Aluminum Boat Trailer

[Bowhunter74201]

i have an aluminum trailer, love it.

[fishn_pa]

I have an aluminum trailer and I am very happy with it so far.

[Bill Krejca]

Originally Posted by papascotul

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

Er... Yeah, drill holes in the tires - that's what I meant.

Have a good one.

Bill

[REW]

Aluminum trailers come with an additional price tag.
But they do not corrode as badly as steel and will maintain their aluminum look for a very long time.

I think that the only reason that you don't see more aluminum is the cost.

Many semi trailers have gone to aluminum trailers because of the weight.
Over the road trucks haul freight.
If the trailer weighs 2000 lbs, that is 2000 lbs of freight that can not be hauled when you meet the max road load weight restriction.

But, if you can run an aluminum trailer that only weighs 1000 lbs, that is an additional 1000 lbs of freight that can be hauled on the same road before exceeding the road weight restriction, or the tractor pulling ability.

In the typical boat trailer, the trailer weight is such a small part of the towed load, that the trailer weight tends to be not very important when considering reasons to switch to aluminum.

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Another reason for an aluminum trailer is that they never require any finish of any kind. No paint, no covering, and nothing to chip on the gravel. Sure you might get a rock gouge on the aluminum, but so what, that just adds a bit of character to the trailer.

good luck
REW

[Kevin R]

Originally Posted by minkman

Why don't you see aluminum boat trailers ?

They are common for boats that launch in Saltwater. I have mine custom made by Owens & sons in Saint Petersburg FL. they make a great trailer & are well know in the local area.

I have owned a few painted trailers, they rust, get chipped paint & weigh more. I have owned a few galvanized trailers they weigh more, just look ugly & will rust if used in saltwater. Most Aluminum trailers are not all aluminum some parts are galvanized like the tongue but a high quality aluminum trailer will use a stainless package, aluminum wheels including spare & few galvanized parts. The wood bunks along with my trailer being very light in weight will float not an issue if you use it to your advantage your boat weight as it pulls up the trailer self centers.

[REW]

Folks on this forum speak all of the time about fixing steel painted trailers that have rust and or rock chips on them.

This is in the Midwest, not the coast.

So, certainly aluminum trailers - like galvanized trailers have this advantage over steel in that there is no coating on the metal to chip and the aluminum will not rust.

Take care
REW