Aluminum Boat Trailer

[minkman]

Why don't you see aluminum boat trailers ?

[Hawker]

I guess it depends on the area your in! I see several at the boat ramp parking areas almost every time I go to the lake(s) here in OK! I've heard some "not so good" stories about them buckling etc, but there are several aluminum boat trailers made and in use!

[Hot Runr Guy]

I've looked at them for my next boat, but I'm not really seeing any advantage. Certainly, in a salt-water enviorement, they won't rust, but in the midwest, that's not as much of a concern. In the size range I'm looking at (16-17') they're not any lighter, usualy don't offer as many bunk or roller options, and I don't believe that they're less expensive.

But, dang, they DO look good!

HRG

[walleyeguide]

the best one i've seen (and owned) is the phoenix trailer.
phoenixtrail.com
check them out

[jalichty@bresnan.net]

I believe that it mostly a question of salt water. We bought a Sea Hunt Escape 220 a few years ago and it came with an aluminum trailer, but it was a salt water fishing boat sold in North Carolina. It was a wonderful trailer but not necessary in the Rocky Mountains with no salt water. I bought a Crestliner to replace the Sea Hunt and it has a painted trailer that would be eaten up by salt water in no time flat, but works great around here in fresh water lakes. Depends on where you are going to be using your boat I think.

[ffishman]

About 10 years ago, some guy was going to retrieve his 26' boat. It was his first time doing this. Launching was no problem he said. Anyway, it was a tandem axle trailer, and when he backed it in, IT FLOATED. I don't know why. This guy had a heck of a time getting the boat on it. Never did see, because we left. I don't know if the air in 4 tires was enough to do it, or maybe his trailer had sealed tubes that held air. Never did find out.

[Papascott]

Ranger has alum I beam frames available as an option. Pretty nice of you use you rig in salt or brackish water much.

I grew up fishing out a 20 ft wellcraft. It had an alum Ibeam trailer from the early 90s? Great trailer no frills but worked great. I believe it was Float-On brand?

My buddy has a tri axle Alum Ibeam for his 30 sportcraft. Great trailer but as stated in a prior posts, his too FLOATS! When retrieving his boat he has to actually back the trailer under the boat and use the boat weight to sink the trailer. He only uses it one time a year so he just deals with it. I personally would add weights or fill the tires with sometjing less bouyant.

[Bill Krejca]

Aluminum is normally more expensive than steel, so the price would tend to be more.

Re: floating - I would think a few strategically drilled holes would alleviate the floating.

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill Krejca

Aluminum is normally more expensive than steel, so the price would tend to be more.

Re: floating - I would think a few strategically drilled holes would alleviate the floating.

Bill

Would not do any good to drill holes in an aluminum I beam. I personally have never seen a tube/boxed aluminum trailer frame.

Only way I could see drilling holes helping would be to still holes in the tires? Lol

[jalichty@bresnan.net]

We had our aluminum trailer for five years and, to the best of my knowledge, it never floated when we backed it into the water to load the boat. However, I cannot say it would never float since we sold it after five years. Maybe it's a brand thing or something like that.