Electrolysis and aluminum sided trailer

[Tony Lee]

Have Thor got a users forum. Might also be worth posting on other forums that have dedicated brand or type forums such as Open Roads

[1010]

It has been awhile since I asked about electrolysis and aluminum sided trailers. I want to thank all of you who answered and I learned a lot from your replies. I want to give an update on how my insurance company handled electrolysis. After contacting the company who made my trailer (Thor) they said too bad so sad, so I called my insurance company again and got ahold of a supervisor. Long story short, my insurance company is covering electrolysis as a comprehensive loss and my trailer is totaled. My insurance company is ARRP Hartford, what else can I say but that I am one happy camper who will stay with Hartford. http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/dance.gif

[CLIFFTALL]

Thanks for the update. Glad it worked out for you.

[woodburner]

I always wondered if anyone had experienced any electrolysis problems from the way Keystone makes their coaches; especially with aluminum walls and steel rafters with no insulation barrier between the metals.
Maybe yours wasn't a keystone but it was a THOR and you're the first one I've read about.

[1010]

Originally Posted by woodburner

I always wondered if anyone had experienced any electrolysis problems from the way Keystone makes their coaches; especially with aluminum walls and steel rafters with no insulation barrier between the metals.
Maybe yours wasn't a keystone but it was a THOR and you're the first one I've read about.

Our trailer is a 2002 Komfort, made by THOR, Komfort is now made by Dutchman. Dutchman also gave me the brush off, they didn't make my trailer so they were on firm ground. We really like our Komfort, still do for many reasons, but THOR dropped the ball by failing to treat the aluminum. Our Komfort is a wood framed trailer which makes this issue more disturbing. THOR stopped making Komforts and I heard the Komforts were having some issues but I never did find out what it was, think I know now, though I have never heard of many problems with Komfort, that is one reason we bought one. Thanks for the heads up on Keystone, even if they treat the aluminum, it should have a barrier between the metals, and metal fasteners (unless aluminum) should not come in direct contact with the aluminum. I doubt Keystone is using stainless steel. If anyone out there is looking at purchasing an aluminum sided trailer I would ask some questions as to how the aluminum skin is treated, types of fasteners, how the metals are separated and so on.

[Dunner]

My 20' enclosed International trailer has a steel frame and steel inner structure. The outside panels are aluminum and held on with SS screws. There is no sign of electrolysis anywhere and I don't see anything between the panels and inner support framework. I almost want to say that road vibration alone would keep anything from sticking together.

[calhyatt]

Originally Posted by Dunner

My 20' enclosed International trailer has a steel frame and steel inner structure. The outside panels are aluminum and held on with SS screws. There is no sign of electrolysis anywhere and I don't see anything between the panels and inner support framework. I almost want to say that road vibration alone would keep anything from sticking together.

You were burning the midnight oil. Can't sleep? Take care friend..

[Dunner]

I sleep like a yo-yo, but seriously, I'm in AZ and I've never seen the electrolysis problem on enclosed trailers, MHs or camping trailers. It may happen in wet or salty environments, though.

[woodburner]

Correct me if I'm wrong; but isn't Dutchmen owned by THOR?
There should be some sort of relief from THOR as it IS their company.

[1010]

Originally Posted by Dunner

I sleep like a yo-yo, but seriously, I'm in AZ and I've never seen the electrolysis problem on enclosed trailers, MHs or camping trailers. It may happen in wet or salty environments, though.

I am in N. Ca. and not many around here have heard about it or have seen it. I think I ruled out a bad ground as the cause, I cleaned up the ground and moved it. I disconnected the batteries, no electrical current to the trailer and the process continued. I only found one guy (on the internet) that had the same damage as me. The damage on his trailer began on both sides at the top front corner of his trailer. The article was in 2011. The agent at Hartford was very familiar with it and called it a manufacturing defect, but Hartford covered it.

[Dunner]

I borrowed a truck camper once and all the tail and stop lights had poor grounds. I wonder if your's is grounding through the skin.

[1010]

Originally Posted by woodburner

Correct me if I'm wrong; but isn't Dutchmen owned by THOR?
There should be some sort of relief from THOR as it IS their company.

You are right, Dutchmen is one of THOR Industries trailer manufacturers. Komfort was made by THOR in 2002, they built it. When we had some issues come up while we were on trips, THOR did us right, no complaints, now 10 years later.......

[1010]

Originally Posted by Dunner

I borrowed a truck camper once and all the tail and stop lights had poor grounds. I wonder if your's is grounding through the skin.

Stray Current Corrosion, that is what the mechanic that works on boats around here thinks. Someone who replied to my earlier post here said the same thing. The RV repair guys said it could be, but they doubted it as moisture is the usual culprit. I checked the ground, it was grounded to the aluminum siding and the aluminum was partially eaten up. I cleaned up everything, moved the ground to a new location. I disconnected the batteries, the trailer had no electrical connected to it and the damage continued. If it was Stray Current Corrosion I was told the damage would stop. I may look into this, if it is in fact Stray Current, and the fix was not too expensive it may be worth repairing.

[Dunner]

I fixed the camper by re-seating all the sheet metal light screws.