There’s no doubt about it—having to repair your trailer frame can be expensive. While cracks and dents are two common reasons people come to us for trailer frame repair in Eugene, OR, we also see a lot of rusty trailers that need to be fixed in one way or another. That’s a shame, too. We hate seeing rust on trailers because it’s so easy to avoid! Here are some good tips for keeping your trailer rust-free:
- Wash your trailer: Keeping a clean trailer is just as important as keeping the truck or SUV attached to the trailer spotless. Try to thoroughly wash your trailer after each use to help ensure mud and other debris don’t sit on the frame for a long time. Caked-on mud will eventually cause a rust issue. It’s well worth the extra time it takes to hit your trailer with some soap and water to avoid a bad-looking and rusty trailer.
- Inspect your trailer: The aforementioned cracks and dents that necessitate repairs can also lead to rust issues. Any moisture that seeps into an unprotected area of your trailer can cause rust. If found early, cracks can be easily repaired by anyone with basic welding skills. However, if the cracks go unrepaired, they’ll need to be fixed by our professionals. Washing your trailer after each use is a great way to inspect it, too.
- Touch up the paint outside: Painting over any spots on your trailer that have been chipped or have minor rusty areas is an easy DIY job that can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. The right paint will protect the area from any future rust accumulation and will only cost you a few dollars at the hardware store. A word to the wise: pick out your paint carefully. Anyone who’s ever painted anything before knows that paint often changes color once it’s dried. You don’t want a trailer that looks like it’s been painted by someone with no experience.
- Apply rust preventative inside: While rust is most noticeable on the outside, the undercarriage and inside parts of your trailer (such as the wheel wells) can accumulate rust rather quickly. This is especially true if you haven’t been cleaning your trailer on a regular basis. Like paint, rust preventative can also be purchased at any hardware store. It may take a while to completely cover the hidden spots of your trailer, but it’s sure to do wonders to prevent rust and help you avoid unnecessary repairs.
Experts say touching up the paint outside and applying rust preventative inside every year or two will help keep the rust away and help keep your trailer out of the repair shop.
While you can never predict when your trailer will get cracked or dented and require trailer frame repair in Eugene, OR, you can prevent rust. If you’ve neglected to prevent rust from getting on your trailer, give Ron’s Hitch N Tow a call! We’d be glad to remove the rust and get your trailer back to looking good as new.