Is this rust significant?

[Brattle]

Is this rust significant and if so, what's the best way of addressing it?

 

[nwminnesota]

Is it easy to poke holes through it? With screw driver? The make thickness detectors to see how thick it is. Grind off rust repaint and keep on it if thickness is good.

 

[Threebutchers]

If it were mine, I'd hit it hard with the wire brush.....check the remaining density. If the welds are tight, I would be too concerned with up to 50% density loss. Soak it with rust inhibitor then a rust inhibiting topcoat.

Beyond 40-50% density loss (or if welds are compromise)... I'd have a professional look at it.

 

[Seann45]

A wire brush on your drill to remove all the loose stuff. Then paint over it with POR15 (paint over rust 15) then paint over the POR15 as it is not UV stable

 

[Brattle]

It's for sale and I don't think the owner would be too keen on my probing it to learn more about it's integral strength.

Was hoping to learn by someone's experience how significant this type of damage is.

Is this where the load is carried from the car's towing ball to the trailer chassis?

It's also the only area on the frame that has rust, could something have happened that would compromise the frame?

 

[Ustabslim]

It has serious cancer. I would stay away.

 

[wwsmith111]

it has serious cancer. I would stay away.

x2. Run!!!

 

[Brattle]

What would cause it to rust only in that area, something with the tow bar the angle leads to??

Interestingly, some post to fix it and some post to run.

The camping part of the trailer is truly scrap, the intent is to use the frame for a home made camping trailer teardrop style.

 

[Crabman]

If its cheap it should be fixable with some angle iron welded to the good medal covering up the rusted area. I did that with an old boat trailer, just beefed it up around the rusted area with the angle iron. That was at least 15 years ago and I`m still using that trailer...

As for what caused it to rust only in that area I`m guessing water collected there for some reason.

 

[Seann45]

You didn't say before that it was for sale.. I would pass on it.. that amount of rust makes it not worth while. IF you already owned it and were trying to save it that is different but since you have no money in it now then avoid it.. IT WILL BE A MONEY PIT

 

[ctbailey]

The 4x8 trailer frame from harbor freight would be a better choice to build a tear drop onto.

 

[namusmc65]

Is it possibly close to the battery box? Could a battery have been boiled over or turned over and spilled???? If so, it should be confined to the local area.

 

[Plowtoy]

If the price is right, and your just going to strip it and build on it anyway, I think I would buy it. You can expect to have some cutting and welding done to repair the bad spots, but other than that, it's probably perfactly useable. Im not sure I'd pay more than $100 for the whole unit. If the tires are new, maybe a little more, but your only buying the frame, axle and tires...

 

[Brattle]

I opted to pass on it.

The lights and tires were equally dismal. One wheel was in dire need of a bearing adjustment.

Deemed it unsafe for the 38 mile ride home after easily probing through a rusty area shown in the photos.

The last thing I'd want is a runaway trailer on the highway with a tow bar and safety chains still attached to the car. That's a frightening thought.

I still don't understand why only that area was affected. It's where the tow bar is welded to the frame... what action would only compromise that area? I don't think it was just trapped water as it was open to drain on the side not seen in the posted pictures.

Thanks for the insights.