I have a trailer that has a fair amount of rust on the frame that I would like to get removed and re-painted. It is possible that some parts may need to be replaced, in which case the frame may need to be taken apart. I am located in Virginia and am wondering if anyone has had similar work done on a trailer and/or has a recommendation of where to take it? I am not familiar with anyone who specializes in this type of work. TIA!
I am not near you, but going to jump in here anyway since I do live in the “trailer capital of the World -Elkhart, IN!” --within 7 miles of my house are 3 horse trailer manufacturers and about 500 RV/trailer/manufactured home manufacturers. Now, your trailer —is it a horse trailer? I would hesitate to put money into a horse trailer that needs the frame taken apart due to rust --but anyway --your frame can have the rust removed and be repainted --that’s not uncommon. I’ve done it myself (little old lady). You treat the rust (Naval Jelly as I recall), get down to the metal (I used a stiff metal brush, then brillo pads. Then I used spray paint since it was underneath --Rustolium. Did consider a heavier “paint” that actually goes on more like “rhino-guard” --but went with a shiny black instead. I was restoring a trailer that had been left out side for 8 years (bought it to restore it). Frame had surface rust, but nothing that needed repaired or welded.
Now that’s relatively easy (assuming you have a lift and can get under the trailer) or if you are talking about the tongue of the trailer. Any other part that requires the frame to be separated from the rest of the trailer is now moving into the category of “not worth the effort.” The problem is labor + materials will exceeded the value of the trailer once you finish, or have paid someone to do it for you. Making a trailer repair like replacing a wall on a frame involves welding and knowledge of stress points, metal fatigue and if it is aluminum welding, true art. You are literally building a new trailer --and like many repairs, it’s easier and have a better end result if you build a new one rather than restore and old one. Again, I would hesitate to buy or sell a trailer for a horse to be hauled in that has needed that much repair work. I have replaced parts of walls (again, aluminum welding is an art --I don’t do it but there are people here who do) usually it’s more of a rivet job --but that leaves rough edges that a horse can cut himself on.
The other problem for you --other than finding someone to do the work --is parts. Around me are warehouses filled with trailer parts --over runs, slightly damaged, extra this and that. I can pick up a piece of trailer siding for $25 --not sure stuff like that is as readily available every place else.
If you want to haul it to Elkhart IN, then try Hobson RV Repair --Jeremy Hobson is a master at restoration --although most of his trade is RVs --he has a sign outside that says, “If I Can’t Fix it, it can’t Be Fixed.” I’ve found that to be true. He’s talented and fair on his pricing. I send him pix of what I need done, and he’ll answer pretty quick about how long it will take and about how much it costs. https://hobsonrv.com/
Take the trailer to a professional Welder (not your neighbor) and let them evaluate the depth of the rust.
My first stock trailer went bye-bye just for this reason. The welder took a quick look and said “never put a horse in here again”.
That was 1987 and I bought a brand new stock trailer. I still have that stock trailer and it is virtually rust free, even though it has never sat inside. That’s because I am originally from the OH/PA border where we had oilers who set up oiling practice every Fall.
My gosh I’m sure THAT tidbit will upset a few people but I still my 1987 Ponderosa in tact and safe to haul a horse.
Further to that, my old GMC had holes drilled in the rockers, filled with oil, then plugged. I also still have that truck — with no rust on the rockers - imagine that.
But we wouldn’t want to take anything to an Oiler these days, if they even existed, as it might upset the environment much worse than what we’re doing with so many other things to make money big bucks:)
This is fairly normal rust and nothing to worry about. There are no big chunks and I don’t see any soft spots.
If you are concerned and have the money I would find someone who can spray it with a rust converter and then undercoat it with a rubberized material. I don’t even see the need to have it sandblasted.
From the pictures it appears that the rust is superficial. But @walkinthewalk 's idea to take it to a professional welder for an evaluation is your first step. You likely could “pretty it up” with good cleaning and paint, but it would be wrong, I think, to do so and sell it to anyone to haul a horse.
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Thanks you guys! I think I will take that newer trailer to a professional just to be on the safe side since I do not have much experience with rust removal. This is a trailer I am keeping and hoping to use for years to come. As for the older trailer that I am trying to get rid of, the rust is definitely not normal or superficial rust (unfortunately don’t have pictures on hand) and will need some welding work, so will try to poke around and see if there is any welders, etc who purchase trailers like these to restore themselves or put to another use. I definitely do not want to market an unsafe trailer! One person gave me a ballpark estimate of $2k to make repairs to the frame but I am not sure it would be worth it to spend all that and try to resell for a teeny bit of profit.
@walkinthepark I honestly feel like some of the older trailers made back in those years were probably built better than some that are going around now! So many people love to cut corners nowadays.
