Aluminum Trailer Storage Question

[Beltzington]

I have an aluminum 16-foot car hauler I may use six times per year. For the last two years it has set outside in the wx and while cleaning it recently I did notice some new corrosion. I do not have indoor or covered storage for it and was wondering if I should start putting a tarp on it or just leave it exposed? My gut feeling is the moisture trapped under the tarp will cause more corrosion then leaving it exposed to the elements but would like to hear your thoughts. TIA

 

[Border Rat]

If the corrosion is white it is the difference of salt content between different
aluminum alloys. If there is rust . .it is typically Iron / steel against aluminum . .a very destructive combination. WD-40 slows #1 .. . Nothing I know of slows #2. I have seen 1/4 bolts corrode away in 2 yr's in the 2nd environment. But the college kid engineer's always try it . . . 1 time.

 

[Combustix]

I would not tarp it but maybe build some kind of fram around it that you can tarp, that way air will circulate around it. As Border Rat mentioned if it's got rust, not much you can do. For white I would keep an eye on it. I work in the marine industry and you can just scrape or wire brush of and apply some light oil. Or just a good fresh water rinse every now and then

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you can not get it under cover of a garage I would leave it out without a tarp. Moisture trapped would accelerate the corrosion.

Chris

 

[bigdad]

I know it's work........... wax?

 

[B8FISH]

what about the drive thru/self service car wash--use the wax setting after last use??