Worth it to spend the extra $$ on a Aluminum trailer or just go cheaper and go steel? My use for it will basic and simple, occasionally bringing material home from the lumber yard, scoring some wood, and helping friends and family members out if needed. I will not be using it all the time so I don't know if it's worth the extra $$. If I used it regularly for a business or hauling often I'd think twice but 9 out of 10 days it's going be sitting in my yard. Am only looking at a 5x10 which roughly new around here are approx $1000. I see galvanized one with sides for approx $1500, and Aluminum ones are close to $2000. I keep checking CL but folks want too much for a used trailer I'd rather spend the extra $100-$200 buy it new.
Same here for the used trailer prices although the prices of your new ones are a lot better than here. Steel is gonna rust sitting in your yard eventually. Steel is heavier to pull. Steel is stronger than aluminum which may equal better payloads? Aluminum will wear out quicker with heavier loads. Aluminum is easier to pull. Aluminum should weather better in your yard. The price for Aluminum is double. Has its advantages, but like you say...how much is it needed for sitting in the yard? I don't have a trailer (only boat trailer) but decided years ago it would be a painted steel when I buy one. A 6X10 here goes around $1500. But has a 3500 lb axle. Good for hauling wood! Occasional building materials, toys, and whatever else you can fit into it. After that, it sits in the yard too! Cleared everything up for you, right?
Hahaha, thanks! Talking to many folks who have plain ole steel ones, yes they rust over time but most people I talked to have had them for like 10-15years and yes they are rusty maybe not the prettiest looking trailer but they work for what you need it for. If I could get 15yrs out of a steel trailer I paid $1000 for I think I got most of my monies worth and would be happy! That Galvanized one is very tempting though.....it's perdy!! Sure Trac | $1,500 for 6x10 that's pretty good, no?
My steel trailer is 14 years old. About 7 years ago I took the grinder with a wire wheel to any rust and painted the whole thing 2 coats of good rattle can enamel. It wasn't bad, but using it for biz, I wanted it good looking. Point being, steel trailer will last much longer than 15 years stored outside. Hell...my wood decking is still original because it got 4 coats of good oil deck stain. No way I'd do aluminum at twice the cost. Take care of your equipment and itll be good to you in return.
I think the biggest consideration on your decision is; what tow vehicle will you be using. if it's anything lighter duty that a half ton truck I'd lean towards the aluminum to save wear on your vehicle. if you have a legit truck go for the steel....
great thread ReelFaster as I need to replace mine.. snow plow kinda hit it at buddy's house in that 3 foot nightmare... mine was 5 x 10 snobear.. just my thoughts waiting on others responses. I want tubular frame not angle iron.. my experience a lot stronger.. also easier if ya got to pull a something up on it.. definitely for me 5 x 10 .. 4 x 8 too small.. TSC up here has them tubular frame... 3000 lb axle 5 x 10 for 1200 but they go on sale for 999 on father's day.. willing to pay more for better quality but hard to beat the last one.. the other thing I want to put on mine.. is a small boat flip up wheel for front.. yes I can crank it... but for me that pull release and drop wheel it's level load it and pop wheel up is soo nice
Agreed but again am not pulling it allot at all. If I were I think that's sound advice if I use it a dozen times a year I think that would be allot. I kinda equate it to my tools.............That tool you use just once to do a nice job Harbor freights is a God Send! But the tools your use all the time you invest quality and $$ into. Agreed on the cranking wheel I have a flip up for my 16ft boat that's a blessing that cranking is for the birds!
Broken transmissions are expensive, crashes from being overloaded and not having enough brakes sucks too....
IMO For a trailer you want strong & tough Steel frame will take many years to rust, & with a little TLC will last a lifetime I vote : STEEL
All good points! For a smaller trailer I don't think its worth saving a few pounds to get aluminum unless you plan to use it in winter with lots of salt. Rust adds character anyway.
Steel, if it breaks your more likely to find a welder to fix it than aluminum, also easy to modify, as far as rust goes, the best thing is going to be after 5-8 years it's going to start rusting, if not sooner, pull your deck boards, and lights, hire a sand blaster, get it blasted 100 percent and put good paint on it within a day of getting it blasted, new deck boards and lights and you'll easily get another 15 years out of it. Nowadays with trailer manufactures they don't blast or even wash the oil off the frame before painting it.
Awesome info everyone thanks so much! Nice to hear from folks w/ experience when making a decision. Great forum!!!!
Yup, thing looks sweet! It does have the heavy axle and is rated at less than 3000lbs which in this state is a bonus when it comes time to register it for license plates! Try to find a galvanized one that has been in the weather for 3-4 years and then decide for steel or galv.
I have had 2 aluminum trailers. My first was a 6.5' x 12' 3000 lb unit. I bought it in 1999 for $1800 and sold it in 2010 to the first buyer that looked at for $1600. I replaced it with a 6.5 x 18' tandem axle. That was costly, but I just hate rust!
My boat trailer is galvanized as I dunk her in salt water once in awhile. She don't have a lick of rust on her, solid and in great shape. Debating to spend the extra $500 besides it being galvanized, it's a nice trailer with nice features for sure!
