Hello - I am looking at purchasing a new trailer and am wondering if anyone has insight into any downsides to an all aluminum trailer. It is a little more expensive than the steel frame, but seems to be much easier to maintain. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Because there are no minimum trailer framing construction standards for the industry it is buyer beware -
A high end heavier built aluminum frame brand would be considerably higher in price compared to a steel or galvanized frame brand VS a (lightly built) more entry level priced aluminum framed brand.
My best advise is get inside a few brands if you can, jump up and down, bang on the walls, perhaps do a spread sheet of construction materials / size / gauge / spacing and use so you can compare.
Then, buy the most beefy and quiet trailer you can afford. In a perfect world the lightest leastest ( sp on purpose ) may be fine BUT it is your horse back there and you up there!
( PS all trailers need maintenance inside and out )
Risa
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Pretty good article here from Tom Scheve --keep in mind he owns and developed EquiSprit trailers --but he’s been around the horse trailer world for a long time --was at Merhow years ago --story is he wanted big design change (more windows, larger interior, more “horse friendly” overall —at that time, the story goes, Merhow was not receptive (would have been 1980s–late). Tom and Neve (his wife --I think she actually does the writing of their books on horse trailers) left Merhow and started EquiSpirit which was built to their specifications --now it seems many trailers, including Merhow, have added Scheve’s concepts of horse comfort and safety to their designs --at one time their EquiSpirit was built by Hawk Mfg. but I think now they have their own factory and build their own.
https://www.equispirit.com/info/arti…e-trailers.htm
But that doesn’t answer your question --personally, I like aluminum over steel frame --however --after reading Scheve’s article about the advances in steel to prevent rust, I’d look at that of an all steel trailer if I ever bought another trailer (stronger and same weight, Scheve says as an all aluminum) Currently I pull a Merhow 2h BP --from 2004 —it would have been built at the time Merhow was moving to the aluminum over steel. At 15 years old, my trailer looks new-- no rust -however, the aluminum floor is not “as good” as RUMBER or another rubber composite. I keep an eye on it (religiously) and hose it after every use (easy to do, flip over the back mat).
If I were to buy another trailer --I’d take myself to AQHA Congress (month of October in OH) where I’ve heard all the trailer manufacturers bring models for the public to look at --I’ve heard toward the end of the month, they actually sell these demos for a savings as they are now “last year’s model” and have been hauled all over for people to look at.
But at the very least, grab a copy of Neve Scheve’s book (on Amazon) Buying, Owning, and Maintaining Horse Trailers -and then look around at what’s in your price range.
Two other things —welds are the key to quality --look on line for pictures of good/bad welds. If buying used, have the trailer vetted by your own mechanic, and regardless, put a new fire extinguisher in your trailer.
If you are buying new --the best time to buy in January —I live in “The Trailer Capital of the World” --Elkhart IN. within 10 miles of my farm, there are three horse trailer manufacturers —LaKota, Merhow, and Bison (although Bison may be in the process of moving, just bought out). Sundowner has their LQ finished out here. In January, the factories are building on spec —no orders yet (been filled) --so to keep the employees working, the factories start building trailers and hope to sell them in the spring —if you call the factory directly, you may be able to negotiate the price down and/or get some free add on --after all --they want those trailers out of their so they can build new ones.
My husband made his living for many years as a negotiator --he got between Merhow and EquiSpirit (about 10 years ago), calling first one, then the other --seeing what they would do for him. By playing one against the other, I got a brand new trailer XXL with ALL the bells and whistles for the “base price” of a regular sized trailer. And don’t forget that fire extinguisher!
You never want to have to choose between unloading your horse on a 6 lane highway or letting him burn to death.
Oh, that new trailer the XXL left with my daughter and her really big horse when she moved to her own place. I acquired the littler Merhow then, used from a pal --great trailer!
I went with a steel frame, and aluminum skin. I wanted strength where it mattered (frame) while keeping it lighter than a solid steel. Plus it’s quieter than the all aluminum trailers I’ve been around. It may just have been the types/brands, but they were so rattle-y and shakey feeling.
 so glad no one was hurt. You could visually see all the extra welds I had put on it. Gives me chills[/I]
- Oh yeah for sure; definitely glad you sold it through a dealership! I have a friend in Florida who just sold a trailer privately in October.. new owners ripped out the LQ and are suing her for total purchase price plus repairs due to mold found behind the cabinets.
- [I]There’s so many things with trailers that you just don’t know - like, I thought <<trailer brand that broke>> was supposed to be a very solid brand! Scary to think either they’re not or this is a total lemon.[/I]
- [I]I actually learned that around 2005 and before the framing was welded together instead of being one piece which was why it would split there, now I check all older trailers my clients by and tell them to watch the floor and ceiling separation. The trailer I have now the front and back of the trailer welding is one big square, so there are no joints. It was a common build error w many brands unfortunately[/I]
- [I]My assistant has an older sundowner and it has similar issues and has been welded a few times. As long as you check it and stay on top of it, seems to be fine, if you know what your looking for its quite easy to see the fractures in the welding before it separates.[/I]
- [I]But I won’t own an older trailer ever again. Not truck. I learned the hard way too that it’s better to have warranty on everything I’m using[/I]
- [I]Cost of repairs ends up equally just buying new[/I]
- Really? That’s interesting! I’ve gotten by all these years with my handy little 3 horse bumper pull that I bought new in 04 [IMG]https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/td0/1/16/1f602.png). Still super solid and gets maintenance once a year for an overall checkup, BUT I really need something bigger in the next couple of years as I’ve got a couple 84” blanket, 16.3+ beefcakes... they fill out the trailer with dividers removed so it’s definitely not ideal. I never thought about the warranty aspect!
- [I]It was really only a problem w the bigger 6 plus trailers. The guy who fixed my said it’s from the twisting of the frame going down the road w that long of a trailer[/I]
- [I]The guys in Weatherford and both shops I have been to said they see it all the time[/I]
All AL is nice if you can afford it. Done well it is about as maintenance free a structure as you can get.
Done correctly AL on steel is just fine. But whenever you have dissimilar metals in contact if there is any moisture at all you will get some galvanic corrosion. In well engineered and built units there will be a barrier between the metals. If lower end units skip on this then you are set up for future problems. And the steel components have to be treated to provide corrosion resistance. Another are for the “bargain” trailer maker to cut some corners.
Always wear “grubbies” and take a flashlight when trailer shipping. Be ready to look “where the Sun doesn’t shine.” If you see quality construction there you are likely OK. But if you see less than quality then you know corners have been cut. Buyer beware!!!
G.
