Posted 2011-07-14 11:57 AM (#135630) Subject: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Harrodsburg, KY
A driving friend has a 2000, 26', slant load, 8' wide, 7'6" tall, custom Sundowner trailer for sale that fits a lot of my needs as a carriage driver. Despite it's age and current funk level it's had very little use, so with a little cleaning it could look almost new....except for the significant rust that appears to have developed only in the axle area of the trailer. I believe the axle is the only steel on the under carriage of the trailer.
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with rust on the axles and is this a significant problem? I am sure he will let me take the trailer somewhere and have it inspected in more detail, but I wanted to see if anyone had any initial feedback on this issue.
I also wondered about what a trailer like this is worth as I can't really find a comparison online. He's asking $13,500. It's very dirty and needs a power and acid wash, but the windows, doors, etc. are all tight, straight and everything seems to work.
Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures attached.
Posted 2011-07-14 8:19 PM (#135650 - in reply to #135630) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
There has been some issues where the frames had to be replaced on trailers like this. I have a 2002 and it doesn't look anything like that. I would suspect this is one that has more problems. It could be quite expensive to replace the frame. Does it have any features in the front area or is it just empty?
Posted 2011-07-15 8:28 AM (#135658 - in reply to #135630) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Harrodsburg, KY
The trailer frame is aluminum and seems to be okay. It's the axle frame that seems to be rusted significantly. The paint flaked off in big sheets to reveal solid rust. he said he had the bearings repacked about a year ago so in theory some maintenance has been done on it.
I checked my 2001 Exiss STC20 when I got home and it has some rust but nothing like what I saw on this one.
I wasn't going to pursue getting an inspection done if the price wasn't right so if anyone has any insight on that as well, I would appreciate it. The dr is an unfinished 2' short wall. It's very clean though. These 8' wide, 7'6" tall trailers with a ramp and are long but not too long seem to be difficult to find.
Posted 2011-07-15 10:15 AM (#135663 - in reply to #135630) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
It appears that by your pictures, that you have a Sunlite 720 trailer. This model is a very well built trailer, that has a great reputation as an LQ trailer. The axle boxes are made of steel, and were powder coated in the 2000 model year. The steel for those boxes are pretty thick walled, so in my opinion it would take a lot, to rust them all the way thru. If it was me, I would clean them up real well, and repaint them with a rust fighting primer. For your peace of mind, have it inspected by a trailer dealer. The price seems very fair for a 720 model trailer. Your exactly right; non-LQ 8' wide extra tall used trailers are extremely hard to come by. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.
Posted 2011-07-15 10:42 AM (#135665 - in reply to #135630) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Regular
Posts: 83
I agree. My valuelite frame looked much like your pictures. Mine was only surface rust, which looked aweful, but was easily prepped and recoated. Have a qualified someone look at how sound that steel really is. Like many of these trailer, most people are scared off by previous posts, see some rust under the trailer and pass. Although some of these trailers have had extreme rusting frame problems, many are surface rust issues that have inexpensive fixes. If you gather all the correct information before you purchase, many people are getting great deals on these trailers.
Posted 2011-07-15 6:49 PM (#135682 - in reply to #135630) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Well...even if they are well made and have thick steel...this issue undercarriage issue needs to be addressed...if this is NOT going to be a DIY project...take it to a good service center and have them blast it and repaint it
Posted 2011-07-19 8:52 AM (#135821 - in reply to #135630) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Regular
Posts: 83
If sound, I would think a rust converter and/or moisture cured urethane would do the trick, a "frame coating". I sanded what I could, then water blasted, and rolled/sprayed on 2 coats of moisture cured urethane. That was 2 years ago, and it still looks like I just did it. They are two thin coats. I got the urethane from a friend in the coatings business. I would think wise to talk to a coatings specialist/coating distributor to find the best product to use. Most of them will give you a recommendation to a product they have had good experiences with. I don't know that rhino liner is neccessary....but I'm no expert. I don't know of too many people spraying it on frames, but maybe. Don't know you need that thick of coating on a frame. You are trying to stop and protect the rust on the steel.
Posted 2011-07-19 9:37 AM (#135824 - in reply to #135806) Subject: RE: Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by To Much Trouble on 2011-07-18 5:51 PM
Would the Rhino lining stuff be a good fix for this delima ? ( after a clean up and possible sand blasting )
Sundowner used what they called "suncoat', probably something like Rhino liner and it peeled off the steel frames really bad. Got moisture behind it, blistered, peeled and bubbled off in sheets. Surface has to be really clean for these products to work well.
Sundowner Axle Rust Concern
