kgorman

I know everyone here is very keen on the open aluminum trailex trailers. My question is about holding value. Is it really true that aluminum holds it's value that much better than steel? Anyone have some examples to share?

I am trying to make the decision steel vs aluminum, and the low barrier to entry for an open steel is tempting. I am looking at a $2100 trailer + tax and license. The cheapest open aluminum trailer I can find even used is ~$5000.

For instance, if my $5000 aluminum trailer depreciates 5% ($250) over two years (completely hypothetical) and the $2100 steel trailer depreciates 15% ($315) over two years, then the steel is probably the better value considering the upfront investment. See my point?

I do know that aluminum has issues with stress cracks, and steel has maintenance to avoid rust. So they both have downsides and perhaps some maintenance costs.

I don't care about weight at all, my towing capacity is north of 12k.

I know that in the big picture, ~$2500 difference is not that big of a deal considering my DE budget, tires, etc, but I wanted to understand the exact nature of the Aluminum vs steel thing. I suspect this equation would become even more biased towards steel as you go to enclosed, larger trailers, etc. Even considering the cost of steel is rising.

spazegun2213

I have a steel trailer and the only reason I'd switch to a alu trailer is weight. However, the trailer i have is a little more dual use (sees my fathers tractor and other, bigger cars).

I've put a little over my steel trailer, scrapped the dove tail a number of times and I've never once thought about if i broke something. Thats the one thing steel gives me a a piece of mind knowing i cant break it no matter what i do (I'm very hard on things).

as for whats its worth, how long are you going to keep your trailer? If you are going to keep it for a long time what does its worth matter? I know the steel trailer will be worth less than 1/2 when i sell it, but buy then I'll be onto a nice enclosed trailer (read that as I'm keeping if forever ).

Bill L Seifert

Trailer World in Bowling Green, Ky quoted me about $4,000 for an aluminum trailer last year. Wally, the head dude there, is an SCCA guy, and knows trailers. However, I bought a steel trailer in Nashville Tenn. and it cost a little less than $1,700 delivered, new. We don't have a license requirement in Tennessee, but I get tags anyway, because of traveling out of state. They are only $14 a year. I pull with a F250 Super Duty, and probably would not save gas with the aluminum trailer, but it would sure be nice to be able to move it around by hand, by myself. It takes two people and a gorrila to move a steel one by hand.

I bought steel because I could not justify more than double the cost.

Bill Seifert

1987 944S Race Car

mhm993

If you purchase a lightly used Trailex, I don't see how you can go wrong resale value. I have an enclosed alluminum that I purchased used, driven it 10,000 miles with my F150, and I'm sure I'd have R listers standing in line to purchase it for the price I paid. A little expense for service, but no depreciation.

Veloce Raptor

I went through this debate recently. Given that I have a 9700 pound towing capacity, I came to the conclusion that the capital outlay for an aluminum open trailer was not worth it, even used. So I bought a used open steel trailer that is 2 years old & well maintained. The previous (original) owner added a nice rack for 6 tires, as well as a large all weather box that can hold my full tool box, tie down strapsm and all sorts of other crap.

It ain't pretty, but it does the job at a VERY reasonable cost.

I don't buy things that depreciate for resale value. I would rather sign the backs of my checks than the fronts.

Antonio

Aluminum is nice but at 2-3 times the cost of a perfectly fine steel unit, I just can't justify it. I'd rather take the money saved and "invest it" on my track car .

Crazy Canuck

buy a new Trailex. they have a promo on now. free aluminum rims and $300 off bolted units.

Kurt R

How far is your average tow, and over what sort of terrain?

I'm all for towing as light as possible, better gas mileage and less stress on the tow rig, especially the transmission. Just because your rig has a 40,000 lb tow capacity doesn't mean you have to run at the limit.

Edward

If you don't care about weight, then personally I'd buy steel just to save the money (which is significant). I did buy a Trailex, however, and was fortunate to find one used (and local to me!!! ), but not only did it take over a year to find one, but it was about 4500 for used! Not that I am complaining, mind you, especially when you consider the cost of these new. But since my towing cap is on the low-ish side, a trailex was the ONLY route available to me.

"Depreciation"?? I don't think there is such a thing when you're talking about a Trailex as these things simply disappear, almost immediately, as soon as they're listed. By contrast, I've see steel ones all day long, and they go for very little (so I "suppose" deprec. is pretty steep).

And you mention with alum there is an issue with "stress cracks" ; well I've never heard of an open Trailex (really nice, extruded pieces BTW) ever developing cracks or having such issues so frankly I'm not sure this really is a concern. Can't speak for the other alum brands, though.

FWIW, I love my trailex and hope never to part with it ...even if I do get a bigger rig.

Edward

Skip Wolfe

I vote for the steel trailer. The biggest beni of the aluminum trailer is the weight and that is a non-issue for you given your tow vehicle. The steel cost substantially less, is nice and rugged, and is easier to weld accessories - tire racks, etc., onto it.

penguinking

as i'm asking about this in another thread, i've come across the same issue.

for me, having never towed or owned aluminum, i think that its one of those "once you go aluminum you never go back" kinda like once you fly first you never go coach, which is why im gonna stay away from aluminum as long as possible

JPhillips-998

Prices of steel are way up this year so if you're looking at new to new, it may not be that huge of a difference. There is no quesiton that aluminum will hold it's value much better than steel and in the end will be much cheaper. The reason you can't find used ones is that they are purchased before being listed...

Other pluses for aluminum, other than towing capacity, is the ability to move it around without being hooked up, you don't need to be perfectly aligned w/your hitch receiver, zero maintanance for rust/paint chips and better fuel economy.

f1rocks

Prices of steel are down this year. Prices of Stainless, Nickel and Aluminum are up this year. I'm getting killed in PPV this year for those three, you should not be getting raped at all, well not as bad as before, on steel this year. If someone gives you that line they are not being truthful.

JPhillips-998

What do I know...just heard that from a few cage builders.

f1rocks

LOL It's an easy answer for them to give when they are raping us....

I live and die by the steel and stainless prices. Steel is down Stainless is continuing up.