Trailer tires

[WILMASBOYL78]

Checking tires is a great idea...and also looking at the rest of the trailer. This past December I decided to repack the bearings on our snowmobile trailer...it sits around for 9-10 months without much use. Tires looked a little cracked so I ordered new wheels with tires already mounted.

When I went to swap them I noticed something strange with the axle mounting point onto the trailer frame. After a little inspection we found out the steel axle had corroded the aluminum frame and the axle was sucked up into the trailer frame, both sides

The axle company called it 'galvanic corrosion'...mix steel with aluminum and add the salt...recipe for disaster. Fortunately I caught it in time...we installed a new axle and two new aluminum frame rails.

As an added precaution I took the new wheels and tires off and installed the old ones for summer storage. They will go back on when the snow flies...

Trailer maintenance is greatly over looked by many. Following this experience I designed a client ad for the NYS Snowmobile Association magazine.

-wilma

[67since67]

Originally Posted by WILMASBOYL78

Checking tires is a great idea...and also looking at the rest of the trailer.
Trailer maintenance is greatly over looked by many.

-wilma

Great points Wilma!! Mindful that my trailer has rolled 115K miles, I roll around under it at least a couple times a year looking for any issues. I pack wheel bearings at 10K and carry a spare hub/brake assembly.

And steel against aluminum,
The steel axle support rails under mine are separated from the aluminum trailer frame by heavy sheet plastic, all bolts are stainless.

[Too Many Projects]

Yes, on the separation of dis-similar metals. All it takes is a layer of clear packaging tape. Hope you did something similar, Wilma.
In the early-mid 80's Peterbilt was done with their mild steel west coast mirror frames rusting prematurely in the salt states and went to stainless brackets. Several years later, they learned of their mistake when the paint around the brackets was failing under warranty and the corrosion issue was discovered. Cost them a bit to replace doors for a while. Even my '92 didn't have any insulation, which I added as soon as I bought it, in '95.
Bill, I don't use stainless bolts, as they will still react where they touch aluminum. I use grade 8 bolts with a zink coating and anti-seize on them. I install them in a manner that I never have to turn the bolt and scratch the zinc, only turn the nut...