without painting.... how does one know whether their galvinization is still working????? Hmmmmmm....
Good question.
I assume by the time you see rust it's too late to matter. Here is another one question, why aren't the leaf springs galvanized?
I'm nearly positive that you're correct
@Ronnie. By the time you see the rust, your top layer of protection is gone.
And I was wondering about the leaf springs too! I'm assuming that they're just meant to be a 'replace when needed part'.
I found this info on a different forum re: galvanized trailers
'...Keep in mind that galvanization is a sacrificial coating, with age and time it will wear down to the point where it's no longer able to protect the steel.
Galvanizing is a zinc coating on steel, it corrodes or erodes away with time leaving the underlying steel unprotected. Drilling through this coating exposes bare steel as well, and such a spot will always be a point of concern.
Also keep in mind that the hardware is not galvanized on most trailers, they are built this way for strength and safety, as most galvanized hardware tends to be soft and not rated high enough to handle most loads.
For years I've always painted my hardware each year to prevent it from rusting away, as well as painting my galvanized trailers which are used in saltwater. I've been using one trailer now for over 25 years in saltwater and other than a few sets of safety chains and some hardware, the frame is good as new. Springs, axles, and hardware will always be wear items on boat trailers, in saltwater its even worse. The same goes for steel fenders, which seem to be the first thing to rust out on a saltwater used trailer... '
