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Old 11-30-2020, 05:29 PM   #1
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Need advice - Rust on trailer coupler

I did spend a bunch of time searching, but could not find my specific question/answer so I apologize if I'm repeating the topic.

Our camper is a 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S.

On our return from camping this weekend, we noticed flaking paint on the coupler where the power jack is bolted on. The paint appears bubbled with rusty metal underneath. It looks some of the metal has melted away.

What is the proper way to get this fixed? Do I use a wire brush to remove the loose paint and then put Rustoleum on it? Do I need to use some JB Weld (metal) to fill in the gap? Should I remove the power jack and put a steel plate on top of the coupler and then bolt the power jack back on? I'm somewhat handy, but don't like to chance safety items.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Scott
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Old 11-30-2020, 05:35 PM   #2
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Can you post a picture so we can see how severe it is? If it is just surface rust, scraping and painting is the right solution. If metal is missing, JB Weld is not the right solution, a real welder is.

It will help if you can wire brush the paint off first before taking the picture, I think.
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Old 12-03-2020, 12:24 AM   #3
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Thanks Robbie. I couldn't get out to the storage area to get pics until today. Please let me know what your thoughts are for repairing this properly. I really appreciate your help!
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Old 12-03-2020, 03:29 AM   #4
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I would unbolt the jack. Clean it up as best you can with a wire brush and sandpaper. Apply some red Rustoleum primer to everything and a couple of coats of Rustoleum paint. It's just rust, that metal is heavy, you haven't lost enough to worry about. Once you get it cleaned off you will see that.
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Old 12-03-2020, 06:25 AM   #5
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A great product to use prior to applying the Rustoleum primer, but after cleaning up as much surface rust as possible is Ospho. It reacts with the remaining surface rust, converting it to another iron compound and it provides a surface coating that inhibits further rusting. It is also a great surface for the primer to adhere to. It can be found at West Marine and other places.
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Old 12-03-2020, 06:30 AM   #6
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I am not a repair guy but I bought this little sand blaster from Harbor Freight to use on the deck of my mower for the same type of rust. Worked great. A bit messy so do outdoors.

https://www.harborfreight.com/21-oz-...gun-95793.html
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Old 12-03-2020, 06:36 AM   #7
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Good God !! My 2007 Jayco didn't have that much rust on the ENTIRE frame when we sold it in 2017. I'm sorry, but that is horrible in my opinion and not just "Surface" rust.
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Old 12-03-2020, 07:28 AM   #8
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I agree it needs to be fixed but isn’t structural. I would remove the jack and wire brush it. Then use rust reformer, prime and paint.
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Old 12-03-2020, 09:52 AM   #9
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I agree it needs to be fixed but isn’t structural. I would remove the jack and wire brush it. Then use rust reformer, prime and paint.
Agree with this /\.
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Old 12-03-2020, 11:37 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82 View Post
Good God !! My 2007 Jayco didn't have that much rust on the ENTIRE frame when we sold it in 2017. I'm sorry, but that is horrible in my opinion and not just "Surface" rust.
Agreed, our 2701SS doesn't have anything like that. It's starting to be more common on the newer units.

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Originally Posted by Jfkmk View Post
I agree it needs to be fixed but isn’t structural. I would remove the jack and wire brush it. Then use rust reformer, prime and paint.
That will become structural in short order if not addressed. That is already deeper than just surface rust.
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Old 12-03-2020, 02:27 PM   #11
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I would unbolt the jack. Clean it up as best you can with a wire brush and sandpaper. Apply some red Rustoleum primer to everything and a couple of coats of Rustoleum paint. It's just rust, that metal is heavy, you haven't lost enough to worry about. Once you get it cleaned off you will see that.
If you try to clean rust, you will never get to the pitting. No matter the primer or the finish coat, rust will come back. I would suggest one more step. Once the majority of rust is removed, i would use a "rust reformer" such as Ospho (and a lot of others under different names). Rust reformer is a mild acid that oxidizes the bare surface and any pitted rusting turning it white. You can do more than one coat to be sure and allow it to dry for 24 hrs. It will prevent rust from forming in the future.

Over 18 years ago, I helped my son restore a 1969 Mustang. We used Ospho in the rusted areas. The rust has not returned.
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Old 12-03-2020, 02:41 PM   #12
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I agree it needs to be fixed but isn’t structural. I would remove the jack and wire brush it. Then use rust reformer, prime and paint.
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Old 12-04-2020, 12:19 PM   #13
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I don't think so

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82 View Post
Good God !! My 2007 Jayco didn't have that much rust on the ENTIRE frame when we sold it in 2017. I'm sorry, but that is horrible in my opinion and not just "Surface" rust.
I don't think so. The paint has bubbled up, making it look much worse than it is. That's why the OP was advised to wire-brush the area before photographing it.

This stuff is 3/16" or thicker steel. A few thousands of an inch of surface rust does not significantly reduce its strength.
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Old 12-04-2020, 05:49 PM   #14
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I don't think so. The paint has bubbled up, making it look much worse than it is. That's why the OP was advised to wire-brush the area before photographing it.



This stuff is 3/16" or thicker steel. A few thousands of an inch of surface rust does not significantly reduce its strength.


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