If the rust spots are evenly spaced, you can use surface stitches to cover them. Good stitches might be Smyrna cross stitch, satin-stitch heart, queen stitch, satin stitch lozenges/triangles, palestrina knots, etc. If the spots are not evenly spaced, balance the design by adding extra stitches between the spots.
Fortunately, most states require drivers to equip their trailers with brakes and devices known as brake controllers. When a driver presses on the brake pedal in his truck, the brake controller lets the trailer's brake system know how much braking power is needed to stop the trailer.
A brake controller is not needed with a trailer surge braking system unless using modern electric over hydraulic devices. The trailer in this case usually has either electric friction brakes or Electric-Hydraulic Trailer Brake Actuators. Most basic brake controllers will generally have a +/- gain adjustment.