Brakes versus Salt Water

ggray · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 7:27 am Post subject: Brakes versus Salt Water

(I had trouble searching and seeing more than one page of results, so will ask my own question)

How thoroughly do the brakes need to be rinsed after being dunked? Should the wheels need to removed to get around the brakes better? Or just spray from the back side and through the wheel spokes? And I hear that Salt Away helps, too.

I've read that this needs to be done immediately after being immersed. If this can't be done "immediately" as there is no water at the ramp, does one carry a small garden sprayer with Salt Away solution to rinse it?

I've just had to replace both calipers and I don't want to do that again. At this time we don't really need brakes (just launch locally once a year), but we have thought about towing in the future, thus the brake repair.

Our launch ramp is at a dry storage marina next door. Until I saw how thick the forks or their lift were, I thought that might be a simple alternative, to do a "dry launch". But they said they could manage it by blocking the stern after setting the bow down on the front bunks of the trailer.

Does anyone launch this way? Any other suggestions for dealing with salt water would be appreciated! I've never had trailer brakes before.

thataway · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:12 pm Post subject:

If there is no water, then I do carry a garden sprayer (useful for other things, such as getting sand or mud off shoes, dog paws, etc.),

I have used "salt away" on occasion, but not always. Yes if possible spray immediately after launch--and thru the wheels and from behind as available.

DayBreak · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:43 pm Post subject:

When no water is available for a rinse, I use a one quart spray bottle that is filled with a 5% solution of Salt Away. I spray the brake components on the inside of each wheel and also the components through the wheel spokes from outside the wheel. I will use about 1/2 quart when doing so. I keep the bottle filled and ready in the truck cab if ever needed. What is nice about using Salt Away is that it leaves a thin film on the components to help protect the metal from future dunkings.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:29 pm Post subject:

A rinse down with fresh water will probably do wonders. But so will using your trailer....I wouldn't be shocked your calipers get stuck from just sitting and it happens all the time to all kinds of stuff....RVs, boat trailers, cars.....you name it. Sitting is bad.

-Waypoint- · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:34 pm Post subject:

For day trips I bring two 5 gallon buckets of water. Launch the boat, spray brakes down with Salt away, dump five gallons of fresh water on each side of the trailer. This is the key. Not many people do this because they can’t wait to take the boat out after launching. Salt water and baking in a hot parking lot creates rusted brakes! Use a cockpit water hose to rinse the brakes after the boat is back on the trailer.

ggray · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2022 7:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies; so there is hope!

I'll use a garden sprayer with Salt Away in the future...and try to find a water hose first if possible.

And I had realized that I needed to drive down the road a good ways after launch or recovery. My launch ramp is less than a mile away, too close!

Otherwise, does anyone here launch with a forklift?

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:21 pm Post subject:

I sometimes stop at the first freshwater lake launch and back in, start the motor for a bit, then go on my way. Actually faster than getting out the hose and ear muffs hours later at home. No question about the brakes being rinsed.

And I've always been concerned about trying to squirt water down the tubes of a galvanized trailer. I have an old trailer at the house that isn't road worthy, but used for my aluminum dinghy from the garage to the beach. It has holes rusted through from the inside of the tubes, but the outside looks fine.

ggray · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2022 8:17 am Post subject:

That's a good idea. Unfortunately, the only freshwater bodies around here are ponds, with no ramps!

drbridge · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:31 am Post subject:

In my Experience with salt water trailers it seems that once they are dipped in the salt they begin self destructing. you can slow it down by fresh water rinse and salt away and it is best to do so. Another step that I have found to be helpful is to take the trailer for a drive after rinsing and apply the brakes often during the drive to dry up the brake pads before you park the trailer. This is especially helpful before any long term storage. This helps prevent corrosion between the disc and pad that can lock up the brakes.

ssobol · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2022 4:16 pm Post subject:

Two Bears · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2022 7:59 pm Post subject:

I’m a bit confused. You only launch once a year, but you have rusted calipers. I assume then that the rust came from a previous owners use. There is no doubt half or full dozen launches each year into salt water will cause problems. What I’m not so sure about is how many launches a year without flushing you can get away with.

As a practical matter, when traveling I found few launch ramps with a functioning wash system. Locals may know how to find a local car wash or something, but when far from home you are #&*. Several times I found a fresh water pond/lake/river within a day, but some times not, so I ended up driving the several thousand miles home arriving in winter, so just parked it and prayed. It lasted 10 years and the inspection when I sold did not show anything more than that they weren’t new.