Aluminum trailers

[MFWD]

Hello,
I just bought a new 2016 John Deere XUV 550 Gator. I had to borrow my sister-in-law's 5' x 8' utility trailer to bring it home. My 4' x8' trailer was too small in width. Actually, the 5' x8' was barely long enough.....the wheel was almost centered over the rear edge. I had it strapped in so tight that it didn't move 1/8" !!!!! So, I think I would like to buy a bigger trailer than my 4' x 8' one. I was thinking about a 5.5' x 10' aluminum utility trailer. Mostly for the 300 pounds saving in weight. I can get one that size at Tractor Supply for $1799.00....about $500.00 more than a steel one of the same size. I will probably pull it and the Gator with my 2008 4- door Jeep Wrangler. It doesn't have the new upgraded HP engine....it still has the 202 HP engine. Not a lot of power, but I know it can do the job. But that is why I'm thinking about going aluminum rather than steel. So if any of you guys have an aluminum utility trailer, can you tell me why you went that way and if you are happy with it. Is there anything special to know about an aluminum one as compared to a steel one ?? Can you ratchet strap things down and not bend the aluminum ??? Thanks ahead of time for all your help !!!!!


MFWD

 

[bcp]

Paint it so it isn't as much a thief magnet.

They even steal aluminum highway guardrails around here.

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

I don't care much for the aluminum trailers. You better check the axel ratings. They are pretty light on the aluminum trailers. The aluminum trailers I have seen don't have brakes either. I don't want a trailer that you have to put plywood down to prevent it from getting scratched. The last time I used my lawnmower trailer was to haul the grapple to the shop. It wasn't kind to it and scared up the wood decking pretty good.

 

[Retiredguy2]

I am on my second Legend brand 6'X12' high side utility trailer, and would never own a steel one in Michigan. The trailer weighs 740 pounds and the Dexter axle is rated at 3,000 pounds. The sides and deck are 5/4" treated pine and the entire unit is super strong, and it has a ramp gate that tilts down. The reason I am on my second one as I sold the first to my brother who was always borrowing it. You pay a premium for aluminum but will always get it back when resale time comes. My '04 Lesabre can easily pull this trailer and has 1200 pounds of cargo capacity in it before it exceeds the 2000 pound tow rating of the car.

 

[Retiredguy2]

Paint it so it isn't as much a thief magnet.

They even steal aluminum highway guardrails around here.

Bruce

Painting aluminum.....:laughing: you must be kidding the reason to buy aluminum is so you DON'T have to paint it !!!!! All you need do is INSURE IT !!!!! Mine costs me $37 a year to insure. And only a complete moron would sell an aluminum trailer for scrap !!!!!

 

[robstaples]

I have a 6x12' Triton APT 610 with electric brakes. I wish I had painted it when I first got it. It was pristine, shinny and smooth . One trip up thru the snow and road salt to the Upper Peninsula to haul my brothers new Mule utv, it was all pitted up. Mine has a 5/4 wood deck and weighs 705 lbs. Tracks great. I modified my rear ramp after that and cleaned and painted the frame with aluminum color paint. It will take a lifetime or two to oxydize thru, but it's easy when it's new and clean. Had a steel one before, wouldn't go back.

 

[coobie]

I own a 6X12 aluma aluminum trailer.The 2 downfalls I see are the lighter axle and if you live where they spread salt on the roads like they do here in Michigan it pits the heck out of the trailer.

 

[ProjectKing]

Hello, I just bought a new 2016 John Deere XUV 550 Gator. I had to borrow my sister-in-law's 5' x 8' utility trailer to bring it home. My 4' x8' trailer was too small in width. Actually, the 5' x8' was barely long enough.....the wheel was almost centered over the rear edge. I had it strapped in so tight that it didn't move 1/8" !!!!! So, I think I would like to buy a bigger trailer than my 4' x 8' one. I was thinking about a 5.5' x 10' aluminum utility trailer. Mostly for the 300 pounds saving in weight. I can get one that size at Tractor Supply for $1799.00....about $500.00 more than a steel one of the same size. I will probably pull it and the Gator with my 2008 4- door Jeep Wrangler. It doesn't have the new upgraded HP engine....it still has the 202 HP engine. Not a lot of power, but I know it can do the job. But that is why I'm thinking about going aluminum rather than steel. So if any of you guys have an aluminum utility trailer, can you tell me why you went that way and if you are happy with it. Is there anything special to know about an aluminum one as compared to a steel one ?? Can you ratchet strap things down and not bend the aluminum ??? Thanks ahead of time for all your help !!!!! MFWD

Consider a 12 foot long trailer. Good luck

 

[Mysfyt]

I own a 6X12 aluma aluminum trailer.The 2 downfalls I see are the lighter axle and if you live where they spread salt on the roads like they do here in Michigan it pits the heck out of the trailer.

Plus one on the salt issue!

 

[Oldtink]

I have an aluminum 6x10 Aluma utility trailer, 3000lb capacity, no brakes. Weight and ease of maintenance are it's pros. As others have said, road salt is a big enemy along with galvanic corrosion where steel fasteners penetrate the aluminum.
I went over it and isolated all of the screws and bolts on the lights with what I call top hat nylon washers (McMaster/Carr) that keep the steel from touching the aluminum. That was 12 years ago and have never had an electrical issue with lights.
I think the empty trailer weighs 440 pounds and my old V6 Jimmy doesn't know it's back there WHEN it's empty.
It is also very easy to move around by hand.

 

[MMagis]

I don't want a trailer that you have to put plywood down to prevent it from getting scratched. The last time I used my lawnmower trailer was to haul the grapple to the shop. It wasn't kind to it and scared up the wood decking pretty good.

It's a trailer. You're scared to scratch it, and the deck of all things?

Painting aluminum.....:laughing: you must be kidding the reason to buy aluminum is so you DON'T have to paint it !!!!! All you need do is INSURE IT !!!!! Mine costs me $37 a year to insure. And only a complete moron would sell an aluminum trailer for scrap !!!!!

How smart do you think meth heads are? And as mentioned, salt can be an issue.

 

[4570Man]

It's a trailer. You're scared to scratch it, and the deck of all things? How smart do you think meth heads are? And as mentioned, salt can be an issue.

Yea, a $3,000 dollar trailer.

 

[MMagis]

Yea, a $3,000 dollar trailer.

It’s a TRAILER. If you’re scared to scratch it, perhaps you should hire it done. Baffles me when people spend a bunch of money on something, then are scared to use it.

 

[4570Man]

It’s a TRAILER. If you’re scared to scratch it, perhaps you should hire it done. Baffles me when people spend a bunch of money on something, then are scared to use it.

I didn't spend a bunch of money on one. I beat the heck out of my steel trailer.

 

[TedBell]

Can you ratchet strap things down and not bend the aluminum?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a aluminum trailer. It's a tandem axle 12K unit. I have owned about 10 trailers in my life and this will be my last aluminum one. It's a 07 and is barn keep but looks dull and flexes way more than I would like. Yes, it saves a few pounds but my 04 steel trailer looks 5 times better with more years and miles.

Chris

 

[Retiredguy2]

Can you ratchet strap things down and not bend the aluminum?

Depends on the kind of straps you are using!!! I ran this trailer tens of thousands of miles loaded and never had an issue with flexing but I did not overdo it on the ratchets nor did I use wide ones...just the smaller type. The bracing created by the front corners and the stiffness of the tailgate and the added reinforcement of the 45 degree bracing on the rear section makes a well made trailer very strong. You do get what you pay for in an aluminum utility. This one cost me $1550 out the door six years ago with tax and a new plate. Notice the D-ring tiedown loops bolted onto the top rail. When I had to transport something heavy, I used the larger ones bolted to the side uprights just above the third board up.

 

[robs660]

My only concern with aluminum trailers is repair or modification. Unless you really know what you are doing and how welding effects aluminum you should not be welding on your trailer, which means any modifications you make will be bolt on only. Same logic stands for if you break something and either repair it yourself or have it repaired.

My buddy has a 8x30 for carrying out ATV and utvs behind his motor home and he spent a fortune to have reinforcements and D rings added everywhere because he knew he could not add them later.

If you are concerned or plan to change anything on the unit you buy them aluminum is a good choice. For me I will stick with steel since I have never owned a trailer that hasn't been modified in some fashion

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have a 5'x10' Aluma brand aluminum trailer and I really like it, I've hauled some heavy loads in it.

It's Dexter axel is rated 3000 pounds, I could have bought a heavier Aluminum trailer WITH brakes, (like a steel trailer) but for what I use this one for, I don't need it.

I'd buy another one...

SR

 

[4570Man]

Can you ratchet strap things down and not bend the aluminum?

I have used two different Aluma trailers. If you had a big heavy duty 2" ratchet strap with an extended crank it might be possible, but no they won't bend.