fantastixvoyage

Seeing as the trailer under my boat doesnt fit perfect i am in the market for a new trailer. I've always figured I'd stay with aluminum for the weight savings and the resistance to corrosion. Also, I have a 3500 now but considering down-grading the truck to a 2500 so the weight may come into play. However a buddy has offered me a killer deal on an Eagle steel trailer.

Talk me into it...what advantages do I have going to steel????

Also, whats a good price for a late 90's, triple axle in near perfect shape (27-31' boat)????

Tony Montana

Stronger and supposed to tow better. I had a steel trailer and went to alum one. I feel they towed about the same. Do you boat is salt? Other atvantage is a steel one will not float!! I would say a fair price depens on condition and current brake setup. For a perfect condition with elec/hyd brakes I would say $6000. For a ok to good condition with drum or no brakes(or they need work)$2000 to $3500. Steel trailers weigh about 40-50% more then alm one.

fantastixvoyage

Not sure but I would assume surge. Drums on all 3 axles. Price was $3k and he swears it has less than 100miles and stored inside since new. looks like it too!

Any idea on weight for a trailer of this config? 2k, 3k, 4k??? i'd purely be guessing...

fossil fuel

Steel is for lots of things but for trailers aluminum is the best..don't buy a surge brake trailer for a large boat. Elect over hyd!!

fantastixvoyage

Agreed EOH is the way to go. But we are also only talking about a 29' boat here, a conversion to EOH would potentially be in the future.

Last thing...

If a trailer is rated at 12k but my boat weighs closer to 7k will the suspension be extra stiff??? Or is this triple axle comperable to a dual rated at say 7500lb?

bowtie

Aluminum flexes, if the boat is 27' and the trailer is 33' you might have a problem. The bow must be supported, not just tied or strapped back. If the boat fits and is adjusted perfectly, it's as good as steel. If not you'll break the aluminum I beams. Also some aluminum trailers hang all the brackets from the bottom, which tends to oblong the mounting holes in the I beams. I use galvanized trailers, I know they're ugly but they're strong and in 10 years they're still just ugly, not rusted.

Hot Knots

If you boat in salt, go steel. Fresh water you can go with aluminum. I would keep my 1 ton truck if I were you. A 27-31' rig will weigh 7000-9000lbs all up. I have a dually and towed my 6000lb boat/trailer with it and never once thought to go to a 2500. I like having more truck than I need. Less wear and tear on it.

Tony Montana

It should work fine for your boat. Weight should be about 2000 to 2800lbs. If it is very good shape $3K is a fair price.

Chris Sunkin

Aluminum does flex. They don't tow nearly as solidly. And the aluminum work-hardens over time. Just saw one 2 weeks ago with the tongue snapped off. Stopped to see if I could help the guy- on the interstate. That's why many of the better ones are twin-member the whole length.

northernoffshore

steel tow much better on the crappy roads up north. The aluminum trailers flex bad and are for salt water. Nice phantom, What is in it for power?