Road salt on frame

[Lisa Fingerlakes]

Hi All, We are thinking of taking our EggCamper to Arizona next winter for a month or so, maybe January. We have done much summer camping but keep the Egg in the shed for the winter (safe from road salt rusting the steel frame). I know lots of folks go places in winter but do you worry about the road salt eating the frame? We live in the north so it seems to be a worry, driving from our home to places where they don't have snow/salt. Wondering what others do about this...these fiberglass campers seem to have long lives so I want to take good care of the frame...thanks!

[mary and bob]

Best thing is to plan when you leave around the weather, go when the roads are clear and dry. However this did not work for us the last two years. We had reservations made so had to leave near the end of November from near Albany NY. Both times it snowed a little the night before. In the morning the road was clear but wet so we left home. Both times, 15 miles down the road there was no snow, road dry, but too late, truck and trailer were covered with road salt. Took me two days to find a car wash that I could fit the trailer in, gave truck and trailer a good washing, including underneath.

[Raz]

I have a tubular frame. Salt inside is a bigger concern. Outside can be washed off.

[mary and bob]

Originally Posted by Raz

I have a tubular frame. Salt inside is a bigger concern. Outside can be washed off.

Parts of our Uhaul's frame are tubular. Some owners have found sections rusted through.

[Raz]

Trillium mounts the rear frame on top of the front frame where the axle is bolted. Both ends are wide open with the body covering the upper. So far we have stayed home during salt season but if we ever decide to head south in winter I would try to close off the ends. As there is not much open north of Delaware until mid April, it most likely won't be an issue.

[mary and bob]

Raz, how about spraying some kind of anti-rust solution inside the tubular part of the frame. Maybe even old motor oil or penetrating oil.

[Paul O.]

I towed my Scamp several times along the heavily salted roads, on our spring trips from Vermont to various warmer locations. As soon as I was connecting to shore power and water, I sprinkled some on the underside to get the worst of the salt off. No, I was not "washing" the trailer, which is usually frowned upon.
As far as protecting the frame from rust, I bought a gallon can of WD40 and a garden sprayer and applied it to the frame and axle in summer after washing it well and letting it dry. Wherever I could, I sprayed it inside the tubular sections of the frame.

[Raz]

Of course after salt season comes mud season. It's five miles to pavement.

[cpaharley2008]

I believe the frame on an EggCamper is "I" shaped, like a railroad rail. Very easy to clean both sides.

[Wayne Collins]

All your washing and spraying will not get to every nook and cranny.
Let it rust. Even aluminum frames are susceptible to corrosion.
A better solution would be to have it undercoated when brand new.
The Best answer would be for the frame to be thoroughly cleaned and painted or powder coated before the body goes on. But even then they will be drilling holes for screws etc.

[Kai in Seattle]

Entropy always increases.

More reason why periodically these have to be refurbished. Same as anything else on earth.



BEST
Kai

[Ethan]

I use "Fluid Film" sold in Lowes, Auto Zone, ect. Do not have tt yet, but use it on two boat trailers. Their web site has a lot of info on product.

[Raz]

+1 good stuff.