Steel vs. aluminum cost

[JDgreen227]

When I purchased my 6X12 high-side UT with a ramp, it cost me about $450-$550 more than a comparable sized steel UT. I have always wondered how much of the additional cost of an aluminum trailer vs. a steel model is for the materials alone. Is it more time consuming to build an aluminum trailer, or does the steel trailer require more time bacause of the surface preparation and painting? Thanks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

When I purchased my 6X12 high-side UT with a ramp, it cost me about $450-$550 more than a comparable sized steel UT. I have always wondered how much of the additional cost of an aluminum trailer vs. a steel model is for the materials alone. Is it more time consuming to build an aluminum trailer, or does the steel trailer require more time bacause of the surface preparation and painting? Thanks.

Material and difficulty welding are the two factors.

Chris

 

[JasG]

If you look up aluminum pricing it is a lot more. We do a lot of our own fabrication and it is always more. We only use it where something has to be light and or not rust.

If you go to McMaster-Carrs website and look up steel and aluminum it will give you an idea. It also has guides that will tell you a little about the grades and alloys.

As already stated it is harder to weld aluminum. Any one with a stick welder can do steel with some experimenting. Thye do make sticks for aluminum, but it's hard to sue because you can't see the weld. It is much better to MIG or TIG aluminum.

We find aluminum is easier to machine sometimes so we do using when we have to mill a part.