Trailer care
#3127211
03/07/23 11:07 AM
03/07/23 11:07 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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Hi I have an enclosed car trailer and have not done anything in the last five years other than wash it with car wash soap and hit it with a pressure washer. Was thinking about having it (detailed? ) but wasn’t sure what should be done or what I’m asking a detailer to do ? Wax it ? Rub it? . Not sure what the finish is and want make sure whoever is doing it has a clue . So I need a clue !! Gary
Last edited by Wirenut; 03/07/23 11:09 AM.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: Wirenut]
#3127228
03/07/23 11:56 AM
03/07/23 11:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,913 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,913
A collage of whims
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I treat my open trailer pretty much like a nice car, keeping it clean - pretty easy for me, as it mostly lives indoors except Summer, when it's covered outside when not in use. There's generally not a lot of paint on the enclose trailer panels, so a detailer shouldn't attack the painted areas like he would an old car. What it needs cosmetically depends on existing condition: paint smooth or not, aluminum cloudy or not... I'd start with a good look underneath to make sure it's decent, not rusty, and undamaged. Check welds & panel integrity, too. Wheel bearings, tires, electrical, power tongue jacks & such deserve an inspection and whatever servicing/attention they may need. Polishing the paint & aluminum, and having a good coat of wax on everything is a good idea, IMO.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: topside]
#3127253
03/07/23 01:08 PM
03/07/23 01:08 PM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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I treat my open trailer pretty much like a nice car, keeping it clean - pretty easy for me, as it mostly lives indoors except Summer, when it's covered outside when not in use. There's generally not a lot of paint on the enclose trailer panels, so a detailer shouldn't attack the painted areas like he would an old car. What it needs cosmetically depends on existing condition: paint smooth or not, aluminum cloudy or not... I'd start with a good look underneath to make sure it's decent, not rusty, and undamaged. Check welds & panel integrity, too. Wheel bearings, tires, electrical, power tongue jacks & such deserve an inspection and whatever servicing/attention they may need. Polishing the paint & aluminum, and having a good coat of wax on everything is a good idea, IMO. Thanks for the thoughtful response. I have maintained it mechanically, just think it’s looking a little dull . I’m thinking these panels may be powder coated ? Doesn’t look like paint, unless it’s some kind of thin baked on deal . Gary
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: Wirenut]
#3127266
03/07/23 01:30 PM
03/07/23 01:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,584 Motor City
6PKRTSE
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,584
Motor City
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I just wash mine with soap and water and power wash clean. As mentioned above the paint on the panels is rather thin. Best to not rub on them too much. Mine is a 2006 from Arizona, so it is showing some sun wear all over.
Last edited by 6PKRTSE; 03/07/23 01:31 PM.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute 1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack 1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi 1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383 1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440 1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4 2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4 2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: dvw]
#3127316
03/07/23 04:05 PM
03/07/23 04:05 PM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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Mine is a 2003. its sets outside thru snow, rain, sun. Theoutside was getting pretty dull.So I rubbed it last year. waxed it good. Took every screw out of the panels and replaced with new afterwards. If it's still pretty nice just wax it. The $25 drill master polisher from Harbor Frieght is the ticket. Buy 4-5 of the terry cloth covers for it. Wipe on Harbor Freight off. Stays nice. Washes way easier. Diesel soot doesn't stick to it. I also keep the tires covered out of the sun. Doug Thanks . Sitting home recovering from back surgery so thinking of getting a price for someone to do it this time around. I’m thinking like you said just a good waxing should do it
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: Wirenut]
#3127501
03/08/23 01:21 PM
03/08/23 01:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 530 SW CO
HemiSportFury
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 530
SW CO
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My trailer is an '02 that stays outside. Has been washed and waxed many times, but the last time I did it I compounded it before waxing. Made night and day difference.
Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea.
Last edited by HemiSportFury; 03/08/23 01:22 PM.
'64 Sport Fury, 528 Hemi, FiTech EFI, 4-speed, 4.10 Dana 60 '57 Belvedere 2dr sedan, current project in process '19 Cherokee Trail Hawk Elite '03 Ram 2500 CTD HO, 6-speed 214,000 miles and still going strong
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: HemiSportFury]
#3127638
03/08/23 09:10 PM
03/08/23 09:10 PM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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My trailer is an '02 that stays outside. Has been washed and waxed many times, but the last time I did it I compounded it before waxing. Made night and day difference.
Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea. Looks good . I have the sideways problem too!,
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: HemiSportFury]
#3128321
03/11/23 07:52 AM
03/11/23 07:52 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,965 Greenville, PA
redraptor
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,965
Greenville, PA
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Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea.
If the file is too large the board does funny things with them. Does anyone oil/undercoat their trailers that live in the rust belt? Typically race car trailers aren't used in the winter but I have occasionally used my open car trailer in bad weather. I know mine looks good on top but the underneath is showing it's age.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: Wirenut]
#3128439
03/11/23 02:23 PM
03/11/23 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,526 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,526
Omaha Ne
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My trailer is an '02 that stays outside. Has been washed and waxed many times, but the last time I did it I compounded it before waxing. Made night and day difference.
Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea. Looks good . I have the sideways problem too!, Open the pic, roate 90 degrees, save / close and post if possible I think putting them under a lean to would like do wonders and extend the life substantially. tarping may be another option
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: redraptor]
#3128537
03/11/23 06:34 PM
03/11/23 06:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,624 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,624
north of coder
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Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea.
If the file is too large the board does funny things with them. Does anyone oil/undercoat their trailers that live in the rust belt? Typically race car trailers aren't used in the winter but I have occasionally used my open car trailer in bad weather. I know mine looks good on top but the underneath is showing it's age. oil undercoat has worked wonders for my 99 caravan. it came from Arizona, and the only rust showing was on the lower part of both front fenders where the foam is stuffed in from the factory. i have oiled it up every year. when i get it done, i pull all the factory rubber plugs on the door pillars, as well as multiple 1/2" holes i drilled extra in the doors, gate, and dog leg areas. there are also multiple taped over plugs in the rockers from the factory. those are removed, and oil is blasted in there, saturating the factory foam. i also pull the tail lights and have the quarters blasted good. the underside is blasted as one would expect it leaks like a sieve when done, and is a little [?] messy to work on when needed, but if the rust monster is kept away [and has been for the last 8 or 9 years], it's well worth the expense and aggravation. i would recommend doing this to your trailer as well, even though it may not be used during the winter. just moisture in the air [humidity] can cause rust if there is not enough air circulation/towing down the road to dry it off. just one old guy's observation/opinion/life experience being thrown out there for discussion or dismissal. your mileage will vary.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: TJP]
#3128666
03/12/23 01:39 AM
03/12/23 01:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 349 West Central Wisconsin
DeMopuar
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 349
West Central Wisconsin
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My trailer is an '02 that stays outside. Has been washed and waxed many times, but the last time I did it I compounded it before waxing. Made night and day difference.
Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea. Looks good . I have the sideways problem too!, Open the pic, roate 90 degrees, save / close and post if possible I think putting them under a lean to would like do wonders and extend the life substantially. tarping may be another option If the trailer sits outside it would be really good to get tire covers to keep UV rays off of the rubber to help get a little more life out of the rubber. How many times have any of us seen travel trailers or any trailer beside the road with blowouts? I change my tires every 5 years no matter how much tread is on them as I don't want to change a tire on the interstate system anywhere.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: DeMopuar]
#3130732
03/20/23 08:02 AM
03/20/23 08:02 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
|
My trailer is an '02 that stays outside. Has been washed and waxed many times, but the last time I did it I compounded it before waxing. Made night and day difference.
Don't know why it came out sideways, but you get the idea. Looks good . I have the sideways problem too!, Open the pic, roate 90 degrees, save / close and post if possible I think putting them under a lean to would like do wonders and extend the life substantially. tarping may be another option If the trailer sits outside it would be really good to get tire covers to keep UV rays off of the rubber to help get a little more life out of the rubber. How many times have any of us seen travel trailers or any trailer beside the road with blowouts? I change my tires every 5 years no matter how much tread is on them as I don't want to change a tire on the interstate system anywhere. I do use the tire covers .
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: Aero426]
#3131181
03/21/23 05:30 PM
03/21/23 05:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,584 Motor City
6PKRTSE
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,584
Motor City
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I started using plywood also after I have had a couple of tire covers blow away on really windy days.
1963 Belvedere 440 Max Wedge Tribute 1970 Charger R/T S.E. 440 Six Pack 1970 Challenger R/T, 528 Hemi 1970 Charger 500 S.E. 440 4 BBL 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 383 1974 Chrysler New Yorker 440 1996 2500 RAM 488 V-10 4X4 2004 3500 Dually Cummins 4x4 2012 Challenger R/T Classic.
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Re: Trailer care
[Re: 6PKRTSE]
#3132409
03/26/23 10:35 AM
03/26/23 10:35 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630 Ct
Wirenut
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 630
Ct
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I started using plywood also after I have had a couple of tire covers blow away on really windy days. Hmm .
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