new trailer all aluminum or steel/alum

[Oilboy]

'well some one decided they needed my sled and trailer more than I did last week, pulled into valemount to a empty spot where it sat for the last 3 winters.
so im in the market for a new trailer and I guess ill be snowchecking a new 850
whats everyones thoughts on all aluminum or steel/alum
I had a mirage xtreme snow that I had all decked out the way I wanted it and it still looked great after 4 winters, ( I washed it lots)

looking at a mission that's decked out next week but not sure which way to go

pros/cons?

any one looking to sell a 8.5 by 20 ish trailer?

 

[DDrake]

Sorry you lost your stuff bud. I have a steel frame aluminum body enclosed TNT 22' that we bought new 5 yrs ago that is holding up nicely. If you are doing a lot of bush roads with rough terrain then I think the steel frame will hold up a little better than aluminum IMO but there is a weight penalty from the steel frame. The aluminum unit will be lighter to pull for sure, not sure of the actual weight difference between the 2, plus you won't have the unsightly rusty frame on the underside to deal with. I gravel guard mine at the end of every season which wouldn't be necessary with an aluminum frame. Good luck with your search.

 

[chickenman]

Love the Legend all aluminum 7x29! its different to stagger the sleds, but lots of room still with the 174s and my f150 pulls it like its not there! Highly recommend them! Firefly in here is the distributor and super knowledgeable on everything trailers.

 

[Oilboy]

with the 7 foot wide trailers can you run the sleds side by side or do they have to be staggered 1 ski length, with my old trailer I had more than a foot between them, the 7 wides do look like they would pull nicer, especially now that I dont see leaving my trailer in valmount any more as a option

 

[Woodsie1984]

I had an aluminum frame trailer before my steel frame trailer and like DDrake said the aluminum doesn’t hold up on tougher roads, I was constantly welding the frame, they are light wall and just crack in front of the weld every time. I sold it and bought a steel frame, way heavier but frame isn’t cracking, just not happy with rest of the trailer, it’s a stealth trailer and I wouldn’t recommend one.

 

[cgreig]

Running a legend with aprox 80000 km. All aluminum 5200 lb axles car hauler style with a v nose. No issues at all, well built and very happy with it.

 

[zal]

with the 7 foot wide trailers can you run the sleds side by side or do they have to be staggered 1 ski length, with my old trailer I had more than a foot between them, the 7 wides do look like they would pull nicer, especially now that I dont see leaving my trailer in valmount any more as a option

7 footers, you have to stager them.
I have a Legend 7 x 25 and do like the trailer.

 

[hardcorex]

Is that 7x25 a 20 ft sidewall? Will it hold 3 174s?

 

[Keith Brown]

Here’s Twobits from the peanut gallery. Aluminum trailers are lighter then steel. Two factors two consider. #1 If payload is a issue for your rig then the aluminum is the ticket. #2 If your hauling a lotta miles and the reduced weight of aluminum will pay for itself in fuel consumption then aluminum is the ticket again. IMO Aluminum framed trailers cost more and are less durable and are a waste unless you can justify having them for the above reasons.

 

[LennyR]

Equipped apples to apples, same brand or same quality , what would the actual weight difference be between a steel and aluminum ? Say a 22 ft .

 

[zal]

I prefer the fact that aluminum will still look good after 5 years of uses with regular washing and taking care of it compared to a steel frame with aluminum shell. You see a lot of steel/aluminum trailers with speed holes after 2-3 years.

 

[pfi572]

Equipped apples to apples, same brand or same quality , what would the actual weight difference be between a steel and aluminum ? Say a 22 ft .

10-15%

https://www.fthr.com/owner-support/trailer-use-and-care/aluminum-trailers-vs-steel-trailers

 

[brew_doo]

Love my Legend 7 x 23. Pulls great. Fits 3 sleds with room for gear etc... I recommend contacting Firefly on the site for a price on a quality Legend trailer.

 

[vodoo103]

With Steel, your biggest battle is going to be corrosion. Drove me crazy trying to battle it.
You have to decide how long you want to keep it, what you are realistically using it for, how many miles it's going to see, what type of roads it's consistently going down and what your budget is.

I've had two different enclosed steel trailers, a previous enclosed Aluminum and all were getting pretty rickety when I sold them. Wanted something that was going to last and look good for at least 10(+) years this time. Ended up picking up a Mission Aluminum car hauler 4 years ago. Not light but solid & don't have to fight rust. With the heavy frame & rear door, don't have to worry about over-stressing it with what I'm using it for either. Lower trailer with heavier axles holds the road really nice especially compared to my first trailer that was really bad for body roll & bouncing.

 

[Too Many Toys]

I agree with Vodoo. I also bought a mission car haulier two years ago. I absolutely love it. Built strong and handles the road very nice. This winter I hauled it down to Arizona, full of toys, and back without an issue.

 

[Oilboy]

Thanks guys. I ended up getting a good deal on a all aluminum mid deck 8.5x21, now the fun begins getting it ready for next winter,
I’ve already got a bunch of super glides,super track, and a heat runs put in
anyone have a line on a couple nice base cabinets for the front was thinking the metal garage ones from Costco. 1drawer one 1 cabinet style for hiding battery’s and inveter.