rerod
Iowa
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I have a aluminum trailer and was a bit surprised to see the axle carrier was steel.
Is Galvanic corrosion a concern in a trailer environment? I ask because I need to add supports to my aluminum frame to secure two motorcycles and wondered if using anything other than welded aluminum was a bad idea?
Or is Galvanic corrosion only a concern in wet salty area's?
Thanks
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Not a concern unless you immerse it in water 
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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christopherglenn
a little over an hour from Yosemite
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Paint the joint. Corrosion needs oxygen, a good layer of paint (We spec epoxy paint alot) with decent prep (clean the area of anything loose) and go for it. All you are trying to hit is the joint + maybe 1/4 inch of each piece.
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EgorKC
Kansas
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The Manufacturer should have isolated the two metals with a dielectric break (plastic or rubber washer) to prevent the issue as a standard practice. There will be a problem if they did not but it will accrue over time. Normal humidity plus water splash from roads during rain is enough to start the corrosion process. Having said that, it will be a slow process and you can ask your dealer to check those connections each time you have the bearings or breaks serviced.
I work for a supplier to the Metal building industry and galvanic reaction is a regularly discussed and addressed topic. You are wise to question but I suspect the Manufacturer already addressed it. Simple annual inspections of the joints should point out any potential issues before they become problems.
Greg
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rerod
Iowa
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Thanks! The axle carrier or connection points to the aluminum trailer frame show no signs of Galvanic corrosion that I can see, yet. Makes me wonder what they were thinking or what method they used to slow the process. Even with rubber washers or paint, you still have a bolt connecting the two materials.
My project involves mounting two Standsbetween the I beams because first, I dont want to drill through the top only the centers. And second, only half of the mounting bolts would be to aluminum if I did that.
I need to add 4 cross pieces to mount the stands to as I dont trust the plywood to hold 1200 lbs of motorcycle.
So the best method would be to fabricate cross pieces from steel and bolt them in to the center of the I beam web with stainless bolts and maybe rubber or paint separating the steel from the aluminum? Or would welding 6061 pieces in be a better method?
From the fact featherlite drilled a 1" conduit hole in the center of these I beams.. Drilling more 3/8" holes might be the best bet maybe.
Thanks
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Galvanizd
Looking at the Mogollon Rim ...... For a bit.
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hmmm
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Galvanizd wrote:hmmm
Well?
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
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rerod
Iowa
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I just isolated the steel from the aluminum with multiple layers of electrical tape.
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Happy Prospector
The Great Sonora Desert
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My Aluminum horse trailer had heavy duty black 3M tape between the axles and the aluminum frame.
Kevin
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rerod
Iowa
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Happy Prospector wrote:My Aluminum horse trailer had heavy duty black 3M tape between the axles and the aluminum frame.
Kevin
Same here.. Except my axles join to a steel sub-frame first.
I hope that prevents any corrosion.
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