Trailer Question, Hilbilt XL

Wow, five years old seems real early for frame rails and cross members to be rusted through. We used to pull Trans-Craft flat beds that aren't the top of the line by any means and they wouldn't need frame work until they were over 10 years old. We prolly get about the same or more winter salt here.

Bill

 

this trailer was used for hauling something aggressive, may be with acid.

Yeah, dump trailers may have welded frames that may be repared welding sections in. But you will loose payload capasity anyway.

Check also ABS unit, brakes, brake lines, wiring...

But my advice- sale it for any price...

 

Seeing as how you're in the Chicagoland area I bet you've hauled salt with it and/or driven in the winter with it. I think the XL was the 'hybrid' with the steel frame and aluminum sidewalls...bad combo as aluminum against steel corrodes and add to it hauling salt and driving through it....

 

Do you drive it in the winter or no? If you do and also haul salt with it...that's just asking for rust. Have you gone back to where you bought it from if you bought new?

I've got an '09 Pitboss and won't let that thing anywhere near salt...steel trailer would be just asking for a big pile of rust...but that doesn't have the crossmembers like you've got...just a tub with associated 1/4 frame draft arms/linkage.

 

Truckbiz! Can you post some pics? It is so difficult to say how to repare and prevent rust damage If we can't see shots.