Hot-Dip Galvanising & Long-Term Chassis Corrosion Protection
Zinc bonded to the steel at about 450 °C, to ISO 1461.
Our car transporter and drawbar chassis are hot-dip galvanised after fabrication. Here is what the process does, and what it does not promise.
Metallurgical Zinc Protection vs. Standard Paint & Powder Coating
After welding, the complete chassis is dipped in molten zinc at about 450 °C. The zinc bonds metallurgically with the steel and forms a layer typically 85 to 100 µm thick on structural sections, to ISO 1461. Because it is part of the surface rather than a film on top of it, the layer cannot peel off like paint or powder coating, and the zinc also reaches the inside of hollow sections. Where the coating is scratched, the surrounding zinc corrodes first and protects the exposed steel.
Environmental Resilience Against Road Salt & Harsh Transport Conditions
Galvanising is the preferred protection for trailers that run on salted winter roads, near the coast or in high humidity. Actual service life depends on the environment, use and maintenance, and warranty coverage is defined only by the signed contract. Hot-dip galvanised chassis are standard on the 6-Car Transporter, the 4-Car Transporter and the Commercial Drawbar Trailers.
Dual Protection: Galvanising Combined with Paint Systems
Where a fleet colour is required, a paint system can be applied over the zinc. This duplex build adds a barrier on top of the galvanising and gives the RAL colour you specify; the paint system and any surface preparation are agreed in the quotation. Lowbeds can also be ordered with zinc coating and two-layer paint.