Picked up a Bantam BT3-C trailer. <<UPDATE 2017>>

[NOMADIC_LJ]

Got a good deal ($300) on a Bantam BT3-C trailer. Lots of rust underneath and the floor is pretty much shot. This was bought to haul my kayaks and camping gear. I figured I could get it sandblasted, maybe new floor (or just put wood) and still be ahead.

I got a few quotes to get it blasted and I'm getting prices between $600-$900 (just for the underside/axle/springs/frame). I though it would be $200-$300 tops, my mistake.

At this point I think I just want to stop the rust from getting worse and just enjoy the trail as-is. What would you guys recommend I use to stop the rust from spreading? Is there something I can apply or roll on that will inhibit any future rust from taking anymore of the metal?

At $300 I figure if I can get 3-4yrs use out of it I would be ok with that. It's also a cheap way to see if I like traveling with a trailer. If I do like it I may get something better in the future.

Thanks for any recommendations. Here are a few pics

 

[evilfij]

Wire brush and POR15 should get you quite a bit of time on that.

 

[sk8rjess]

POR15 has always been what i've heard is the best stuff you can buy. not only does it stop rust but it also seals. it can be pricey stuff though

 

[djaraceandrally]

A grinder with knoted wire wheel will make short work of that surface rust. I'd cut out and fit in new metal in the obvious holes, if you have the skills and tools to hand. Then id treat it with the por products. Rust converter, a decent primer and por15. Note - por15 is a Devil to get off your skin though!! And isnt uv stable, so maybe give top coat or duck oil it once in a while.

Nice trailer by the way. Sometimes i just went on to use mine, rather than rebuild!!

 

[NOMADIC_LJ]

Thank you so much for the comments so far. Looks like Ill be in the market for some POR15.

Two more question: How do I know if the metal is too far gone on the frame / springs & spring perches? I have these nightmares of me driving it down the fwy and it starts to come apart cause the metal has rusted away and broke apart.

The other is what type of respirator should I use while taking the rust off with a grinder and wire wheel for instance? I've heard the dust from the rust is some nasty stuff for your lungs.

 

[evilfij]

Frame and springs and hangers look ok to me, but poking with a screw driver should reveal any problems. The floor is the issue but that is not really structural like the frame. You do want to make sure the leafs move. Spraying with oil or similar may free them up, but worst case you need to disassemble and free them that way.

 

[tgreening]

Not sure if you have Home Depots up your way, but the ones around here rent just about everything. If you don't have those just about every town of any size will have tool rental places. A half day rent for a blaster and portable compressor will get that whole trailer done top to bottom, if you prepare ahead of time, and probably be within your initial guestimation on cost.

Por-15 is good. Ive used a lot of that stuff, but it's not a magic cure. Your best bet is your initial plan. Blast, treat, paint, do the happy dance for many years.

 

[djaraceandrally]

Id be wearing a quality face mask or respirator and safety glasses for sure. Old clothes/overalls and a decent set of leather gloves too.

As said, a good poke around with a screwdriver will soon find any holes. Again as said, if the springs and hangers are ok then its really worth freeing up the springs with either a good oiling or better bet, a strip down of the spings, clean up and put back together well greased up. Keeping them smooth will allow the suspension to flex and keep strain off the rest of the frame. Another good tip on keeping the frame going is applying a chassis wax or as is done over here, a good painting/spraying with old engine oil. Cheap, messy but despite what people say about old oil, ive never seen a rotten chassis where the engine/gearbox has been leaking on it (and trust me, old rovers leak!!). Just make sure you do it over a sheet, wear old clothes and wipe off any excess to save dripping on the roads

 

[tarditi]

I did my M100 with POR15 on the undercarriage and tongue and herculiner inside the tub. Regular rattle-can primer and paint on the outside tub. It's a 10' looker, but not rusting and works great now.
I got the POR15 floorpan kit.

https://goo.gl/photos/8EaXBq7KHF7HZmYu9

 

[steelhd]

Personally I would use mechanical means to remove lose rust and scale then use phosphoric acid (the active ingredient in naval jelly) to neutralize all the remaining rust. Then beat it up with a ball peen hammer to find any spots that should be cut out replaced. After that use any good quality chassis paint in accordance with manufacturers directions.

 

[XJSuperman]

Amen to all the replies above. Thats what Im doing on my Sears trailer. Blasted, coating with POR15, then POR15 Topcoat or Monstaliner.

 

[PCO6]

I've used POR15 on many projects including my trailer with good results. A little bit goes a long way and once you've opened the can you either have to use it all or carefully store what you don't use. Unless I'm doing a lot of painting in one shot, I open the can, pour it into smaller glass jars filled to the top and use them as I need them. There's a lot on line about the best ways to use POR15 and it's wise to read up on it before you start. If you just open the can, paint a few things and put the lid back on you may not be able to get it off again. If you can the paint will have likely hardened and become useless any way.

Here's how it turned out on my trailer ...
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/148123-PCO6-s-Trailer-Build

 

[NOMADIC_LJ]

So the tear down begins! I started by setting up a little work area. The lugs were tough to get off but were moving. I got one side off then came the other side... Snapped all 5 bolts on the left hub. I figured no big deal I can just get a new set of hubs. From what I've been researching, you can't get replacement hubs for these axles am I right? The few pieces of information it looks like you need to replace the axle completely.

 

[djaraceandrally]

Will the studs not drill/knock out?

 

[Buckshot62]

Not familiar with the TC3 but my M100 has left handed studs on the left side of trailer. If I understand correctly the shackles are also left handed on the left side of my trailer.Maybe something to check out since all of your studs sheared off on the same side.