Trucks & Trailers - Discovered secret of taking care of salt water trailer brakes ...

WD-40

After a Salt Away rinse ... let'em dry out ... and coat EVERYTHING on brake system with WD-40 ... yes Clyde, even the disks ...

Leaves a protective film that keeps the rust away ... the film is so light it vaporizes the first time I hit the brakes ... I have over 30 launches last year ... all salt water, all over Florida ... the brakes look and perform like new ...

10,500# boat, fueled and geared up on a tri-axle LoadMaster w/ Rhino system installed a year ago ... when I suggested this last year (when it was told to me), the concern on here was loss of braking from the lubricant ... result: no braking loss

I coat all my electrical on trailer, under helm and I take the cowlings off and coat the engines too ... you can see the brakes on here ... Boats for Sale ... Classic 1988 Mako 285-B

I was told to do the exact same thing by the guy who runs the hitch shop here in town. He said not to intentionally get it on the ceramic pads but coat everything else. He (like you) said WD40 would immediately wear off of the discs.

Congrats...I have been doing it to my brakes for 2 decades. It doesnt matter---if you have Tie Down, they will rusted out and be dead after 2 years. :banghead: Kodiak SS brakes and you'll never go back! :thumbsup:

WD-40 = ok. Corrosion X = better.

Been using it for years on all of my trailers and brakes. folks used to laugh at me but when they see a 10 year old trailer that still looks new and little to know brake issues, etc they stop laughing. Plus it is cheap.

I should not have to spray anything on a trailer designed for saltwater use.

Build it with cheap shit or build it right. Please only do it once.

I should not have to spray anything on a trailer designed for saltwater use.

You folks up there do seem to live in a different world ... :thumbsup:

Corrosion X = better, and much more expensive ... ;)

I should not have to spray anything on a trailer designed for saltwater use.

Build it with cheap shit or build it right. Please only do it once.



Ummmmmm. I have all stainless components including all U bolts, nuts, fasteners, LED lights, Kodiak discs, etc etc etc and think you would be an idiot not to maintain your trailer. SPend $6K on a 26' trailer and it will make you think about you take care of it.

Good info in this thread.. I pride myself on good maintenance and will add some of this to my quest to keep it working and looking new!

Thanks... :tht_rulez:

When I bought my first new rig ('86) the dealer told me to flush the motor after each use. Then, remove the cowl and spray wd-40 lightly over the entire motor. Spray some on a rag and wipe the cowl down. Spray some more over the tilt/trim...

9 years later, I sold that rig and there wasn't a bit of corrosion or rust on it. Even tho it was used exclusively in salt water..I also suffered no strange electrical or other issues..

But some will come on here and tell you all the rubber and electrical will disintegrate using wd-40...guess what...they're wrong!!

I still use the stuff for everything..but I have added Corrosion X heavy duty to some outside parts of the motor..

MaxCaptain,
I am very interested in using adopting your wd-40 theory for brakes. But I am still concerned about the affect that it will have on brakes ability to stop. How do you really know if your brakes are working well? Also, is corrosion guard or corrosion X just as or better than wd-40? Thanks.

MaxCaptain,
I am very interested in using adopting your wd-40 theory for brakes. But I am still concerned about the affect that it will have on brakes ability to stop. How do you really know if your brakes are working well? Also, is corrosion guard or corrosion X just as or better than wd-40? Thanks.

Scotter,

The guy who owns the hitch shop (40 yr experience) where I had my e/h brakes added suggested the same thing. He said dont get it on the pads intentionally but it would immediately burn off when the brakes are deployed.

How about Fluid Film? Does anyone use it? I use it on snowplows, truck parts, etc. and it is fantastic. Just wondering if anyone uses it. www.fluidfilm.com

How about Fluid Film? Does anyone use it? I use it on snowplows, truck parts, etc. and it is fantastic. Just wondering if anyone uses it. www.fluidfilm.com (http://www.fluidfilm.com)


correct link..


http://www.fluid-film.com/ :thumbsup:

For y'all with the 10 year old trailers/breaks in great condition...Do you rinse and spray down the trailer (brakes) immediately after launching the boat? Or several hours later after loading the boat?

WD-40 works great on leaf springs too. It will creep from one side to the other, so you know it gets between the leafs. My 3rd set of leaf springs on my 1997 trailer are holding up very well compared to the 1st two sets.

I should not have to spray anything on a trailer designed for saltwater use.

Build it with cheap shit or build it right. Please only do it once.

There are only 2 things saltwater won't f#ck up... saltwater, and fish.

There are only 2 things saltwater won't f#ck up... saltwater, and fish.


:thumbsup:

I bring a large jug of water and rinse hubs, & brakes after I dunk it.

I just bought a big Dodge truck, I don't need no stinking trailer brakes.