Corrosion poses a significant risk to trailer safety, gradually weakening the structure and leading to potential failures. Understanding the impact of corrosion is important for maintaining your trailer's longevity and reliability. In this blog, we explore the dangers of corrosion, its causes, and practical prevention strategies to ensure your trailer remains safe and roadworthy.
Taking steps to prevent trailer corrosion is critical for improving the useful life and productivity of the trailer, and it can also significantly impact road safety.
Corrosion can weaken a trailer's structural components, including the frame, chassis, and load-bearing parts. When the load-bearing capacity is compromised, cargo stability suffers. If the trailer can’t support the load, the domino effect is a risk that the cargo shifts or falls off the trailer. Shifting cargo and structural failures can lead to accidents on the road.
Another critical factor regarding trailer roadway safety is the reliability of the brake system, which can be compromised when the trailer becomes corroded. Corrosion can damage the brake lines, connectors, and other components, which can reduce braking efficiency or even lead to their complete failure.
As discussed in a previous post, trailer lights and other electrical systems are essential to providing adequate
visibility to other drivers. Accidents occur when corrosion causes malfunctions that prevent drivers from seeing the trailer.
The hitch and coupling mechanisms that connect the trailer to the towing vehicle are also subject to corrosion. If these components fail and the trailer detaches from the vehicle while in motion, severe accidents can occur.
Regular preventative maintenance checks should be performed on trailers to identify and fix potential safety issues. In addition, trailer manufacturers and owners can take a big step toward reducing corrosion, especially galvanic corrosion (the corrosion caused by the direct contact of dissimilar metals), by applying Eck Complete Corrosion Protection to all your metal trailer components, including fasteners. Eck creates a barrier between metals, seals out moisture, and absorbs natural corrosive energy caused by dissimilar metals. The benefits of Eck are discussed in greater detail in a previous blog post.
Corroded trailers are at risk of failing required safety inspections, which could lead to non-compliance with safety standards should the trailer continue to be used. This can lead to fines, legal issues, and the potential grounding of the trailer.
To raise awareness of safe trailering practices, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) sponsored National Trailer Safety Week, June 2 to 8. For more information on safe trailering, including several blog posts, new products, and more, please see our dedicated NTSW web page.
