Covered Trailer for ATV and Snowmobile – Steel or Aluminum?

Looking to buy a new 7×12 covered trailer for hauling atv or snowmobile to the ice. I cant decide on whether to get steel or aluminum. The aluminum upcharge is approximately $1,000. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks

How long do you plan on keeping it?

Either way a trailer that size should tow good.

Aluminum might be better if you want to tow it with an atv when you get it to the lake.

I just bought a 8.5 x 18 plus 5 v front. It was 2,000 to upgrade to aluminum. I couldn’t justify the expense and it pushed it above how much I wanted to spend. Aluminum will probably be a little lighter. As far as resale, it should follow the cost of an upgrade.

Thanks for your response. Plan on keeping it for 10 years or so.

I would say if your budget allows then, go aluminum. I don’t think you will regret upgrading. Aluminum handles the salt quite a bit better.

After 10 years, you will probably have rust issues with steel and metal fatigue cracks or broken welds to deal with with aluminum. Kinda a toss up, either way keep up on your maintenance and see if you can find anyone making a galvanized steel frame.

I have owned both.. steel first, lasted about 7 years… pretty much withered away. Then I bought my aluminum trailer in 1995..just hauled the wheeler to the cabin with it

I would never ever buy steel again. I had a steel frame enclosed that last 5 years and was basically falling apart. I pressure washed it often through out the winter to remove salt. 3 years ago went with the aluminum and what a difference. Both in weight and longevity I will gain. It looks brand new and pulls easily behind the wheeler to take on ice. The price upgrade is 1000% worth it to buy aluminum.

Aluminum