Let's talk about trailers

Bob Ware

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Rather long winded background to get to my question.
Bunk support brackets specifically. My old galvanized trailer is at the point where repair is almost as expensive as buying a new aluminum one so we're about to pull the trigger.
We've narrowed it down to two local shops and visited with each yesterday. Construction is only slightly different between the two and cost is identical.
The one difference between them is the bunk support brackets. One uses aluminum and the other galvanized. The shop using galvanized said they switched from aluminum because they would become loose over time causing the bunk to drop. No such report from the second shop.
Of note though is the shop using the galvanized has been in business 60 years and sells hundreds (maybe thousands) a year whereas the other is a small shop selling maybe 100 a year.

Anyone have experience with using the aluminum brackets or your thoughts on why they would not hold tight?

I'd like to use the larger shop but the galvanized brackets mean more maintenance in the long run. I've replaced those things a couple times on my old trailer.

Appreciate you help with this.
 
Exactly what is galvanized and how is it attached. It's just that bolting gal to aluminum sounds like the perfect combination to cause galvanic corrosion (electrolysis)
 
I can think of no reason for aluminum brackets to loosen over time. I assume that they are using SS nuts and bolts.

Years ago I had a roller trailer and if memory serves me the brackets were aluminum. In fact most of the trailer was aluminum.

George
 
The galvanic corrosion is one concern. The other is any nick in the galvanize opens it up for rust, which will likely happen when the brackets are bolted to the cross members.
The part that galvanized in the small bracket which is attached to the bunks. The brackets are attached to the aluminum cross members using stainless u-bolts. These brackets and the axles are the only non-aluminum parts on the trailer.
 
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