About Galvanised Trailers
Steel trailers are built with strength and durability for our tough
Australian conditions. Similarly, shipping containers are constructed with
durable steel rather than aluminium to withstand transportation, various
weather and saltwater conditions. To further protect steel trailers, many
trailers undergo a galvanising process to create galvanised trailers.
Once manufactured, the galvanising process involves immersion of the steel
trailer into a bath of 450 degrees Celsius of molten zinc. This process coats
the steel with a thick, tough, metallurgically bonded zinc envelope, then dries
to form what you see, protecting and acting as a barrier. Galvanising performs
an invaluable service of prolonging the life of steel by up to eighteen times
that of bare steel.
No other protective coating for
steel provides durability and predictable performance. Galvanising protects the
steel from slowly rusting and oxidising. The process also renders the trailer
immune to ultraviolet radiation, therefore, the trailer will not degrade from
exposure to Australia's
harsh and high UV index.
The Appearance
of Hot Dipped Galvanising
Hot dipped galvanising is an industrial coating, not a cosmetic or aesthetic
one. Galvanised trailers are often characterised by a ‘spangled’ appearance in
different shades of grey. The appearance of the coating can also vary between a
shiny, dull, rough or smooth surface. Despite the potential varying appearance,
the galvanising protective coating is intact around the steel.
Swiftco galvanised trailers are
designed to be open-framed, not only protecting the exterior but also the
interior steel frame from rust.
The hot dipped galvanising
process is extremely efficient in protecting against rust and oxidation.
However, as with any vehicle, some basic maintenance is required to ensure the
longevity of 20-30 years.
How
to Maintain your galvanised steel trailer
While hot dipped galvanised trailers are common choices for box and boat
trailers, they are often not maintained properly. Swiftco trailers all come
with a complimentary Lanox treatment to further protect the galvanising.
However, we suggest repeating this Lanox (or similar alternative) treatment
every six months. When storing your galvanised steel trailer, make sure to keep
it in an area protected from the environment.
You should also ensure its
location permits airflow rather than an enclosed humid environment. We suggest
avoiding parking your trailer under a tree where damp leaves can fall and
remain, nor near an open downpipe where grey water will continually splash on
the trailer. These damp environments can result in producing a powder-like
substance referred to as white rust. Where possible, you should also consider parking
your trailer on an angle so any dampness, dew and condensation can drain out of
the hollow sections.
Boat trailers are often submerged into salt water, meaning they are
susceptible to corrosion if not properly cared for. It is absolutely essential to
wash your galvanised boat trailers down with fresh water after exposure to salt
water. By allowing salt water to penetrate your trailer, it will diminish the
protective coating of the galvanising. Use a hose to completely flush the
entirety of the trailer, paying particular attention to all hollow sections of
the frame to prevent salt from accumulating inside. We recommend avoiding using
an abrasive cleaner.
If you are using your galvanised
steel box trailer for organic waste, soil, lawn or garden waste, the water and
dampness of the load can be corrosive. Make sure to always clear and clean your
box trailer as quickly as possible rather than allow such items to be left in
the trailer leaching away at the galvanising.
What
to do If your galvanising surface is damaged
Cathodic protection of galvanised
steel helps to ensure that any steel that is damaged, either through accidental
abrasions or small impacts (3-5mm in size), are protected by the surrounding
galvanised coating. However, if your hot dipped galvanised coating is further
damaged, the protection of the steel trailer needs to be restored. You can use
a cold gal spray (available from Swiftco Trailers) to touch up the area and
help protect any other affected areas. This is the quickest and most convenient
method of repair. All you need to do is apply two coats, ensuring this process
is done as soon as possible after any damage to assist with protection from
oxidation of the steel.
Want
to Know More About Galvanised Trailers?
If you would like to know more
about purchasing galvanised trailers or protecting your galvanised trailer,
please get in touch with Swiftco Trailers. Our trailers all have an
industry-leading 5 year warranty, and we offer repairs and a wide variety of
trailer parts.
