Improving my trailer

[Mainah]

I am planning the following to my 2016 galvanized trailer

• Upgrading the wheels/tires to alloy/radials
• Replacing my cracked fenders and brackets
• Beefing up the fender brackets and adding an attachment point for the lower insider plastic to the soon to be beefed up middle bracket
• Changing out the bunk carpet to a better one (yes I found a better bunk carpet)
• Spraying the frame in black epoxy truck bed liner with minimal texture or black epoxy sealer?

So the last one is where I am seeking any experience/advice. I don't like the galvanized look. Will applying an epoxy truck bed liner stick well to the galvanized frame after only a thorough pressure washing? T-rex is the brand I am looking to use as it has less texture when sprayed right and will be a bit glossier. I figure since it will be torn down for all of the mods might as well do it now but don't wan't to sand it if not needed and going the etching primer route adds expense. An alternate thought would be a black epoxy sealer instead of the liner and the same questions apply.

Oh yeah I already swapped out the 5 pin connector for a 7 pin and potted the connections by liberally applying hot glue before sliding the casing over and do have a stoltz roller installed.

Thoughts?

 

[swatski]

Galvanized trailers last longer and require less maintenance. I agree that galvanized trailers are ugly, however if you paint it you better do a good job, or will have to maintain it forever.

http://www.galvanizeit.org/images/uploads/articles/paintsteel.pdf

 

[Mainah]

@swatski - Thanks so much. That document is perfect. I love understanding the science behind it. Interpreting the science into real world products I have come up with the following. For about 20 bucks I can get a gallon of biodegradable concentrated coil cleaner to put in my pump sprayer and mix with water to proper ph. Good point on doing a good job. I have seen awful gloss paint jobs so guess I will go with truck bed liner as I don't have the desire to put the time into a full gloss job. I really like the part about if you do it right it will last longer than just paint or galvanization alone.

So when I get around to this in a few weeks I will revive this thread and post results.

 

[KXCam22]

Dont forgdt some electrical mods. Led lights and running a dedicated ground wire down each side will save you grief down the road. I added flood lights for backing into dark places which have been invaluable. Cam

 

[Ronnie]

I painted my galvanized trailer with spray on truck bedliner when it was two or three years old. All I did was wash it first. It has been about two or three years since, As far as I can tell the trailer is fine and I'm happier with it black. One thing though is that the rough surface of the truck bedliner takes in dirt easily, for instance when I step on the exposed areas with shoes on the dirt on the bottom of my shoes instantly transfers to it and has to be power washed off. Sponges don't work well on the truck bed liner paint. One alternative to braking out the hose is to simply paint over the dirty areas.

Other improvements to consider to the trialer are guide posts/veve guides, boat buckles/self retracing transom straps of you don't already have them and a boat buddy II, ramp n clamp or similar system.