All Steel vs. Aluminum Cargo Trailer- How Do You Decide?

Making a decision about which enclosed/cargo trailer best meets your needs depends on several factors. Should you splurge on an all steel cargo trailer, or is an aluminum sided cargo in your best interest? Each of these types of enclosed trailers have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The TrailerSmith will show you a comparison that will help you in making an informed purchase:

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Check out Texas Custom Trailers for your next trailer purchase. They offer a full range of parts and services available in store and on site. Tell them The TrailerSmith sent you!

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[TheTrailerSmith]

Making a decision about which enclosed/cargo trailer best meets your needs depends on several factors. Should you splurge on an all steel cargo trailer, or is an aluminum sided cargo in your best interest? Each of these types of enclosed trailers have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The TrailerSmith will show you a comparison that will help you in making an informed purchase:

Links to products that might be helpful:


DISCLAIMER: Some of the links included in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that we provide we may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting the channel so we can continue to provide you with content.


Check out Texas Custom Trailers for your next trailer purchase. They offer a full range of parts and services available in store and on site. Tell them The TrailerSmith sent you!
www.txcustomtrailers.com

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[ThriftyGarage]

We just finished rebuilding our 6 year old Spartan 7x14 enclosed trailer. Definitely some lessons learned in what to look for in our next trailer.

[jaybrooks]

I absolutely hate working on some of these cheaper ones that people use for commercial purposes! I’m glad you are addressing these issues!thanks

[mackellyman]

You just came up a few notches in my book; thanks for the much-needed info. Excellent content.

[BrandonLund]

You are so right. You really get what you pay for. In my opinion, go with a thick skin because oil canning looks cheap, one piece roof, go 16 on center floors and walls and look for quality axles like Dexter. I ran an all steel Wells Cargo commercially for years trouble free. Great channel! 👍

[PaulSchortemeyer]

Thanks - super informative content! I actually found the ‘double-square’ 8 point bit on Amazon too. I’ve got aluminum skin on steel frame and converted it to a camper. Be careful insulating since the frame members will become a thermal bridge through the walls. Best I saw is insulate the roof/walls, then add horizontal wood strips and insulate again. Keeps everything nice and toasty without cold spots 😊

[GibsonCRG]

Nice overview on steel-frame trailers. Coming from the horse world, there are several high-end trailers that are all-aluminum. It would be great to get your take on the all-aluminum trailer world, too.

[loganeley]

All Aluminum vs All steel enclosed trailers please?
Thank you so much for the excellent information and tutorials!

[sheltdog]

When removing stripped screws I use a car trim plastic removal tool. And far as the raw plywood floor underneath the trailer I’ve sprayed mine down with a diesel and kerosene mixture using two coats and it repels water. Good info for those looking to buy a box trailer and one more tip always look underneath at the welds. I’ve seen some welds on new trailers that looked like a two old had done!

[RoySmith-wgkv]

Super information, Sir. Thank you for this important post!

[marty]

Always good information! Thanks for what you do.

[BG-vqfd]

I ordered a brand I was familiar with and I suspect they had started to cheapen their quality to be competitive. I selected there high end construction model. Some of the key things I added were 040 skin, extra floor supports, and 6" extra height. I purchased this before covid was even heard of and it still took several months. I purchased it to move and consolidate because I was planning my retirement. I also used it to move my John Deere 4x4 mower or compact tractor. Now I would like to sell it and no one wants to recognize the value of the upgrades. I guess it's my loss.

[Redfour]

OK, you are the expert. And you are down to earth and practical and to the point. What if you were to want to buy a smaller cargo trailer to use as an off road trailer. I'm looking at a V front small as int 10 footer single axle that will go off road. Not looking for brands unless you can indirectly as you do here. WW is somewhat regional. They do appear to be high high quality. Cheyenne Wyoming is my closest from Helena MT.

[johnmcalisterjr]

I like the white trailer in the back ground looks good but is it .i been thinking about buying one for weekend use and to use as a storage shed

[JustTheGuy]

It seems very hard to find all steel trailers in the NW, any options out here?

[willknott]

What about the all aluminum trailers? I have an ATC 7x14. Been great so far, more expensive for sure. But I think it’s worth it.

[VRM-uusi]

What is the thickness of the steel skin on the all steel trailer? I'm in the process of rebuilding an Xtra Tuff Trailer (I laugh at the name now). The problem wasn't the skin material, it's how lightweight everything else was built. The main frame rails were 4X2X14ga when it should have probably been 11ga. The floor supports were 14ga sheet metal bent into a channel shape. The wall studs were Z-shaped 16ga sheet metal on 2 foot centers. Roof supports were U-shaped 16ga sheet metal. The support for the walls was cantilevered out from the main frame rails with some of this thin sheet metal. I had to reinforce the main frame rails, build new walls using 2X1 tubing, used 3X2 angle for the floor supports, and 2X1 tubing for the roof support. I think I added about 600 lbs of steel to the frame compared to the original frame construction. I had hoped to re-use most of the aluminum skin, but two pieces were badly damaged from where the wall broke loose from the main frame. The two sheets of prepainted aluminum were going to be about $300 . I decided to re-skin the entire trailer, including roof with 26ga coil stock for PBR metal roofing (about 43" wide). It was $300 for all the skin and roof material I needed for the 14 foot enclosed trailer, including having them bend two pieces for the rear corners of the trailer.

[danlux]

There’s one made in Canada that is a galvanized frame with aluminum upper.

[Chazski]

If you wanna try getting that screw out, make sure you wear safety glasses use a utility blade and slightly pry up as you back it out. Good luck.

[donnagetchell]

What town are you in? I’m in Texas also, Bryan/College Station area.