How do you prevent trailer connector contacts from corroding

Karl Konecny

I'm still fairly new at boating in salt water and have a question: what is the best protocol for preventing trailer connector contacts from corroding? I'm having issues with intermittent connections to my trailer that appear to be caused by corrosion.

drbridge · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:07 am Post subject:

I spray some of this stuff on mine when they act up and it seems to do the job. Always make sure you have a good ground to the trailer too.
https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05103-Electronic-Cleaner-11/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=sr_1_3_pp?crid=1FYDWL3FHLPOW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.v4SmyrvDSkglCVs2m1kax1mGsY5XjBLgKfEldhk55DbTg2O99RspWgUCShow5eI9OYggnYkWkyXIVUOnr4mzC34leAkq-fGyTt0qhe_m6GufP8jjnO3gcJF-1lwfn-luQlVeigwLWU9w19lvxJIx0pO4BeXeIfkLaYpfy-0C4IA6Zfj-PR6MbUn2gN_BL5h5h2LSy7yhcYYBomcRqHR47eJR-RmOor_lieTCrPsH01s.8FKylFL7H92eaVfHXceXvLfOplrJ4ibMIvHYdy2vbTM&dib_tag=se&keywords=crc+electronic+cleaner&qid=1710860687&sprefix=crc+ele%2Caps%2C306&sr=8-3

srbaum · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 12:41 pm Post subject:

Silicone grease. It’s synthetic, won’t damage plastic or rubber products and is a dielectric.

-Waypoint- · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:20 pm Post subject:

I second the importance of a good ground. I chased bad grounds last year on my trailer. Found out that the wiring was corroding under its insulation only getting 7 volts to the back of the trailer. Trailer is only 4 years old. I replaced all my wiring with heaver gauge tinned marine wiring, problem solved.

Not cheap at $1/ft. Having lighting issues before going to the ramp could wreck a good boating day.

Karl Konecny · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the tips, I bought some contact cleaner and will give it a try. I've thought about dielectric grease but my truck sees lots of dusty roads and the cover on the trailer hookup doesn't keep all the grime out. I'm concerned the grease will just turn to mud, anybody have that problem?

thataway · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:18 pm Post subject:

We have used a light coat of the electrical grease or Corrosion block. The contact cleaner is just that: a cleaner. The corrosion block or grease is preventative maintenance.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:41 am Post subject:

Best wishes preventing it entirely. They always get corroded eventually. The dielectric grease suggestion is good advice.

Schuster · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:12 pm Post subject:

I also agree that a dielectric grease is the proper way to attempt to reduce corrosion. It would also be a good idea to have that cleaner to clean out the dust/grime build up occasionally. The idea is to prevent salt water from contacting the electrical conduction areas and the grease will be most helpful in that regard. Good luck.

srbaum · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:43 pm Post subject:

This is the grease that I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLQ251B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can coat all of your electrical connections with this. I use it almost daily, for my outboard repair hobby and even for household chores.

What I did not mention, but others have, is that I first clean electoral contacts with cleaner with this cleaner, then boat with the silicone grease:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/WD-40-Specialist-Electrical-Contact-Cleaner-11-oz/467402449?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=3214&adid=22222222277467402449_160805772391_20959796377&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9008589&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=467402449&wl13=3214&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222237467402449_160805772391_20959796377&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9008589&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=467402449&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkuqvBhAQEiwA65XxQKfU0uepnRO0lsKJJOg1fhGvNhpxwtWQI9-glyG7G8uy-5hfaIyZ3hoCqgkQAvD_BwE