The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum


Portsea Marine Australia
Go Back   The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum > BOATING FORUMS > Trucks & Trailers

Notices

Random Quote: Boating - Antichrist vs. the "honey do" list.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 01-02-2009, 04:14 PM
  #1    
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 14
Default Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Are aluminum trailers that much better for saltwater use than Galvanized trailers? Is this something I should consider when purchasing a boat?

Thanks
Ryan
flyfishingflorida.or is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2009, 05:23 PM
  #2    
Senior MemberCaptains Club Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Signal Hill CA.
Posts: 169
Default RE: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

They are lighter and more corrosion resistant (to a point) a poorly cared for alum. will fade away as will a steel one but scratches are not the problem as they are with galvanized, The other components ,axels,brakes,wireing,etc are all the same on either and where disimilar metals come in contact it should be watched as well. I noticed that the steel grounds for my lighting seems to be a bit of an issue where they attach to the trailer frame, All in all I would get an aluminum whenever I could, they also stay looking nicer when kept up.
grey goose is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Old 01-02-2009, 06:21 PM
  #3    
Senior MemberCaptains Club Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bensalem PA
Posts: 1,061
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Aluminum is by far better ,i had both kinds ,lighter to trailer and more durable >no worries about effects of saltwater and the gavanizing . By the way do not get a loadrite , mthe biggest POS ever built , just like a bolt together kit .
dannyscat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2009, 09:52 PM
  #4    
Senior MemberCaptains Club MemberPLEDGERPLEDGER
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Maui and SoCal
Posts: 6,767
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Please do yourself a favor and add Magic Tilt to the "not recommended list". Other than that, aluminum with torsion axles is the only way to go.
__________________
Kern O.
kerno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2009, 10:27 AM
  #5    
Senior MemberCaptains Club MemberPLEDGER
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NJ & FL
Posts: 12,408
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

After having many galvanized trailers, only aluminum WITH STAINLESS HARDWARE from now on.
__________________
Mike
http://www.thehulltruth.com/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=17887&dateline=132844  6335

Livin the dream...
Afishinado is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2009, 12:54 PM
  #6    
Senior MemberCaptains Club Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,258
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Aluminum is lighter and overall better, but galvanized is perfectly serviceable, especiually for smaller boats. The more important consideration is the components used on the trailer. Torsion axles are much better than leaf springs, but seldom ordered by boat dealers who strive to cut every nickel of cost. Kodiak disk brakes are better than Tie down Engineering disc brakes which are far better than drum brakes. Drum brakes are troublesome. Some trailers use cheap tires, some use better tires. Aluminum trailers are usually, but not always, bunk trailer design. This works well with reasonably steep ramps, such as most public ramps, and you can drive the boat on an off the trailer. But if you use flat, shallow ramps, it can be difficult or impossible to launch from a bunk trailer. In that scenario a roller trailer is the much better choice. Galvanized roller trailers are common. Buy the type of trailer that meets your boating needs and has the best components.
__________________
-Bob


Dusky 233FC w/ Etec 250
1967 Winner Marathon w/ 115 Chrysler
16' Prindle Cat
itwonder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2009, 02:43 PM
  #7    
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cape Coral Fl.
Posts: 335
Send a message via ICQ to biposto
Default RE: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Absolutely ! No queston !
__________________
biposto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2009, 05:05 PM
  #8    
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cape Coral, Florida
Posts: 4,035
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

I am very happy with my Magic Tilt Aluminum trailer, it has been trouble free with the exception of one marker light that I replaced. Mine has the LED lights. I would recommend Magic Tilt.
john3976 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2009, 05:31 PM
  #9    
Admirals Club
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: somewhere in FL
Posts: 971
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Quote:
kerno - 1/2/2009 8:52 PM

Please do yourself a favor and add Magic Tilt to the "not recommended list". Other than that, aluminum with torsion axles is the only way to go.
I second that motion! Do not buy Tragic Tilt. Also be sure that they are all the same metal material to the extent possible. Avoid aluminum frame with galvanized cross members (bad juju). IMHO aluminum is the way to go. It will also be easier to resale later when/if you decide to sell the boat.
jeremyj is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 07:33 AM
  #10    
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 927
Default Re: Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers

Absolutely.....aluminum..........I have a 1996 Tragic Tilt....aluminum roller trailer....bought new..........the only problem with the trailer was fixed axles...that ultimately should be about a foot forward...........for the boat that I am carrying. Other than that, with a semi annula clean up/ polish it has held up well.................all advise given spot on........pay particular attention to getting torsion axles...and Kodiak SS brakes...on whatever you buy......
Pursuit2470 is online now   Reply With Quote
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Trailers: Bunk or rollers - Galvanized or aluminum? sheller The Boating Forum 5 10-18-2007 08:47 AM
Trailers - Aluminum vs. Galvanized Surfhunter West Coast 9 09-11-2006 09:00 PM
Aluminum vs. Galvanized trailers tubbyama The Boating Forum 16 09-16-2005 12:33 PM
Aluminum vs. Galvanized Trailers Eagle10 The Boating Forum 62 12-07-2004 01:20 PM
Trailers - Galvanized or Aluminum jimy The Boating Forum 19 09-19-2003 12:19 PM

 



©2009 TheHullTruth.com

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0