TSC has a 5x10 trailer in aluminum and steel that we can use for comparison purposes. The empty weight is 638 vs 950. The advantage to aluminum is about 300lbs or 10% (on 2990 GVW) more payload and no rust. The downside (other than upfront cost) is that they tend to break welds more frequently and are harder to find somebody to fix them when they do. Aluminum won't rust, but it does oxidize over time and will get that white haze to it. They don't stay shiny and new looking forever. Personally, I would go with a steel trailer and keep the extra $500 +/- in my pocket.
I think I am definitely going steel, I really cannot justify the cost of an Aluminum for my purposes, like you say I'd rather have the extra $$ in my pocket.
Not to beat a dead horse here but I think am finally getting around to purchasing a utility trailer. Am definitely going steel but I have been eyeing up this galvanized trailer made by Sure Trac (I included a video link below). It's about another $200 more then the currently steel welded trailer I am looking at made by Reiser BUT it' looks sweet and has some nice features. My only question is it looks bolted or screwed vs. your typical steel welded utility trailers. I don't know if it not being welded makes it less strong or not as good or whatever term you wanna use. My only other issue too is that it has sides so if I wanted to lug home a 16' piece of wood I can't slide it up in the front because the trailer is not open. But I suppose I can put a piece of wood across the back where the gate is and have the long wood sit on the front rail and that piece of wood I put in. On the flip having the sides make it nice for dirt/multch/rock, etc.... Sure Trac |
We've borrowed a trailer from my uncle for the greater part of 25 years. Held up to a lot and will continue! Other than that its not a big deal if you keep it dry enough or paint it well with rustproof paint. The aluminum is gonna be often stressed by weight as yooperdave put it well. The part about that is what aluminum lacks in toughness yields the weight. In the end aluminum will fissure on a stress break. Pressure split. If you ask me its easier to weld steel back together than aluminum. Better weight control and stability pulling a load or no load. The lighter your load carrier the less likely it stays under control(fishtail).
