Aluminum or steel trailer...

[gostovp]

I just found this older thread...I picked up a new (to-me) 2023 Can Am Defender and debating this same thing. I want a 14 or 16' tandem axle trailer for hauling it. I live in WI so the roads are heavily salted. Don't plan on doing much winter trailering, but we do get snow in the fall (deer seasons) and the spring time, so trailering in salted roads is a possibility. I get mixed feedback on both aluminum and steel trailers (and see a lot of both types around here). The anti-corrosion resistance of aluminum (albeit some good feedback on build quality in this thread) vs cheaper cost and likely better structural integrity of steel (with the higher likelyhood of rust and corrosion)...
If I did go steel, are there DIY treatments that are affective to help mitigate rust (like Fluid Film and whatnot?)

 

[Weldor]

Pressure wash the salt residue after use is probably better than relying on chemicals.

 

[gostovp]

its hard here in the Winter to get anything sprayed off unless I can get it over to a self-bay car wash (and there aren't any real close to me). I've watched a lot of YouTube videos on the lanolin based undercoatings and they seem to do a pretty good job of rust prevention.

 

[KurtR]

I just found this older thread...I picked up a new (to-me) 2023 Can Am Defender and debating this same thing. I want a 14 or 16' tandem axle trailer for hauling it. I live in WI so the roads are heavily salted. Don't plan on doing much winter trailering, but we do get snow in the fall (deer seasons) and the spring time, so trailering in salted roads is a possibility. I get mixed feedback on both aluminum and steel trailers (and see a lot of both types around here). The anti-corrosion resistance of aluminum (albeit some good feedback on build quality in this thread) vs cheaper cost and likely better structural integrity of steel (with the higher likelyhood of rust and corrosion)...
If I did go steel, are there DIY treatments that are affective to help mitigate rust (like Fluid Film and whatnot?)

Thats why i went aluminum and most every one else here goes that way for the sxs trailers. We go all over ice fishing and havnt had any problems

 

[Blockcaver]

We have a small aluminum 2002 Triton tilt deck (6'-8" wide x 8'-8" long) single torsion axle trailer bought used in 2007 in CO. Has a 1750# payload capacity. I put 10 ply (load range E) tires on it right away after purchasing it.

I've used it to move two Honda quads side-loaded to BC from CO, haul them around BC, haul a JD 480 backhoe attachment up from WA state, etc. I use it on rough logging roads all the time.

Had a Polaris RZR 800 for 12 years I hauled on the small Triton quite a bit, and now a Honda Pioneer 520 SxS.

Even have an aluminum 2019 Triton tandem torsion axle 16' long x +8' wide flat deck that gets used hauling quads and/or SxS's with backcountry trailers up north for moose and caribou hunts. Again zero issues with it. If I remember right it has around 4500# capacity.at

Sure like Triton aluminum open trailers. Not sure I'd say the same about the cheap aluminum trailer that are sold by the big box stores around me.

And I have a 2014 CargoMate steel frame enclosed 6'x12' trailer I use a lot as well...set up to haul the SxS or ATV, then used as a small living space for spring bear hunting. It works well too but isn't as well built as the Triton's are. It sees lots of rough spring logging road use and had a case of the spring shackle weld tearing away from the trailer frame box beam. My repair is better engineered and working well...and steel is/was easily welded after the failure.

 

[Weldor]

Welding powder coated aluminum is a pain, don't know why they insist on clear coating it. Steel is obviously easier to weld and takes the stress better. But it is nice to have the extra payload available with the aluminum trailer. They are costly down this way, but can sit in the sun for years with no I'll effects. Steel trailers and wood decks are not so capable of taking the weather.