Anyone drill water drainage holes in your trailer for salt?

[MOA_Chaser]

Still considering taking my boat to the gulf this summer. My galvanized MFI trailer is still in great shape and I'd like to keep it that way. I likely have use of a boat lift on a canal, but I'm not sure yet where I'd put in.

Should I drill drainage holes to let the salt water out? Would it compromise the trailer or make it fail inspection? I'd hate to have it rust from the inside out because of a couple dunks this summer.

 

[BigN8]

No. You will break the galvanized coating. The drill holes will begin to rust and then it will compound over time. Do not disrupt the integrity of the galvanized metal

 

[Glassman]

If you are that concerned I would suggest you stop at a local self serve car wash and pressure wash with soap and rinse thoroughly. Stay away from bearings and the surge brake unit.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

DON'T DRILL!!! There are already drainage holes in there from the galvanizing process. You do not want to break the coating as that is where it will start to rust. Just after you splash and retrieve, be sure you give the trailer a good washdown with soap and water and all should be fine.

 

[captainhook]

You can spray water into the frame from the tongue of the trailer. I do this every time with mine when I spray the trailer down with the host during clean up. I did the same with my Sea Doo and it is holding up very well.

 

[Big Shasta]

Realize that a galvanized trailer is dipped in the zinc solution during production and will have galvanized coating inside the tubing and out. The problem with painted trailers is they don't have any paint inside the tubing, it's raw unpainted steel (it may have a limited anti corrosive primer dip but not sealed like the paint on the outside). So they rust from the inside out. That's why galvanized trailers are better for salt water.