At Trailer Liquidation Direct, we understand that purchasing a new or pre-owned trailer is a significant investment. The team at our trailer dealership in Lexington, North Carolina, has experience taking great care of all kinds of trailers, from protecting your vehicle from salt air to guarding against wet Piedmont winters. Doing some basic maintenance and rust prevention is much more affordable than replacing corroded parts, helping your trailer last longer and remain in better condition.
What Causes Rust for North Carolina Trailer Owners?
North Carolina’s landscape offers a diverse range of climates and conditions, which makes for beautiful sightseeing in the region, but also means local drivers need to be prepared for a wide range of weather and road conditions. From coastal storms to slippery Blue Ridge Mountain roads, there are a number of reasons why North Carolina trailer owners tend to see corrosion and rust, including:
- Coastal Salt: For drivers on the Atlantic coast, salt air can accelerate oxidation.
- Winter Road Brine: Pre-treatment chemicals used on North Carolina roads in the winter cling to the undercarriage and eat away at the metal.
- High Humidity: Constant moisture in the air speeds up the rusting process in exposed steel.
How to Prevent Trailer Rust
Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent rust from damaging your trailer.
- Wash Regularly: It’s important to hose down your trailer after trips to the beach or winter hauling. Don't skip rinsing down the undercarriage, axles, and leaf springs, where salt often hides.
- Inspect and Touch Up Rock Chips: Gravel roads and highway debris cause rock chips that expose bare metal, leaving openings for rust to form. Inspect regularly and use rust-stopping touch-up paint as soon as you find chips.
- Apply Protective Coatings: Undercoating sprays, marine-grade grease, or lanolin-based sprays can be applied to your trailer’s exposed undercarriage parts and electrical grounds to protect from moisture, salt, and other chemicals.
- Grease Moving Parts: Keeping components like hinges, jack gears, and the coupler well-lubricated not only keeps them moving smoothly, but also blocks out unwanted moisture.
- Store Your Trailer Properly: Park your trailer on concrete or gravel, as dirt and grass can trap moisture underneath, accelerating undercarriage rust. If you’re storing your trailer long-term, use a breathable tarp or park it under a carport to protect the paint from sun damage and rain.
What Should I Do If My Trailer Already Has Rust?
If you notice that your trailer is already rusting, quick action can prevent the damage from getting worse.
- Clean away accumulated rust with a wire brush. You may want to use a rust remover, as well. Sandpaper and vinegar can also be used on lighter areas of rust.
- Apply a rust converter or inhibitor to the areas you just cleaned, to prevent further corrosion.
- Prime your surface.
- Repaint with an appropriate metal paint to prevent moisture from reentering.
Schedule Trailer Maintenance in Lexington, NC
If you’re looking for expert support on maintaining your trailer, our Lexington trailer dealership is here to help. You can schedule service at Trailer Liquidation Direct, or contact our team about ordering replacement parts for your trailer. We’re conveniently located in Lexington, so it’s always easy to drop by and ask advice on maintaining your trailer from our expert staff.
