Saltwater aluminum trailer: to paint or not to paint
 

I'm thinking of replacing my steel Skater trailer with an aluminum trailer.

I see very varying opinion as to whether it is a good idea to paint an aluminum trailer used in saltwater. They range from "You have to paint it, otherwise it will look like crap" to "Absolutely don't paint it if you will use it in salt water. You will get corrosion under the paint".

Opinions, please!

I had an aluminum tri-axle under my F-302 Formula that was dunked in salt weekly, i'd rinse whenever possible and the only issues i had were with the drum brakes on the trailer and some corrosion on the non stainless U-bolts

Was it painted or unpainted?

I will definitely get disk brakes. The 20 year old Kodiak brakes on my Skater trailer are still trouble free...

mine was unpainted....... i'd have real concern about corrosion getting under a paint chip
I wanted disc but the trailer came at a great price with the 2 axle drum.... kicked myself later but when the drums failed / corroded it was pretty cheap to simply buy the whole assembly and change them every 4 years or so

I had a friend with a powered coated aluminum trailer, he never had any issues. Sure you will get a chip here or there. So what.

I had a powder coated aluminum trailer. It was an 2002 that I sold in 2021. Trailer was in really good shape.the salt did get under it here and there, not much. Was in really good shape for 19 years old. I'll see if I can find a picture of it.

Definitely get the Kodiak stainless discs. You don't regret it.

I am actually changing calipers on my trailer. just so everyone knows... kodiack was bought by dexterin 2017... looks like it is getting harder to get calipers ! in my neck of the woods at least...so for long term, i would think about getting another brand just in case kodiak becomes obsolete too soon...

Shark Hide works wonders on bare aluminum… mine is going on 6 years old and looks new. Probably dunked in saltwater 150 times and at least 35,000 miles towed.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4387daf5d.jpeg

I have a black-painted Myco with upgrades done by Adrenaline. It's been 30k miles in a year and in the salt from Miami to California. It looks amazing when clean,and doesn't look too dirty after 3k miles coast-to-coast. It also just adds to the looks IMO. The protection seems to be better on painted aluminum too.

My painted steel Skater trailer was heavy and had bad corrosion after only a few seasons. Aluminum is the way to go.

Owen and Sons aluminum tri-axle - thirty years old. I've replaced the bunks, springs, and brakes. Still looks and tows great.