Hey everyone. So I just bought a 1900 Sundowner aluminum stock combo with a tack room. How do I know if it has an aluminum frame or if it's steel? I know steel rusts, however there is no rust under the floor of the trailer, but there is some rust on the coupler and the framing under the neck. I didn't know about aluminum to steel being an issue until a recent thread I came across. Thanks in advance.
Posted 2019-02-26 2:22 PM (#172222 - in reply to #172221) Subject: RE: 1990 Sundowner 4 horse/stock combo frame
Elite Veteran
Posts: 785 Location: Tenn/Ala.
I assume it is a 1990, not the 1900 you also mention. :) In 1990, Sundowner made steel trailers and aluminum trailers, but no steel frame. So you should easily be able to determine the difference. Even with an aluminum trailer, there will be some steel in the neck area and around the axles. And yes- this may need touching up from time to time.
Yes- aluminum in contact with steel is chemically a problem. But very seldom a problem in trailers as they are built with some type of barrier between the two. The steel framed Sundowner problems are not generally the result of that particular characteristic. Those were available 1997-2009.
Posted 2019-02-28 1:31 PM (#172226 - in reply to #172221) Subject: RE: 1990 Sundowner 4 horse/stock combo frame
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Stainless steel is a steel alloy made up of several ingredients. To make it corrosion resistant, nickel and molybdenum are added. The more that is added, the less resistant it is, to be a magnetic attraction. Inexpensive stainless is often used for many interior trim applications, whilst not being subjected to exterior weather conditions. Boat, marine and aircraft applications have more serious exposures to corrosion, and are generally made of melds with higher moly and nickel contents.
These alloys have little attraction to a common magnet. Lesser quality stainless will attract a magnet and can actually rust if exposed to an exterior situation. For instance, a quality fridge stainless panel will not attract a magnet, whilst a lesser quality product will. Inexpensive products are generally less resistant to corrosion and rust. The more they are attracted to a magnet, the less corrosion resistant the alloy offers. If you see a stainless fridge covered with travel magnets, you can assume the panel was built for looks and not corrosion resistance.
1990 Sundowner 4 horse/stock combo frame
