Steel vs. Aluminum Trailers

by Luis Jimenez Auto Transport And Manufacturing Business

When compared in terms of cost, trailers made entirely out of aluminum are more expensive than their steel counterparts. However, it is a common claim of steel trailer manufacturers that aluminum cannot bear the strain of trailering so much. Thus, buyers often feel perplexed when they have to choose between the two. Let us have a look at some of the differences between the two in order to understand which one is the better option for trailering.

Metallurgy for their masses : Steel is known to be one of the strongest alloys. Aluminum, on the other hand, is used more often for making cans and foil. The latter when used for manufacturing trailers in its pure form, however, is an alloy with a yield strength almost equal to that of steel. 95 percent of it is composed of aluminum, while the remaining 5 percent consists of zinc, titanium, chromium and copper. Other metals in trace quantities are added as well for refining the alloy even more.

High Maintenance : Both types of trailers require a significant amount of maintenance. The cam latches and hinges of the aluminum options need to be lubricated quite often. Moreover, they also must be cleaned thoroughly once in every two years to prevent any corrosion, be it a 5 or 4 car haulers. Steel trailers have to be inspected regularly for preventing rust and scratches. Any abrasion are repainted in order to resist oxidation. If it is galvannealed or galvanized steel, frequent maintenance would not be necessary. But the riveted and welded parts will have to be finished properly after each repair by removing the galvanic layer. However, this constant upkeep of the galvanic and paint coat can be quite expensive at times.

In Action : Since an aluminum trailer resists corrosion and rust and can do fine with low maintenance, it has better durability and gives a smooth tow as well as ride. The low weight of aluminum also gives a high payload capacity, which means the user can load a significant number of items without any difficulty. The ones made of steel, however, do not give that smooth a ride even when hauled empty.

Resale : Due to the fact that haulers made of steel are bound to rust, it often becomes a problem when reselling them. But aluminum haulers are rust and corrosion resistant, and can run like new even after decades of usage.

So, if you are planning to buy a steel or aluminium car hauler trailer, make sure you keep these things in mind.