aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Oct 18, 2017 15:28:08 GMT -8
Is there any reason why I can't use sheet metal on the front of my trailer to be a little more protective with dents and dings? I can bend it to match on a break and painting shouldn't be an issue.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 18, 2017 16:46:22 GMT -8
dissimilar metals and weight would be the two major down falls that come to mind.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Oct 18, 2017 17:42:39 GMT -8
dissimilar metals and weight would be the two major down falls that come to mind. Thanks. I might get a test piece and see how close they look when painted. The weight isnt a great factor. I've already noticed many places where I'm saving a lot of weight. For example the original bathroom door is super heavy. I'm going to rebuild that. Another one I noticed is that shelf above the dinette weighed a ton. I know it needs it for structure there but I can find something a lot lighter and just as strong. |
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Post by vikx on Oct 18, 2017 19:46:27 GMT -8
Aluminum doesn't marry well with steel or sheet metal. The aluminum can rot out rather quickly. If you want more protection, maybe a thicker piece of aluminum?
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Oct 19, 2017 14:37:13 GMT -8
Aluminum doesn't marry well with steel or sheet metal. The aluminum can rot out rather quickly. If you want more protection, maybe a thicker piece of aluminum? good point. This would be the galvanized type like ac duct. I know where the steel refrigerator vent is on the top the trailer when I removed and cleaned the old tape it was in good shape. Would the galvanized be different? Sorry I didn't point out that it was duct material instead of raw metal. |
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Post by vikx on Oct 19, 2017 20:59:11 GMT -8
I think the refrigerator vent was puttied, therefore not in direct contact with the aluminum??
Honestly, the worst skins I've seen have been from electrolysis. Most caused by dissimilar metals and reactions. One (made by boat builders) did not have a ground to the frame for the 110 system. So, the trailer skins acted as a ground and couldn't really do a good job. When you see white powdery patches and little bubbles in the skin, that's electrolysis or "cancer".
Also, the sheet metal I've seen used always has little rust spots. Roofing is a joke, 10 years at best, 3 or less at worst...
Do yourself a favor, and go with aluminum.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Oct 20, 2017 6:42:33 GMT -8
I think the refrigerator vent was puttied, therefore not in direct contact with the aluminum?? Honestly, the worst skins I've seen have been from electrolysis. Most caused by dissimilar metals and reactions. One (made by boat builders) did not have a ground to the frame for the 110 system. So, the trailer skins acted as a ground and couldn't really do a good job. When you see white powdery patches and little bubbles in the skin, that's electrolysis or "cancer". Also, the sheet metal I've seen used always has little rust spots. Roofing is a joke, 10 years at best, 3 or less at worst... Do yourself a favor, and go with aluminum. ok you've talked me into it. Yea I know about electrolysis, I worked for a boat dealership for 5 years. With boats ,and I assume it would work with campers also, we would install disconnect switches to break the circuit on the 12 volt side. The shore power side wasn't much of a problem because the circuit was grounded at the source and if you lost that chances are it would kill you so electrolysis wouldn't be a problem if you were dead. |
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Post by vikx on Oct 20, 2017 10:28:53 GMT -8
I don't think the boat electrician understood that an anode rod wasn't used on a trailer... We've never been able to discover what/who the company actually was; just that they built boats. The trailer is called a B & B out of Marysville, Wa.
Also, the trailer had no 12 volt system to begin with. There had been the addition of a partial system with a water pump and a couple of lights but the wires had been run after the trailer had been built. The propane refrigerator was an after market install as well. It didn't "fit" and there was water damage below and severe scorch marks at the chimney. Correct installs and clearances are SO IMPORTANT with a propane fridge...
There are quite a few B & Bs around here. I should try to discuss the electrical issue with the owners, might save their skins, literally.
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