5 x 10 utility - galvanized or aluminum?

[hazmat]

Price is the roughly the same

Tasks include picking up home improvement materials & trator implements

Tow vehicle is 2004 Honda Pilot 3,500/4,500# tow capacity (box trailer/boat)

Option 1 Load Rite UL510-2600
5 x 10 tilt
2,600 GVW
470 # empty
$1,700 with aluminum sides & rear ramp
$1,150 w/o sides or ramp

Option 2 worthington WU-5610-13
5 x 10 tilt
2,400 GVW
395# empty
$1,761 with wood sides & rear gate

 

[kenmac]

If it were me, I would go with the galvanized.If you decided you want to add something to it later you can at least weld galvanized IE; weld on a small tool box, etc, Or, if one of the original weld breaks you can weld it back. Unless you (or a good friend )are lucky enough to have an alum. welder no problem. If not ,you are out of luck on the welding part if something breaks. I just built myself a 5x14 to haul my 2 ATV'S (among other things) metal frame wood floor

 

[Renze]

If aluminium breaks, you can weld it but it will build internal material tension, or warp, and crack again even quicker.

I work at a trailer manufacturer, we just hired a new guy who has experience in aluminium. We do want to set up a new line of aluminium deck car haulers, but the frames will be steel for sure. Aluminium has problems with the multi load torsion of a road chassis, and will fatigue at the welds and crack.

Also, aluminium is soft so an aluminium deck isnt suitable to throw trash and implements on, the tips of a plough will dig into the deck during the ride...

I agre, go for the galvanised. Aluminium is for the clean and light duty jobs like car hauling.

 

[Will_C]

I don't claim to have enough knowledge to comment on the difference between galvanized and aluminum. I have a worthington trailer since 1999 and it has been one of the best purchases I ever made. The trailer tracks down the road as true as can be, has held up to 4 season use, and every light still works!
Will

 

[BTDT]

If I was buying new and had a choice, I think the aluminum looks the best. And I guess they've been around long enough now that all the problems are worked out (compared to 30 years ago). Reality for me is I'd have to fab up a junk boat trailer with mobile home axles.

 

[hazmat]

Thanks guys - I'm leaning towards the galvanized unit. Having a hard time convincing the wife - she doesn't want to look at it 360 days a year...

 

[mjarrels]

hazmat,

Thats why I have a large detached garage... can hide all kinds of things in it or behind it... wife never sees things... If I really want to be sneaky... I put things in the 60 foot machine shed or large bank barn.

mark