Aluminum trailer owners need to see this!!

our buddy has a trailer with a small problem! aluminum trailers are nice and all, but when they break its not an easy fix!!!

[justinhess]

I ran one of the largest trailer plants in the country before branching out on my own. Before I came the aluminum was never cleaned before welding so there was no penetration. I hired the best welders I could find and outsourced weld engineers to lock down the process. Wasn't easy to maintain and we still had issues from time to time but I know most manufacturers don't do it right.

[mikepitzen]

Had the same issue with galvanic corrosion, which weakened the aluminum rails. Caught it before the steel dexter axle went through and welded a .25 inch aluminum plate over corrosion and used a plastic insulator between new plates/steel axle - works great now, but can’t understand why it wasn’t manufactured with an insulator between different metals….

[ZacharyThompson]

Galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals, causes the aluminum to corrode quicker than the steel can rot out due to the aluminum being more anodic. The steel is more cathodic, meaning it's more inert or doesn't change its structure as quickly as the aluminum.

[camarogreen]

Absolutely look over the frame on any aluminum trailer. My first full aluminum trailer had both frame rails break right were the axle bolted to the frame. Literally snap the trailer in two. My current full aluminum trailer, 14 ft., is built way better.... thicker wall tubing. I always check it over now after my previous experience. Great Video guys!!!

[peglegjim]

Anti ice agents that are applied to winter roadways are also a huge contributor too!
We can’t use any sodium/salts on airports for this very reason.
An aluminum snowmobile trailer used primarily on treated roadways is a recipe for disaster, as this video plainly proves.
I run 2 trailers.
An aluminum for my Ural Gear Up in the summer, and a steel frame for winter projects.

[Ryan-vorm]

I bought a new steel trailer couple years ago and oil sprayed as soon as I got it home, and everyone asks me why I didn't go with aluminum.. I tell them because we live in Canada and your video proves why and plus they'll cost 2 - 3, 000$ more.

[hammer-r]

Well Tks for the video. I am in the market for a 7 or 8.5 By 18 toy hauler and seriously considered an aluminum trailer. Everywhere I asked if aluminum could handle rough roads and gravel pot holed roads and they would all say yea of course. I liked the light weightless of them but yea aluminum is soft and I’d worry about longevity. So I guess steel is the one for me and save a lot of money too.

[kylecrawford]

Good for you for making this video. It's the best way to call out these companies and inspire them to improve. We bought a camper 2 years ago, and I just can't believe the poor craftsmanship. We even paid ten thousand more than two guys I work with in the name of higher quality. What a joke and waste of money that was.

[Colt.]

Really appreciate the video. I was considering an aluminum cargo trailer to convert to a travel trailer but was hesitant because I know from experience screwing fasteners into steel and aluminum that the steel definitely is better.

[justaviewer]

Wow. Thanks. I'm currently trailer shopping and thought aluminum was the way to go but between this video and some other chatter I'm finding, perhaps not.

[dmitrybatishchev]

Holy mother of god… this is unreal. But if you and your friend could give us some sense on age, milage and load it was carrying - it would help us out a lot.

[edmundh]

I was about to buy a used Legend aluminum trailer. hard pass now. I'm glad I found this video. thanks!!

[jaybrown]

I’ve had to replace 2 piano hinges on the ramp door which is a big job as you have to take up the floor and the walls are built on the floor. 2 hinges in 12 years. And the back corners cracked and 2 beams cracked. The floor was also warped and sagging.

[yoshy]

Not to mention all the wiring is spliced using what used to be called Scotch lock connectors, even in the main harness going to the tow vehicle. So you buy a finished trailer and have to tear it apart to find a bad connection. Like the man said, check it over.

[tdav]

Nice video and advice. I learned some valuable information 👍

[dinosaur]

They (or I guess you, now) should be reinforcing the aluminum tubing by putting wood inside those channels. Especially in the areas supporting the axles. A lot of RV manufacturers do it that way. Well, they use a steel chassis with an aluminum box but they do use wood inside some of the weight-bearing aluminum tubing.

[JC-nknk]

The legend trailers have not gotten better unfortunately.. a friend of mine bought a brand new one for his side by side and it broke on the highway the first time he used it. The deck welds broke from the frame, and the tongue bent.. scary situation, , always buy steel..

[shutupstoopid]

Couple of layers of packing tape between the steel and aluminum would help

[U.S.SlaveOfficial]

Looks like maybe galvanic corrosion issue on all the steel, axle, Jack, hitch tounge, locking handles, ect... for newer trailer steel looks worse than my 40 year old utility trailer. Given the higher cost of featherlite trailers if that gets ya better build as to eliminate such issues cheaper aluminum trailers may be cutting corners on.

[drmarkintexas-]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏
Thank you for sharing
They're very scary.