Steel Trailer in GA... Thoughts vs. Aluminum
 

I'm looking to getting an open trailer for pulling my P-Car. I know everything about an aluminum is Ideal.. No Rust, Lighter, etc... One problem is they are too expensive for me to justify, especially at the rate they are going for now. Used $5K!! That being said I can get my hands on a NICE 2007 Flat bed steel w/ tire rack and 3 foot Guard (stones etc.) for ~$2,200. I live in GA and plan to store it outside, How "bad" are the steel trailers?

I appreciate your feedback:thumbup:

They're fine.
Have had many, the current one is a '98 and has spent it's entire life outside.
Still light enough to move around by hand...but I don't have extra tire rack, etc.
Guess some are better than others, but the fact it's steel isn't a drawback.
Good luck!

They are fine, the only time I think an aluminum trailer is NEEDED is when someone is towing with a little SUV with very low towing capacity and needs to keep the weight down.

I agree with slant. Sure they are "heavier" but not by a lot. I picked up a 15' econo trailer that weighs 1300lbs. I can move it by myself, store it in the driveway of my townhouse (that is until the HOA finds out) and its cheap. If it breaks i can take it to any shop and they can weld it back together.

I had an 18 steel trailer before, and it was VERY robust. Sure you might get a little rust, but thats what a sander and black rustolem is for :)

I don't know where Cumming, Ga is, but I am going to replace my stolen steel 18" car hauler, wood floor, dovetail, ramps, for about $1,700 new, with new 6 ply trailer tires. The company is in Shelbyville, Tennessee, about 80 miles up Interstate 24, from the Georgia line. No tire rack though. The $500 extra, is probably well spent, to get the tire rack, and not have to drive to Tennessee. But, if it doesn't work out, these are good, and relatively inexpensive.

By the way, insure the darn thing. My homeowner's policy, only gave me $500, so I've got to come up with $1,200 to replace mine.

Bill Seifert

1987 944S Race Car

Ross,

If it was new, can I get some details. Mfg, model no., place you bought it, and the price you paid?

Thanks,

Mike

+1

I have and like aluminum.

Dave, with the drought we are having down here, i wouldn't worry about rust.

What are you towing it with?

V8 Touareg... 7,500 lb tow capasity.

This vehicle actually tows very well.. The wheel base is a little short but is doesn't search. Plus it has the air suspension so it will compensate when loaded.

The aluminum trailers have gone up because the cost of materials has gone up. A steel trialer will toss that touareg around quite a bit. You'll at least need an anti sway kit.

:confused::confused:

Seriously?

One nice thing about aluminum, as you have seen, is that although they are expensive, they hold their value, and are easy to sell used. I had a Trailex, loved it. I pulled a 993 with a 6 cyl. Explorer for 50k miles without a problem, and sold it in 10 minutes. I bought a used enclosed Trailex. Steel will almost certainly work fine, but the weight would concern me with a short wheel base vehicle.

Yeah, I would bet you will be looking for one after driving with a steel trailer and a lighter, smaller wheelbase SUV. If you had a bigger SUV or pickup, I wouldnt be so earnest, but in all seriousness, at least try it out to see.

I am friends with the owner of RPM trialers up by Road Atlanta, he may let you hook one up to test so you can see for yourself. I would do it at least for safety sake, you dont want to be fighting you tow vehicle all the way to the track, may hone you skills a bit, but that's better reserved for the track.

I don't think so...
A guy I know tows an enclosed 20' with one fine.
I towed a steel trailer with an Bravada...they're like only 1100lbs.