All-aluminum trailers need less maintenance than steel trailers. Simply put, this means less time maintaining your trailer and more time doing what you do and enjoying the things in life that matter.

Steel Trailer Maintenance

Steel trailers need more maintenance: greasing and keeping hinges and latches from rusting, washing and waxing, fixing chips, scratches and paint touch-ups. Steel trailer repairs are usually more expensive to repair due to the dealer having to prep and repaint the area to prevent rust.  Galvanized and galvannealed steel trailer repair areas have to be stripped of their zinc layer before they can be welded. After repairs are made, the zinc layer must be reapplied and prepared for a new coat of paint.

 Aluminum Trailer Maintenance

The most time spent maintaining an aluminum trailers is an occasional lubrication of the hinges and latches. If you use a high quality synthetic grease, you will even minimize this to a few minutes a year. Aluminum livestock and horse trailers require regular interior and deck washing out as animal and horse urine is corrosive. To regain that like new shine, an aluminum trailer should be given a cleaning using an aluminum trailer cleaner or acid bath every couple of years to clean and renew its exterior.

We are often asked about the strength of steel vs aluminum trailers. A closer look at the steel vs. aluminum trailer debate reveals the underlying issues of strength and durability over the life of the trailer.

Aluminum trailers use high grade alloys

The aluminum used in all-aluminum trailers is a high grade alloy, the same way that steel is an alloy of iron. This aluminum alloy yields about the same strength as steel! In fact, there are aluminium alloys with somewhat-higher tensile strengths than the commonly used kinds of steel. The alloys used in aluminum trailers contain at least 95 percent aluminum. The other five percent is composed of titanium, copper, zinc and chromium. Trace amounts of other metals are also added to enhance the property of the aluminum alloy. Our all aluminum trailers are built by a professional staff using the highest quality engineered extrusions and materials to provide you a lifetime product. Buy it once and spend time doing what you do, not painting and fixing rust. Learn more about aluminum alloys and aluminum extrusions.

Steel Trailers are strong but…

Steel is an alloy that is made by combining iron and another element, usually carbon. Carbon steel contains 0.2% to 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade desired. Carbon and other elements like manganese, chromium, vanadium and tungsten are used as hardening agents in the process. Proponents of  steel trailers in the steel vs aluminum trailer debate are quick to point out that steel has a longstanding reputation of being one of the toughest common alloys, while aluminum is more commonly known as pop can or foil material.

Steel trailer manufacturers have yet to come up with a process that makes steel as rust-resistant as aluminum. When considering aluminum vs steel trailers, you have to consider that steel trailer manufacturers have a galvanizing (dipping process) and galvannealing process (electrochemical process) which coats steel with a protective layer of zinc in order to retard corrosion. This galvanizing and galvannealing process is good but also expensive, so most steel trailers manufacturers only galvanize the skin of the trailer to keep costs low. The galvannealed steel trailers are often painted. Another process is the powder coating (baked process) of the steel. Over time, the elements and gravel can penetrate the paint, powder coat or the protective zinc layer. Without the proper maintenance and recoating of chips and scratches, this rust can destroy the deck that supports your precious cargo. The corrosion weakens the undercarriage and decreases the strength of the once strong steel materials. Why let rust literally eat away at your investment, your trailer’s appearance and your time? Get started with NutHouse Industries all aluminum trailers.