Three Reasons You Should Opt For Aluminum Equipment Trailers Over Steel Equipment Trailers

When looking for equipment trailers, one of the main factors you need to consider is the build material. With that said, the most common build material option for equipment trailers are steel and aluminum. Even though both are viable options, they defer in terms of the benefits you can get from either.

As a result, before deciding whether to go for a steel or aluminum equipment trailer, it is advisable to weigh both options. With that said, here are three reasons why aluminum equipment trailers are considered a better option compared to steel equipment trailers.

Less Weight 

Aluminum has a density of 0.098 lbs/in³, whereas steel has a density of 0.284 lbs/in³. Thus, steel is at least two and a half times denser than aluminum. Subsequently, steel is also at least twice as heavy as aluminum. 

When buying an equipment trailer, the weight of the equipment trailer will affect a couple of factors: fuel economy and and towing capacity.

a) Fuel Economy

Fuel economy gets affected by weight in the sense that a heavy equipment trailer forces the engine to put out more power to pull it. The more power the engine has to put out, the more fuel it consumes per mile.

Thus, you get to enjoy better fuel economy with a light equipment trailer than you get with a heavy equipment trailer. Therefore, since aluminum is lighter than steel, opting for an aluminum equipment trailer guarantees you enjoy better fuel economy than a person with a steel equipment trailer of the same size.

b) Towing Capacity

Towing capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight that a vehicle can pull/tow. Thus, the maximum load weight you can tow with your vehicle and trailer is equal to the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle minus the weight of your equipment trailer. Thus, the lighter the equipment trailer, the more load weight capacity you have left. Hence, an aluminum trailer is the best option because it won't utilize a significant portion of your vehicle's towing capacity. Thus, leaving you with sufficient towing capacity to pull heavier loads.  

Rust Resistance

Steel is prone to rust, and as a result, a steel equipment trailer needs to get galvanized. However, galvanization involves adding a layer of zinc on the surface of the steel to prevent water from accessing the steel and setting the rusting process in motion. Nonetheless, it is possible to buy a galvanized steel trailer. 

However, when your galvanized steel equipment trailer gets dented or scratched, the zinc coating can rub off, leaving an exposed area for rust to develop. Thus, with a steel equipment trailer, the risk of rusting is high.

However, aluminum, on the other hand, is impervious to rust. Thus, there is no need to coat the aluminum equipment trailer to protect it from rusting. In fact, rust is a factor you never have to worry about with an aluminum equipment trailer.

Easy Repairs

Due to its low density, aluminum is more malleable than steel. Thus, it is easier to repair an aluminum equipment trailer than it is to repair a steel equipment trailer.

For instance, when an aluminum equipment trailer gets dented or damaged, it is easy to cut out the damaged section and have a replacement piece welded in place. However, you have to grind the damaged/cut area before welding a replacement part for a damaged steel equipment trailer.

Thus, grinding becomes an additional repair expense, and furthermore, the ground part is left un-galvanized, which could later facilitate rusting in the future.

Contact a local equipment trailer dealer to get more advice.