Ali trailer fixings

Just a quick question for the dudes with aluminium trailers... 

what fixings are used generally? 
 

my (new to me) ali trailer has what I'm presuming is high tensile bolts and U bolts, and a few stainless steel nuts and bolts. The high tensile bolts are rusting, and the stainless are reacting with the ali, generating a thick, strong, white oxide that is seizing the fixing to the ali. 
 

im going down the path of making new bunks and maybe shifting the axles, so I may as well change out the shit fixings. Just curious to see what those in the know are using. 


Posts: 285

Date Joined: 04/08/22

 Use some shit called Duralac

Thu, 2022-09-15 21:19

 Use some shit called Duralac between the different metals and the bolt holes ect and I would probably go for 316 stainless but not 100 percent on that.I cover all threads and nuts and stuff with lanolin spray,seems to build a pretty good coating against the elements 

Posts: 1086

Date Joined: 21/05/12

 +1 for duralac , but try the

Fri, 2022-09-16 06:30

 +1 for duralac , but try the Denso range of products

sea-kem's picture

Posts: 14965

Date Joined: 30/11/09

 Not a fan of duralac as it

Fri, 2022-09-16 06:47

 Not a fan of duralac as it hardens and you have trouble later with bolt removal, Ive been using silicon grease and imo a great product for this kinf of thing. 

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Brock O's picture

Posts: 3223

Date Joined: 11/01/08

You will be seeing galvanic

Fri, 2022-09-16 08:02

You will be seeing galvanic corrosion, the Ali is reacting to the stainless.

Use 1mm teflon insulation strips were possible, Denso is good as mention if staying with standard HS bolting.

Blackgold's picture

Posts: 68

Date Joined: 11/06/15

This is better than Duralac

Fri, 2022-09-16 12:25

I have a Ali boat used to use Duralac but this is the latest and best to use all good boat shops should stock it also RTM have it .need gloves when using very sticky but doesn't go hard called Tef- gel  

scotto's picture

Posts: 2470

Date Joined: 21/04/08

What about galv bolts?

Fri, 2022-09-16 14:12

I looked at my bosses qintrex trailer today, and all the bolts are plain galvanised.

 

I reckon they'd be fine? Would the galv react with ali worse than stainless?  

sea-kem's picture

Posts: 14965

Date Joined: 30/11/09

 To be honest mate I'd stick

Fri, 2022-09-16 15:50

 To be honest mate I'd stick with 8.8 HS galv bolts over stainless. I higher tensile rating and cheaper to replace, on the threads you can use copper anti seize or I just use Trefolex drilling paste, does the same thing. Double nut (nyloc and locking nut)  job done. 

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Posts: 1086

Date Joined: 21/05/12

 however the galvanic values

Fri, 2022-09-16 16:05

 however the galvanic values are higher between the zinc and ali  if i remember right sea-kem, but u are right - stronger cheaper -- plenty of denso