Trailex Tire rack on Featherlite open trailer
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Bolting on a trailex tire rack onto my featherlite trailer. Trying to decide whether to use stainless steel bolts/nuts or aluminum to bolt the brackets to the side of the trailer.
From the fastenal website:
2024T4 Aluminum Excellent resistance to the elements. Recommended for outdoor use especially when fastening aluminum components. Similar to low carbon steel in hardness. Very light in weight-only one third the weight of steel.
The bolts that come with the rack are galvanized steel (magnetic). Can't use them to bolt on the brackets (too short) but used them to assemble the rack.
What do you think? Aluminum or Stainless?
From the fastenal website:
2024T4 Aluminum Excellent resistance to the elements. Recommended for outdoor use especially when fastening aluminum components. Similar to low carbon steel in hardness. Very light in weight-only one third the weight of steel.
The bolts that come with the rack are galvanized steel (magnetic). Can't use them to bolt on the brackets (too short) but used them to assemble the rack.
What do you think? Aluminum or Stainless?
#2
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'd go good quality stainless but not an expert.
What I AM interested in is pictures of your install when you are done? I have a 3110 I picked up recently and want to add the same rack...
What I AM interested in is pictures of your install when you are done? I have a 3110 I picked up recently and want to add the same rack...
#3
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If it were me, stainless steel all the way. I would not have that niggling thought in the back of my mind "what if that falls off."
I'm sure some of the engineers on the board could provide the calcs, but as a simple solution I would go with certain strength over insignificant weight savings.
I'm sure some of the engineers on the board could provide the calcs, but as a simple solution I would go with certain strength over insignificant weight savings.
#4
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I wouldn't use aluminum bolts for a structural application ... my 2 cents.
Scott
Scott
#6
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Raw stainless on aluminum will cause galvanic corrosion. Essentially eats away at the aluminum. I know more about that than I care to from boating!
For my trailex tire rack on a featherlite 3110 trailer I used the "ultra corrosion resistant coating" grad 8 hardware from mcmaster. It's has that very heavy zinc gray coating on it and after a couple of years of living outside there is no corrosion anywhere. If you do use stainless make sure to put a dab of anti seize on there as you can gual the threads on stainless if you really tighten them.
For my trailex tire rack on a featherlite 3110 trailer I used the "ultra corrosion resistant coating" grad 8 hardware from mcmaster. It's has that very heavy zinc gray coating on it and after a couple of years of living outside there is no corrosion anywhere. If you do use stainless make sure to put a dab of anti seize on there as you can gual the threads on stainless if you really tighten them.
#7
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
How did you choose the Trailex rack? Did you see any other options?
Trending Topics
#8
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Went to Fastenal today. Decided on Stainless. Don't see any significant corrosion on trailer rails where other stainless hardware was used. Maybe the anodized finish is profecting the aluminum???
I will post pictures as the installation progresses.
I will post pictures as the installation progresses.
#11
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
No. Very straight forward. Having my 15 year old son to assist me and using a bar clamp to hold things in place during alignment/ bolt tightening helped. I'm going to lower the cross bars 3 more inches to get the tires lower/ decrease wind resistance towing behind my X5.
#12
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just ordered one of these Trailex racks this morning for my 3110, should have it early next week in time for next track event. Appreciate the pictures on the mounting locations. Can you specify how high of the deck you ended up with the lower bar?
Any other pictures of the mounting and installation would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Any other pictures of the mounting and installation would be appreciated.
Thanks!
#13
Race Car
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I used galvanized nuts and bolts, on my featherlight. then sprayed them w/ grey primer/paint
One thing I didn't love about the tire rack was the corners left marks or indentations on my track wheels... So I got some 4" pvc and slipped the pipe over the cross members.
the nice thing about the rack is its totally adjustable. I could drop it lower, but I often use the trailer for moving stuff around/ going to the dump.
Oh, I also have 2 spare trl tires mounted on the same lip. I'll try and post some pic over the weekend.
<--- (old trailer)
here we go:
![](http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/PorscheStuff/P1010481.jpg)
One thing I didn't love about the tire rack was the corners left marks or indentations on my track wheels... So I got some 4" pvc and slipped the pipe over the cross members.
the nice thing about the rack is its totally adjustable. I could drop it lower, but I often use the trailer for moving stuff around/ going to the dump.
Oh, I also have 2 spare trl tires mounted on the same lip. I'll try and post some pic over the weekend.
<--- (old trailer)
here we go:
![](http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/PorscheStuff/P1010481.jpg)
![](http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/PorscheStuff/P1010480.jpg)
Last edited by mrbill_fl; 09-24-2014 at 12:45 PM.
#14
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Raising this thread from the dead
I am getting a 3110 delivered next week and have a trailex tire rack on the way. Could someone tell me the size/dimensions of the bolts I need to order from McMaster?
Thanks in advance.
I am getting a 3110 delivered next week and have a trailex tire rack on the way. Could someone tell me the size/dimensions of the bolts I need to order from McMaster?
Thanks in advance.