JJN Trailers Sikeston Mo Problem

I have a single axle JJN trailer 5ft X 10 rated at 3500 Lbs that I bought a year ago last Dec. The traler is stored in a open barn out of the weather, has been used maybe 5 times and never in the winter. The problem is RUST. Rust on the main frame rail, side rails, on top of the fenders on the outside. I talked to the dealer I bought it from and he passed it off as just being a cheap trailer, they (JJN) uses poor paint. They didn't tell me this when I wrote the check for the trailer! They won't do a thing for me. I emailed JJN to see if they could do anything and they won't respond.
I have recently got a Farmall Cub tractor that I would like to haul to local parades, shows etc. It weighs aprox 1700 lbs I have thought about selling my current problem but I won't get much for it the way it looks and going to a larger dual axle trailer. I don't think it's going to happen... money issue.
I am thinking of stripping down the problem child trailer I have now and repainting it with POR-15. At least that paint will last. I am also thinking of having additional crossmember beams welded to the frame underneath just to feel better about trailer integrity. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

There's a lot of trailer like yours out there.

I just finished helping a neighbor re-do his car hauler/landscape trailer. Three years old and the fenders rotted out. He found a good trade on some sturdy diamond plate fenders and had them welded on with new braces.

Cleaned her down (a long afternoon's work for two and sometimes three of us) and treated it with phosphoric acid. Neighbor's choice was two coats of Rustoleum color over a coat of primer.

Choose your own materials, but you're on the right track.

You're on the right track, but here's just another thought. When you're working on it, why not flip it over and weld some spring brackets on it, too, for a second axle behind the first axle. then paint it. If you want to add a second axle at a later time you'll have the brackets right there.

I like that idea alot! I'm going to be stuck with this problem child as I don't think I would be able to get much for it and I really would feel safer having a two axle trailer hauling the Farmall Cub tractor. Any idea what I might be looking at moneywise to do this? Thank You for the great idea!

You can get all the parts, except brakes, from Tractor Supply. Or you can get everything from Tractor supply, except for a Dexter axle with brakes. I don't know current prices, but you can try external_link, championtrailers.com, and redneck-trailer.com

Since they pretty much told you where to go and you're stuck with it, have it sand blasted and then repaint it yourself. Around here, you would likely have between $50 and $100 in getting it blasted.
I would bet the material they built the trailer out of was starting to rust and they just painted right over it.

[b:16f6577b34]If there was any fertilizer or chemicals stored in that barn with the trailer then that is where the corrosion and/or rust came from.
It can also happen from ground moisture coming up containing chemicals. [/b:16f6577b34]:!:

Lots of issues there. Sympathy on the lack of dealer support, guess you where not to go in the future.

The single axle 3500 pound trailer should carry the weight you describe ok. I assume the trailer has that fold down rear gate, is it strong enough for the Cub. I don't know how long a Cub is, is the trailer long enough to get it and any equipment on?

You should have good 6 ply rating tires on the trailer and a good spare tire. 15 inch tires preferrably, but 14 inch is probably ok.

Welding more crossmembers is a good idea, possibly you need to reinforce the tailgate also.

Is that a trailer made from about 2 inch angle iron with angle iron sides about 18 inches high made to act as a truss reinforcing the frame? If so, the commercial ones I have seen are made to minimal strength. Possibly the side rails could stand some reinforcement also. I would be a little uncomfortable adding a second axle unless the trailer is built fairly well or the frame is reinforced.

On rust, are you in a state with salted roads and if so is there a lot of trouble with rust on trailers?

On hauling the Cub, maybe you need to weld some brackets to fasten tie downs to. Don't think I would trust the little top rail for that if it's that design trailer.

KEH

I've got the same trailer, it is of very cheap quality and is rusted all over. I brushed a couple of quarts of gloss black rustoleum on it, it looks better.

The other issue i have with this trailer is the axle placement. It should be set back a little bit, not in the middle of the trailer.