Does Zincs on a trailer make sense?

[rgranger]

Okay so I'm letting my mind wander while waiting for the weather to warm up enough to play on my boat.

I have a question for all of you electrical (galvanic) experts.

I understand why we galvanize trailers with a coating of zinc. But what about the trailer that is older and the galvanization is looking tired. Would it help slow down the deterioration of the trailer to bolt a few zinc anodes onto the trailer (like we do to our boats and outboards)?

I understand that the "best" way to do this is to get the trailer hot dipped... but that would take initiative and lots of money....so I guess what I'm asking is... would bolting on a zinc be a useful (albeit inferior) way of protecting a trailer?

I've also used a Rust-Oleum product called "Cold Galvanizing Compound" on one of my trailers. Seems okay but after a season I can already see a few spots of break through.

Anyway, if you have thoughts on this you'd like to share...

 

[Sanfelice]

Not really. Judging from your location you sail in fresh water. If you look at boats that are pulled from freshwater lakes the zincs look perfect. This is because they aren't doing anything. In fresh water you need to use magnesium anodes. It is down right scary how much stray electrical current is floating around marinas. After 1 1/2 years mine was about 1/2 way eaten through. Try www.boatzincs.com for more information.

 

[Mike B1026]

Unless your trailer stays in the water, I don't see that an anode of zinc or magnesium would help.

 

[CalebD]

Rob,
I think the short answer is that putting a zinc on your trailer probably would not hurt anything but it may not help that much either.

Having owned a few trailers I know that my biggest problem was keeping up with the maintenance on the trailer as I'd always prefer to do maintenance on my boat instead. Trailers need good maintenance, especially if you plan on taking them to far away places - but you already know that. Leaf springs wear out, bearings need to be greased, bunks need inspecting but keeping rust from forming on the trailer always seemed impossible to me.
Keeping a trailer well painted and protected was a chore. As with most paint jobs the prep work on the trailer is important, as is the coating you choose.
I use a product on the prop of my Tartan 27' that I would use as a coating for a trailer: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10918|296162|1017093&id=157662
It is 93% zinc, inhibits corrosion and has good adhesion as it is always still present on my prop in the fall after haul out. I'm sure it would take several cans to do an adequate job on a trailer but I'll bet it would last for a number of years. If I still had a trailer I would try this product out.
Unfortunately, there is no avoiding trailer maintenance.

Good luck.

 

[rgranger]

Rob,
I think the short answer is that putting a zinc on your trailer probably would not hurt anything but it may not help that much either.

Having owned a few trailers I know that my biggest problem was keeping up with the maintenance on the trailer as I'd always prefer to do maintenance on my boat instead. Trailers need good maintenance, especially if you plan on taking them to far away places - but you already know that. Leaf springs wear out, bearings need to be greased, bunks need inspecting but keeping rust from forming on the trailer always seemed impossible to me.
Keeping a trailer well painted and protected was a chore. As with most paint jobs the prep work on the trailer is important, as is the coating you choose.
I use a product on the prop of my Tartan 27' that I would use as a coating for a trailer: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10918|296162|1017093&id=157662
It is 93% zinc, inhibits corrosion and has good adhesion as it is always still present on my prop in the fall after haul out. I'm sure it would take several cans to do an adequate job on a trailer but I'll bet it would last for a number of years. If I still had a trailer I would try this product out.
Unfortunately, there is no avoiding trailer maintenance.

Good luck.

Yep! I guess I was looking for a shortcut. This cold galvanizing compound from Rust-Oleum seems like a good product. I've used it on one of my trailers before. I've also used Rust-Oleum's "Rust Stripper" before as part of a prep job. Seems to do a decent job.

 

[rgranger]

Not really. Judging from your location you sail in fresh water. If you look at boats that are pulled from freshwater lakes the zincs look perfect. This is because they aren't doing anything. In fresh water you need to use magnesium anodes. It is down right scary how much stray electrical current is floating around marinas. After 1 1/2 years mine was about 1/2 way eaten through. Try www.boatzincs.com for more information.

Thanks SanFelice

Actually I sail a good bit in the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds.... so I dunk my trailer in salt water about 3 or 4 times each summer.