn't know about that stuff. I'll give that a go.

Thanks Guys. Better start saving for a new trailer tho...

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Ahh fluid film - didn't know about that stuff. I'll give that a go.

Thanks Guys. Better start saving for a new trailer tho...

Go forth and use thy boat profusely in the mean time…

 

[diehard]

i use woolwax much thicker then fluid film and no bad smell.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Also add a good zinc anode to the back of the trailer since it is grounded to the tow vehicle that has the alternator and battery putting a strong ground into it when it is backed into the water.