Trailering in Winter

[Perlmudder]

So I have a question. We need to tow the boat about 30 miles from outside of Buffalo to a barn near our cottage in Crystal Beach on December 20th. The boat is getting some warrenty work done at Olson Brothers Marina. They are fixing the gel coat chipping (posted a thread on oso about it a couple months back). It sits on a painted steel Eagle trailer. I am worried the salt and other crap on the roads will do a number on it if it sits all winter covered in it. Also it might do something to the gel coat I would imagine. Anybody have any ideas about how to clean it off? I don't think there is a hose in the barn, so we would have to bring our own water. I was thinking maybe washing it off at the cottage before trailing it over to the bar (about 5 miles), but that seems kinda pointless because it will just get dirty again.

So, whose got some ideas or suggestions on things to do?

Thanks guys!

 

[insanity]

Move south! Just kidding! Lots of jugs of water, some soap and some towels. A soft bristle brush and work from the top down. Something that would probably work good to spray the water to wash the soap off would be a pumpable pesticide/bug sprayer like you can get at Home Depot or Lowes since you won't have access to a hose to spray the water.

 

[BradB]

Spray the trailer with WD-40 before you leave home.... never tried it but seems like a good idea

 

[Davidmnc]

We spray out motors with WD40 several times a year to fight corrosion from slat air/water. It works very well, but I have never tried it on a trailer. We all use galvanized trailers.

 

[fund razor]

Probably not practical to shrink wrap for a short ride.

What about some kind of quick fabricated shield on the front of the trailer to deflect some of the yuck? Even cardboard or something. Plastic maybe.

 

[BGIII]

Hope like hell the weather clears up sometime between now and December 20 and get it out there that day while the roads are dry. That's how I moved mine in the winter. Works best if it rains first and then dries up for a few days. Makes the cleanup 1000 x's easier. Salt spray gets everywhere.

 

[Perlmudder]

hmm good suggestions guys. what if we washed it down as best we could when we got to the barn, and then sprayed wd40 on the trailer? would that do anything?

 

[Perlmudder]

Probably not practical to shrink wrap for a short ride.

What about some kind of quick fabricated shield on the front of the trailer to deflect some of the yuck? Even cardboard or something. Plastic maybe.

maybe some tire bags going from the trailer to the bow or something would work?

 

[Perlmudder]

i am worried that even if we get most of the crap off of the trailer, it will still have it inside the wheels and rims and on the underside of the trailer...

 

[ar15meister]

only 5 miles? Wrap it in a tarp and tie it down or tape it.

5 miles aint far at all.

 

[ar15meister]

than wash it all with a brush and wipe it down.

Road salt is nasty chit

 

[Audiofn]

My brother trailers his race boat (sailing) a lot in the winter. What he has found works the best is to take just the raw soap and put it on with a roller on everything. Then when he gets were he is going he just hoses it off or leaves it on tell it goes in the water. Seems to work well. They make those mud flap deals that go around your trailer hitch that work wonders as well.

 

[RichL]

My brother trailers his race boat (sailing) a lot in the winter. What he has found works the best is to take just the raw soap and put it on with a roller on everything. Then when he gets were he is going he just hoses it off or leaves it on tell it goes in the water. Seems to work well. They make those mud flap deals that go around your trailer hitch that work wonders as well.

I like Audiofin's idea. Once you hose it off, dry it well. When it's completely dry spray everything on the trailer with the WD 40. It'll take time to dry but will protect the trailer for the winter. I do this every year since ours is normally stored outside. Just wipe it off in the Spring with an old towel.

 

[BUIZILLA]

body shops spray on a clearish protectant that washes off when they are done, that's what i'd use

 

[fund razor]

only 5 miles? Wrap it in a tarp and tie it down or tape it.

5 miles aint far at all.

At 1 mph, it would only take you 5 hours and it would be perfectly clean. You could walk alongside with a beer.

 

[Sea-Dated]

At 1 mph, it would only take you 5 hours and it would be perfectly clean. You could walk alongside with a beer.

I don't think they can give you a DUI if you are walking next to the truck either.

 

[Davidmnc]

At 1 mph, it would only take you 5 hours and it would be perfectly clean. You could walk alongside with a beer.

Now there is a winning plan!

 

[fund razor]

Yeah... tell the Mounties that it is a really small maritime parade. Dudley may give an escort.

 

[BY U BOY]

At 1 mph, it would only take you 5 hours and it would be perfectly clean. You could walk alongside with a beer.

or 30uke:

 

[ar15meister]

you guys are jerks.:sifone:

Tarp it!! Cant be that hard with a small boat.


Better yet, use plastic sandwich rap.

The boat isnt THAT big, 2-3 rolls of sandwich wrap is fine.