I was a Naval Aviator for 24 years (sixteen years in the cockpit), a maintenance officer for many of them, a Corrosion Control officer (meaning I spent some time learning about metals), and a Safety Officer meaning I learned about metal failures. I’ve some experience, too!
Did you note that part about “properly engineered?” If we can build ships out of the material then we build a horse trailer out of it IF the builder knows their stuff. Using the aircraft example is to note it’s has flexibility. Using the marine example is to note it can be very robust.
You’re insurance level has no connection to the performance of the material.
You’re assertion that the material is unsuited to being used in a horse trailer is flat, dead wrong.
I agree. Totally. The general assumption that Aluminum is inferior is absolutely incorrect. But just like steel or any other material, engineering and formula has to be correct for the given job. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy an all aluminum horse trailer or anything else as long as it was engineered for the purpose.
I don’t believe I said anywhere that it was inferior. What I said is both have drawbacks and the negatives of aluminum for me out weight the negatives of steel. And yes, when one of the problems with aluminum trailers is they don’t hold up well when something that they are NOT designed to do–like get bumped in a busy parking lot–creates expensive damage, that I choose not to have collision insurance is a pretty big deal. Maybe you’ve not witnessed minimal events total an aluminum trailer, but I have.
You say: “I don’t believe I said anywhere that it was inferior.”
Then you say: “What I said is both have drawbacks and the negatives of aluminum for me out weight the negatives of steel.”
I think you just did say, again, what you say you didn’t say before!!!
And then you say: “And yes, when one of the problems with aluminum trailers is they don’t hold up well when something that they are NOT designed to do–like get bumped in a busy parking lot–creates expensive damage,”
Can you show me a single horse trailer brand that is designed to “get bumped in a busy parking lot”? No matter what it’s made of? If the trailer is properly designed it will absorb damage at the level of it’s design.
If your purpose is to say that AL is more expensive to repair I’ll likely agree based upon my rather extensive experience with AL structures. I will NOT agree, however, with your second sentence, above. That is your opinion. You are entitled to your own opinion; you are not entitled to your own facts!!!
Now against this acknowledged cost differential to repair you have to balance a somewhat lower weight, meaning better mileage, meaning fuel savings. AL is MUCH more corrosion resistant than steel and requires significantly less preventive maintenance (painting, waxing, etc.). In a relatively dry climate, like CA away from the ocean, the delta on corrosion issues will be smaller than it will in a wet climate like the west side of the Eastern mountains.
The material that you choose for trailer is your business. Buy what you want to buy. Don’t, however, dismiss other materials just because they don’t fit your particular experience(s).
G.
P.S. Regarding flexibility and strength, the wings tips of a B-52 can have a difference of up to 26’ between their position on the ground and the wing flexing at a maximum effort pull up. Large excursions also occur on the C-5 series, 747 series, and A330/340 series aircraft. These are not horse trailers but they demonstrate that properly designed AL structures are quite robust. Of course you don’t even want to think about the repair costs if you damage the wing on one of these machines!!!
I have a 2005 Merhow all aluminum trailer. It looks nearly new.
I have a 2014 Bee bumper pull. It’s galvaneal. It looks good, does the job, and saves me from towing a living quarters trailer all over. I don’t expect it to hold up like the Merhow though.
All I can say is I welcome anyone to try to back into my 2003 C&C. I doubt it would even leave a scratch. There’s a tank, and then this thing - which is 100% aluminum except for the axles, coupler, and spare tire rim.
I’ve seen an awful lot of steel trailers that look like absolute s**t after 15 years, though.
Agree. Aluminum skin on steel frame. My one is a 1997 model and no issues. I’ve been in plenty of parking lots moving stuff for myself and people and thank goodness never had an issue with someone hitting it. Guess I’m lucky.
For the inside of trailers, I’ve found that ABS - (sheets of black plastic) hold up much better than rubber - which gets gouged or wood which rots and splinters. All four trailers of mine had ABS sheets and looked brand new after many years of hard use.
I have a 1996 all aluminum 4 star 2H GN that is in terrific shape. Also, as has been previously discussed, the issue to watch for is contact between a steel frame and an aluminum skin, that was a problem with some Sundowner trailers in the past. I prefer the lighter weight of the aluminum trailer, as it helps my mileage. My trailer has matting on the walls, and I have no problems with dents, but then my horse (and her guests) don’t kick in the trailer.
I forget who said it, but I’m pretty sure all aluminum trailers are NOT built on steel frames. Hawk does a steel frame with aluminum skin, but in general all-aluminum trailers are just aluminum with steel used only on the axles (not the frame).
I don’t recall that galvanic corrosion was an issue with Sundowner trailers. They used an undercoating on their frames that allowed moisture to become trapped between the undercoating and the frame itself which caused severe perforation and total frame replacement.
Not in response to the quote, but all aluminum trailers are in fact quite easy to find, mine is one and it’s 15 years old - I do not personally buy or want steel frames as the salt in New England just destroys them if they are ever driven even in the rain.
You are correct about the Sundowners. But I recall another brand, from the same time frame, that had some issues because they failed to properly put a barrier between metals in contact and that cause some very expensive repairs to be made. The brand name escapes me. Getting old, I guess!
I was reminded about it intently when installing the gooseneck in the bed of my all-aluminum F250. They warn you about 567 times to apply undercoating to the exposed aluminum surface as well as use urethane tape.
When I was doing research prior to the purchase of my trailer I came across many reports on various sites of issues with Sundowner trailers having problems with powdercoat/flaking/corrosion and based on that, I avoided them. Several of the threads were on COTH: https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/off-course/32722-owners-of-sundowner-trailers-with-powder-coated-frames-new-information-page-2 While all of the information I found was anecdotal, no Federal lawsuits or company disclosures, there were enough reports over different platforms to steer me away from the brand during the years the trouble was reported.
Trailers are not regulated like cars. There would probably never be a “company disclosure” or federal Lawsuit ever related to a manufacturing defect in a trailer.
