Im just curious if anyone does anything special as far as care of trailers with a box frame.  There are things I like about them but there are things I don't. Things like having no idea what the internal condition of the steel is. Any thoughts?

I don't. I would hope there are enough drain holes in the frame to not have to worry about it.

20 hours ago, slonezp said:

I don't. I would hope there are enough drain holes in the frame to not have to worry about it.

Thanks for the reply. I guess best thing for me to do is make sure all the holes are clear.  

There's a reason why top end boat and boat trailer manufactures no longer sell box frame trailers.  Most are using I beam or channel beam construction for 2 reasons.

i) it will not hold moisture and or water

ii) you cannot paint (protect) the inside of a box frame, so it will rust regardless.

If this is something you're keen on protecting then I would recommend getting it sprayed with an oil type rustproofing.  Being from Canada, where our vehicles are constantly under attack from salt and moisture caused by condensation, there are several rust proofing technologies.  Rust Check is the one I prefer.  Also, I'd recommend it be applied every year for the first 3, then every second yr after that.

 

 

6 minutes ago, Puggz said:

There's a reason why top end boat and boat trailer manufactures no longer sell box frame trailers.  Most are using I beam or channel beam construction for 2 reasons.

i) it will not hold moisture and or water

ii) you cannot paint (protect) the inside of a box frame, so it will rust regardless.

If this is something you're keen on protecting then I would recommend getting it sprayed with an oil type rustproofing.  Being from Canada, where our vehicles are constantly under attack from salt and moisture caused by condensation, there are several rust proofing technologies.  Rust Check is the one I prefer.  Also, I'd recommend it be applied every year for the first 3, then every second yr after that.

 

 

I appreciate the advice.  I'll look into some options.  It looks like I'd have to take a heck of a road trip to the nearest rust check dealer unfortunately. Hopefully I can find something comparable a little closer. 

5 minutes ago, Ski213 said:

I appreciate the advice.  I'll look into some options.  It looks like I'd have to take a heck of a road trip to the nearest rust check dealer unfortunately. Hopefully I can find something comparable a little closer. 

You should be able to DIY.  When they do a car they drill several small (1/4"?) holes at the top of any hollow panel and door and then they spray the product inside. Its best to apply it during the summer when its hot so the product can creep into all the little nooks and crannys...lol  Then they plug the hole with a plastic cap/plug. 

You may be able to find this stuff online.  You want something that is a Water Displacer (IE WD-40) with a rust prohibitor.

 

8 minutes ago, Puggz said:

You should be able to DIY.  When they do a car they drill several small (1/4"?) holes at the top of any hollow panel and door and then they spray the product inside. Its best to apply it during the summer when its hot so the product can creep into all the little nooks and crannys...lol  Then they plug the hole with a plastic cap/plug. 

You may be able to find this stuff online.  You want something that is a Water Displacer (IE WD-40) with a rust prohibitor.

 

I appreciate it. I'll see what I can come up with. I'm not having any problems yet but I have with other trailers in the past. 

I have a 1988 box frame boat trailer with no problems, but it's only 28 years old with well over 1000 launches.

4 minutes ago, RFSims said:

I have a 1988 box frame boat trailer with no problems, but it's only 28 years old with well over 1000 launches.

I'm hoping I have luck similar to what you've had. I'm not bashing the box frame, just trying to make sure there's not something that I should be doing that I'm not.