Rusty trailer...

I've got an aluminum Trailex trailer that I use to haul around my AI. In spite of careful washing after each use, it's accumulated a lot of rust on the non-aluminum parts, as you can see in the pictures. I've taken everything apart and, internally, the hubs look great, but there's lots of rust on the outside of the hubs, and especially the leaf springs and bolts.

So, I'm just wondering what is the best way to minimize rust once a re-assemble it. Also, is there any alternative to leaf springs (they don't seem to make them in stainlesss)? It looks hopeless trying to keep those from rusting to pieces...

Be doing some inspecting and fixing of my trailer soon.  Did rinse as well as possible last year, but I'm sure there is some work cut out for me.

Don’t think you’ll find leaf springs made of stainless steel
But you could swap the U-bolts to SS as well as the mounting nuts and bolts on the front and rear of the springs
Could make future maintenance easier

Maybe instant cold galvanizing spray?

Are you launching your AI directly from the trailer or just using it to drive to the launch? If the former, maybe you could transfer the AI onto a separate smaller dolly or set of wheels to wheel to the water. Obviously not as convenient.

Get new springs and coat them in POR 15 just DO NOT get any on your hands unless don’t mind if they’re fir a few weeks. SS is more brittle then steel so I’d shy away for axle bolts.. there you could just POR them after assembly. Just make sure to follow the prep instructions to the letter as most paint failures are from bad prep work.

I would just hit those with some rust converter and then paint.  Maybe sandblast first if you really want, but I don't think that would be necessary.  They don't look that bad, honestly.  Check it again in a year or two. 

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I'd never heard of POR 15, but that looks like some powerful stuff--think I'll give it a try. I'll take a wire brush to the rusty parts first, and I also plan to replace the super-rusty bolts with stainless. Even if they are not quite as strong, the trailer is only rated for 220 pounds, while the axle is rated for 2,000 lbs, which seems like major overkill. Anyways, I can live with some rust on the hubs, but those leaf springs really bug me...

Oh, and I bought some bigger wheels (12" vs the standard 8"), and splurged, getting aluminum rims. So that's a part that won't rust.

NWM:
“ getting aluminum rims. So that's a part that won't rust.”

True, no “rust” but boy howdy can they oxidize- powder, pitting and grunge up when salt dipped regularly

Oh Shit!! I didn’t think to check if POR was California compliant…… wait I don’t think anything is California compliant!!!  😈 sorry couldn’t resist 😂

NWM:
“ getting aluminum rims. So that's a part that won't rust.”

True, no “rust” but boy howdy can they oxidize- powder, pitting and grunge up when salt dipped regularly

The trailer is aluminum, and it’s held up well. So, we’ll see about the rims…

Checked my trailex, looks nowhere near what NowhereMan's looks like.  .   Still plan on doing a good round of maintenance soon before the warmer weather comes.

I finally got all of the bolts off. It looks like those nylon bushings trap saltwater inside, and so it was not getting rinsed out completely. If you have a Trailex trailer, you might want to inspect this area carefully...

I finally got all of the bolts off. It looks like those nylon bushings trap saltwater inside, and so it was not getting rinsed out completely. If you have a Trailex trailer, you might want to inspect this area carefully...

Are those the shackle bolts for your springs?  Seems like for marine use, those should have been packed with grease during assembly, to keep water out. That's how I would reassemble, anyway.
 
PB Blaster and impact tools are your friend with rusty parts...

Out of curiosity, how old is that trailer, and do you back it all the way into the water when launching? Or is that just salty air exposure?

In February, I got everything taken apart, and managed to remove virtually all of the rust. Then we got snow, and our roof was damaged, and this went in the back burner—way into the back burner. 

I just recently got some time to work on it again, and I painted the parts that had rusted (POR 15) and got new bolts, etc., and even fabricated one replacement part that was damaged in disassembly.

I was just ready to reassemble when I noticed that the frame is damaged. It might be hard to see in the picture, but the one with the black gunk on it has the problem. It seems serious, as that’s where the leaf spring attaches. So, I’ll have to get some expensive parts from Trailex, with even more expensive shipping.

Bummer!

If both parts are aluminum? Would it be an easier fix to purchase a small piece of aluminum "L" bracket and weld for reinforcement. Not sure what needs to be accomplished, just guessing.