Aluminum car trailer vs steel

[plowhog]

Maybe some brands are better, but I'm never buying an aluminum trailer again.

After reading the comments if I proceed with an aluminum trailer I'd most likely go to Aluma or other top brand. Not that small companies don't make good products but quality seems more critical with an aluminum trailer.

 

[Paystar]

After reading the comments if I proceed with an aluminum trailer I'd most likely go to Aluma or other top brand. Not that small companies don't make good products but quality seems more critical with an aluminum trailer.

Yes. I bought mine not knowing the brand. It was just what was at my Kubota dealer at the time I bought my RTV and this was during covid, so no other trailer dealers would even call me back.
Mine is a Bearco. I don't want to say bad about them. They have warrantied it every time, paying for all the welding that had to be done to it. And the cracks aren't in critical locations.
And despite it having a 5700 pound PAYLOAD capacity hauling my Ford 3000 diesel almost destroyed it. But again, they stepped up and paid my welder to add extra crossmembers to the frame. So I appreciate them for that.

 

[plowhog]

despite it having a 5700 pound PAYLOAD capacity hauling my Ford 3000 diesel almost destroyed it.

Well that is a concern. I looked up your tractor and it looks to be 4,000 lbs +/-.

My load would be a Honda at 2,600lbs, Jeep at 3,400lbs, or a CanAm ATV at 2,600lbs (if I buy one .....)

I was surprised the CanAm ATV weighs the same as the Honda Fit.

 

[CliffordK]

After reading the comments if I proceed with an aluminum trailer I'd most likely go to Aluma or other top brand. Not that small companies don't make good products but quality seems more critical with an aluminum trailer.

I think I mentioned earlier, Mom & Dad had their old horse trailer / stock trailer built to spec by a local welder. It was a good trailer and very tough. It served them well for several years.

It was probably slightly better than the average off the shelf trailer. No cutting corners in the construction. They had heavy corrugated siding on it, not the flimsy tin foil stuff that most trailers have now.

Anyway, if you find someone who has the equipment, and knows what they're doing, they can do as good, or a better job than the big manufacturers.

 

[ultrarunner]

I just looked up the trailer manufacture everyone wanted back in the day 40 years ago and it looks like 2019 was the end of the line and I guess that includes the lifetime warranty?

Tommy Trailer Ada OK

They were the top in open haulers for show cars and some of the classics tipped the scale but the aluminum trailer made it work out.

One of the local Jay Leno collectors had a beautiful collection including Cords… everything went on the aluminum Tommy towed by his 1976 Eldorado convertible…

 

[Paystar]

Well that is a concern. I looked up your tractor and it looks to be 4,000 lbs +/-.

My load would be a Honda at 2,600lbs, Jeep at 3,400lbs, or a CanAm ATV at 2,600lbs (if I buy one .....)

I was surprised the CanAm ATV weighs the same as the Honda Fit.

Here's what mine looks like, and yes I know the tractor is too far forward, I just pulled it on there and shot a pic before I adjusted and secured.

 

[plowhog]

I've been researching Aluma trailers.

A new consideration has emerged: tilt trailer or traditional model with ramps?

The desirable tilt feature trailer has similar bed size, enough payload capacity for me, but is only .... single axle. Aaaahhhh.

The traditional flatbed trailer is dual axle, but requires using ramps (stored on the trailer.)

I have never owned a tilt bed trailer but those who own them love them. Some folks also have or use ramps even with the tilt capability.

Regarding tow safety, I'm a little leery of a single axle trailer with a 3,000 lb vehicle sitting on top of it. So I guess there is no free lunch?

Here are the two:

https://alumaklm.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Aluma-Spec-Sheet-7800-Series-01-02-24.pdf

https://alumaklm.com/wp-images/spec-sheets/Aluma-Spec-Sheet-8214HS-TILT.pdf

 

[ultrarunner]

I have both...

I like the tilt but often all I need is a curb for easy loading.

Only my PJ equipment trailer has Ramos and they are tilt up which is very safe all around.

Still have a single axle steel trailer built in 1964 for SCCA events.

It's hauled Lotus Super 7, Lola, Mustangs and even a 1966 GT40 to the historic Monterey Races...

Comes down to what you are loading.

 

[deserteagle71]

I've been researching Aluma trailers.

A new consideration has emerged: tilt trailer or traditional model with ramps?

The desirable tilt feature trailer has similar bed size, enough payload capacity for me, but is only .... single axle. Aaaahhhh.

The traditional flatbed trailer is dual axle, but requires using ramps (stored on the trailer.)

Regarding tow safety, I'm a little leery of a single axle trailer with a 3,000 lb vehicle sitting on top of it. So I guess there is no free lunch?

I wouldn't want to tow anything heavy on a single axle trailer either. Dual axle is just more stable. But what's wrong with the 8200 series Aluma?

 

[plowhog]

But what's wrong with the 8200 series Aluma?

Nothing at all and thanks for pointing it out.

I'm dealing with a bit of mission creep regarding tow weight. I bought the Honda Fit because at 2,600lbs, dinghy tow and no trailer, it was very light weight which is important. I'm towing using a gas motorhome with Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine in mountainous country.

Adding a basic trailer adds 1,000+ pounds to the equation-- plus more as the trailer gets bigger.

As you pointed out, the dual axle tilt would be better. Adding dual axle tilt only adds another 250lbs-- from 1,175lbs to 1,425lbs. So not really that big a deal.