Aluminum Rims On Snowmobile Trailer

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tyeeman

New member
Hey everybody, So I have a 5 year old 26' enclosed sled trailer. When we ordered it we chose to put some cool aluminum rims on it. The outer surfaces if you will are plain aluminum and the valleys between the spokes are painted metallic black, then the whole thing is clear coated.
Well, the clear coat, or some of it didn't last much more than a couple years. Now I see the black metallic paint is starting to flake off. It's like really?!
Is this a common thing on sled trailers, or could it be the rims I have are just cheap? Anyone else experience this?
So that begs the question, what to do next? Steel rims? Different brand of aluminum rim? Take the rims to a body shop and have them painted?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
tyeeman said:
Hey everybody, So I have a 5 year old 26' enclosed sled trailer. When we ordered it we chose to put some cool aluminum rims on it. The outer surfaces if you will are plain aluminum and the valleys between the spokes are painted metallic black, then the whole thing is clear coated.
Well, the clear coat, or some of it didn't last much more than a couple years. Now I see the black metallic paint is starting to flake off. It's like really?!
Is this a common thing on sled trailers, or could it be the rims I have are just cheap? Anyone else experience this?
So that begs the question, what to do next? Steel rims? Different brand of aluminum rim? Take the rims to a body shop and have them painted?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Plasti dip
 
T

Tracker

Guest
tyeeman said:
Hey everybody, So I have a 5 year old 26' enclosed sled trailer. When we ordered it we chose to put some cool aluminum rims on it. The outer surfaces if you will are plain aluminum and the valleys between the spokes are painted metallic black, then the whole thing is clear coated.
Well, the clear coat, or some of it didn't last much more than a couple years. Now I see the black metallic paint is starting to flake off. It's like really?!
Is this a common thing on sled trailers, or could it be the rims I have are just cheap? Anyone else experience this?
So that begs the question, what to do next? Steel rims? Different brand of aluminum rim? Take the rims to a body shop and have them painted?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

in my area I go to my local repair shop...AUTO DOC...and he has a company that took my rim...evaluated the damage...paid me 250 bucks for damaged one and gave me new one they restored....only paid like 150 for new rim...exact OEM rim....my rims were expensive (aka LINCOLN) and hard to find size and painted like yours with clear coat...now I just do that all the time for any rim...I will get name for you of said company I think they online too...give me a couple o hours
 
dfattack

dfattack

Well-known member
yes that has happened to me as well. I bought new "aftermarket" wheels to replace my out of warranty OEM wheels. I learned that OEM wheels don't have a very good clear coat process. My aftermarket wheels have been much better. I spoke with the vendor when I purchased the aftermarket wheels about my concerns and they were familiar with my complaint and said the wheels I"m purchasing would be better. Of course right??? :confused:

Anyway, they have held up much better than the OEM wheels and wanted to share with you that yes I've had that happen to me on more than one of my trailers. I have a 2010 legend enclosed and a ranger bassboat trailer. Both had problems with clear coat coming peeling off.
 
1

1fujifilm

Well-known member
tyeeman said:
Hey everybody, So I have a 5 year old 26' enclosed sled trailer. When we ordered it we chose to put some cool aluminum rims on it. The outer surfaces if you will are plain aluminum and the valleys between the spokes are painted metallic black, then the whole thing is clear coated.
Well, the clear coat, or some of it didn't last much more than a couple years. Now I see the black metallic paint is starting to flake off. It's like really?!
Is this a common thing on sled trailers, or could it be the rims I have are just cheap? Anyone else experience this?
So that begs the question, what to do next? Steel rims? Different brand of aluminum rim? Take the rims to a body shop and have them painted?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

I would say it is very common.
I buy a new truck each year and two things occur without fail no matter the brand;
-The wheels gets pitted in a few areas that cannot be removed by hand.
-The rear bumper begins to show rust/rail dust on it whether it is chrome or painted.
So yes, I would say some cheap aluminum wheels from China will definitely rust etc.

Bear
 
T

tyeeman

New member
dfattack - That's exactly what my trailer is, a 2010 Legend. From what I read in your post, this sounds like something that is just going to happen no matter what brand rims I buy. And if your experiencing that on your boat trailer, , they sure as heck aren't going to last too long on a sled trailer with all the different temps and salt that the wheels see.

Powder coating eh? Will that stay adhered to the rim? Will it expand and contract with the aluminum?

Whatever the rim manufacturers do for the automotive industry obviously are doing something right. I mean at least you get a bunch of years before the clear coat just starts to flake.
 
R

rv245

Member
One of the best things that you can do when the trailer is parked is get tire covers. I usually spray the trailer down after traveling with it. Then put tire covers on. It saves the tires and rims.
 
T

tyeeman

New member
Yeah I thought of that. I have them on my travel trailer but for some reason never got any for my sled trailer. Whenever I get this rim thing resolved that will be one of the first things I'm buying.
 
indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
rv245 said:
One of the best things that you can do when the trailer is parked is get tire covers. I usually spray the trailer down after traveling with it. Then put tire covers on. It saves the tires and rims.
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This, AND after washing spray WD40 or some sort of lubricant/protectant on the rims.
 
T

tyeeman

New member
Anybody have any experience powder coating aluminum rims? Will it last? I know powder coat is tough, it's the aluminum it's going on that concerns me.
 
yamadooed

yamadooed

Member
tyeeman said:
Anybody have any experience powder coating aluminum rims? Will it last? I know powder coat is tough, it's the aluminum it's going on that concerns me.
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They do aluminum rims all the time... If done correctly which is the key it will look better than new and outlast the factory powder coat or paint... If you can find a local shop you'll save in shipping and a even a few around here were running specials at $50 a wheel which is a good price...
 
T

tyeeman

New member
Thanks for the info yamadooed! I would think there would be a shop around the twin cities area that powder coats and is good at it. I'll start looking around, , got all summer to do it.

I sprayed the wife with DWI 40 once, she didn't like it that much.
 
S

sweeperguy

Active member
tyeeman said:
Thanks for the info yamadooed! I would think there would be a shop around the twin cities area that powder coats and is good at it. I'll start looking around, , got all summer to do it.

I sprayed the wife with DWI 40 once, she didn't like it that much.
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Hudson Wi. Cooterscoating.com I've used him. Excellent work, very affordable. Right guy right price! He does rims a lot.
 
T

timo

Well-known member
indy_500 said:
This, AND after washing spray WD40 or some sort of lubricant/protectant on the rims.
Click to expand...

right on with this.
Do this on my mower and snowblower when I put them away.
Been doing it on the under panels and doors of my 2000 silverado for 16 years. 16 years of wis. road salt and no rust what so ever.
 
U

UP RIDER

New member
I agree on the powder coat and not to highjack the thread but I use a 7x14 Pace enclosed utility for sleds, the tires were getting pretty checked and the white spokes rusty, so looked around on the net to see what I could find as far as some galvanized wheel and tire package. Couldn't believe what I found but long story short from Jet.com I got four 205x14 tires mounted on galvanized spoke wheels delivered to my door for $136. and change. Kept thinking I would be getting an email saying there was a problem or something but no.
 
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