all metal or aluminum trailer ?

[MAN IN BLACK]

I am currently looking to buy a utility trailer for transporting my MF GC2610.
I found a nice 6.5' x 14' with loading ramp folding up at back & tandem axles @3500 pounds with electric brakes
I have the choice of going aluminium vs steal (metal)
Both have wooden 2x6 treated floor boards.
On the strength side...aluminium or steel ?
1000$ extra for aluminium....is it worth the extra?
What do you guys use ? , any + or - on either would be appreciated.
Thanks for any input

 

[ericb2400]

What is the weight difference between the two. An aluminum trailer should have a higher load capacity. And or be easier to tow.

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[Pete6114]

My next trailer will be aluminum. Having said that, i dont plan on getting real close to it's maximum rated load. Aluminum will bow a little if you load it to the max.

 

[Will_C]

I've had 2 aluminum trailers-a single axle I had for 12 years and my current tandem. I'll share one fact-I bought the single axle for $1800 and sold it 12 years later for $1600 to the first person that looked at it.

Will

 

[Case485Guy]

My choice is steel, but I live in the south and do not deal with road salt etc. Steel trailers here wont rust like they would up there.

 

[schmism]

last time this subject came up it was on a specific trailer.

I looked it up it was like 680 lbs of addtional capacity for like twice the cost of a steel trailer.

 

[JJZ 109]

I was recently in the market for an enclosed trailer to upgrade the one I currently use for my business. I currently have a 7x14 American Hauler steel frame. A 7x16 aluminum was going to be around $6900. I ordered a steel framed 7x18 with a deeper V front and ramp doors on both ends for $5400. By the way, the V is in addition to the 18 feet of square box.
No doubt that the aluminum was a nicer trailer and several hundred pounds lighter, but smaller than what I decided to buy. To me it was a substantial amount of money more also. My business is seasonal and the trailer is parked all winter so it sees no road salt. To me the benefit was keeping that extra $1500 in my pocket to devote to other business items.
You're in Ontario so the extra $1,000 might be worth it to you if you use the trailer year round. I guess you'd have to balance your usage with the increased cost and see if it's right for your situation.

 

[RickB]

Aluminum trailers still have steel axles, suspension and brake components. These, plus wiring and lighting components are just as prone to corrosion damage as the same parts found on steel trailers. Aluminum isn't a magic pill.

 

[Ford850]

I think RickB nailed it. The things that go bad on a steel trailer will still go bad under the aluminum trailer. It's more about looks/maintenance and a little payload capacity than anything. I was following one about that size last week, and commented to my wife about how sharp it was. There's something about an aluminum trailer that makes you say "nice"

 

[cmyoung2]

One issue I have with aluminum trailers is I can't weld on it. Steel I can. When something cracks, can it be patched? And that is just me-I don't know how or have the equipment to fix aluminum, steel I can.
One of my welder friends put it, --Aluminum is nice, but under stress and age it will crack at the weld joints.
Steel will also crack and rust, but you can wear out and replace a couple of steel stock trailers for the price of one aluminum. Different trailers, different uses, might not be the same, and the price of steel has gone up. I like aluminum, just can't afford or fix them, and for me there is not enough difference in the weight.