Winter towing....
12-29-2017, 06:14 AM
#12
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iTrader: (5)
Based on (extensive) previous experience, I'd be real careful about towing in the winter - especially if there's any salt on the roads. Every single steel trailer I've ever seen that was towed in the winter with salt involved ended up corroding and dying and early death. And don't think Aluminum trailers are exempt either because they have many steel components attached to them. Yes, you can try washing the salt off, but (again, based on experience) I've never seen anybody who has really been successful at getting it all off. I say that because those trailers also corroded faster than similar trailers that were never towed in the winter.
If it were me, I'd either wait until a day when the roads were clear, or wait until spring. It's just not worth it if you value your trailer. Notice that I didn't say anything about the boat and motor. That's because the components and finishes used on them seem to be much more corrosion resistant than what is found on trailers. Just my 2 cents.
If it were me, I'd either wait until a day when the roads were clear, or wait until spring. It's just not worth it if you value your trailer. Notice that I didn't say anything about the boat and motor. That's because the components and finishes used on them seem to be much more corrosion resistant than what is found on trailers. Just my 2 cents.
12-29-2017, 06:45 AM
#13
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Had to tow a new boat back to the factory in the snow in December and back home in the snow in January. The high the day I brought it home was exactly 33 degrees. I looked like a fool to my neighbors outside in my driveway hand washing every inch of my new steel trailer but I didn't care. Trailer was fine.
12-29-2017, 09:17 AM
#15
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Gold Member
12-29-2017, 09:21 AM
#16
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iTrader: (1)
Show me a 10yr old steel snowmobile trailer that's not rotted and we'll see it was used for storage only and never moved. But, it is probably starting to rust good just sitting outside.
Best thing ever in sled industry was aluminum trailers. Just have to keep up on the steel axle housings.
Yup, and around here they all turn into rotted messes too...unlessnot used during winter, which many arent...but still rust and rot..just slower without salt.
Best thing ever in sled industry was aluminum trailers. Just have to keep up on the steel axle housings.
Yup, and around here they all turn into rotted messes too...unlessnot used during winter, which many arent...but still rust and rot..just slower without salt.
Last edited by SB; 12-29-2017 at 09:23 AM.
12-29-2017, 09:37 AM
#17
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I guess it depends on the quality of steel, My heavy tags and lowboys are still holding up well. I travel on crappy salty roads and go to the truck wash every 4 to 6 weeks. I have 1 trailer with over 600000 miles on it in 10 years. Most of the others are 300K plus.
Just wash it when your done, Its not like you are dipping it in salt to off load which Kills a trailer
Just wash it when your done, Its not like you are dipping it in salt to off load which Kills a trailer
12-29-2017, 09:53 AM
#18
after the boat and trailer get rinsed off i put the lawn sprinkler under the axles and let it go back and forth about 1/2 hour.
better than nothing and better than crawling under there.
better than nothing and better than crawling under there.
12-29-2017, 03:30 PM
#20
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Gold Member
Lots of discussion about steel trailers when he's already stated he has an aluminum trailer. My aluminum trailer with stainless and galvanized hardware has been dunked in salt water a hundred times over the last 10 years. Does it look brand new? Hell no, but there isn't massive structural damage - my issue is the cheap brakes are rotted away, but the trailer and fasteners are fine. I wouldn't worry.....
