The last few years I’ve been seeing more and more aluminum trailers under boats up here. Does anyone have one themselves? Pros/cons? Is there any reason other than price not to have one?
The salt guys all have them for obvious reasons and if I ever buy a new rig off the lot I’d love to have one too.
Aluminum or galvanized ? Most guys I know running in the salt season are getting galvanized
I have a aluminum utility trailer. I’ve had it for years and it still looks like the day I bought it. I think you would be very happy with an aluminum boat trailer.
with my pontoons I had aluminum trailers, didn’t want rusty trailer
Bought new boat last year and priced a aluminum trailer and not 100% but seems like it was about a 3000.00 dollar upgrade. just didnt need it
My last big boat (Pro-Line 24wa) had an I-beam aluminum trailer.
Pretty common to see under boats that style, mainly because most are sold in coastal saltwater areas.
It held up nice trailering in Minnesota, but really no different than the galvanized trailers under my Lund and Grady I have now.
They do look sharper, especially if you polish it once a year, but you really can’t go wrong with either of them.
Sidenote: if any of you ever are in the market for a wheelhouse, I wouldn’t consider any frame that’s not galvanized or made out of aluminum.
I had a Robalo boat that came with an aluminum trailer. Thought it was a great idea. I didn’t keep the boat very long as it wasn’t quite what I needed. I would absolutely buy aluminum if it were an option. I hate rusty, paint flaking trailers.
My Grady White came with an aluminum trailer. For the most part, it stayed looking good! Sold it to a couple up on leach and it’s still looking clean! My winter Lund boat here in AZ has a galvanized trailer, seen no saltwater but holding up great even with all the gravel roads! Other then the weight difference, I Don’t think you could go wrong with either one!
If it’s designed properly it shouldn’t be an issue. However just remember the axles, suspension, coupler, jack, etc. will still be steel so rust will still be a factor. Aluminum is much more prone to fatigue and damages easier, so rough roads can do a number on them if you aren’t careful. Also inspect the welds regularly.
All of my enclosed trailers have been aluminum and my current one is rated for 10k lbs. so they can definitely hold some weight.
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