Bunk differences alum vs steel...
 

finally buying a new trailer for the old lad......around here I can get the alum and steel for virtually the same price.....both tandems with 5200lb axles and disc surge on both axles.....

I notice virtually all the aluminums I look at have the same bunk set up (this one is Wesco) where it has two massive bunks that sit under the chines and two smaller ones at the front where the steel Im looking at (a locally made trailer) has four long main bunks under the boat and four smaller ones at the front which all "self adjust".....whats best????

Im on the fence on which to buy but with the steel a custom color (of my choice, to match the boat) is no extra charge which I like.....I boat in fresh water only and the boat and trailer sit inside my shop when not in use

The best bet is get the aluminum trailer with the race bunk set up ( like the steel trailer ) !!!!!!!

If you never plan on launching in salt, the steel is stronger.

I had a loadmaster alum w/ the bunk setup u described & it was a pita to make sure the transom lined up perfectly on the bunks. my manning has more bunks in a v-shape that basically guide it right up to where it needs to sit. much easier.
the alum trailer will also float & will shift positions in strong current. had to learn to work in tandem to back trailer down as i was pulling boat on.

i would like to get another alum, but when i do it will be a myco. their bunks are the same as typical steel trailers.

MMMhhhhhh.....u can put bunks on any trailer u want.

But the Myco is a nice trailer for shure !

After having electric/hydraulic discs, I would never do surge again. Doug

My Manning aluminum trailer has bunks just like a steel trailer. It has all the bunks set up for the twin steps and is very nice.

yeah myco & manning both use c-channel alum beams. it seems the other makers use the i-channel which then they just use u-bolts to hold everything together. i havent seen any of those i-channel vendors w/ a bunk setup that cradle the hull.

wonder why the differences in bunks......????

Labor cost ! :party-smiley-004:

Get the aluminum, it doesn't matter where you boat now, but when you go to sell it, coastal people like me won't even look at a boat with a steel trailer. Why eliminate a huge portion of your buying public especially in this economy?

I agree

Then there are people like me who won't consider an aluminum trailer. Goes both ways. :)

I said this months ago and got chastised for it. I wholeheartedly agree.

I suppose thats true but Im a LONG way from any salt and anyone who would travel all the way from salt to buy my boat would have to be insane:drink::drink:

I think Ill end up with the steel custom painted the deep purple to match the boat with the alum wheels and maybe the stainless fenders if he doesnt want too much for them:hitit: D

U can aluminum powdercoated any color u whant and they also come with nice diamond plate fenders !!!

:party-smiley-004:

Myco and Manning offer custom painted aluminum trailers that look identical to the steel versions.

wouldnt diamond plate end up rusting all over the aluminum?? I have found my diamond plate rusts from the underneath from the water sitting. Im going to take it off mine & just use some grip tape.

That's not the point, aluminum will be fine in salt and fresh, steel fine in fresh only. My opinion is from the fact I bought a Lake Havasu boat with a pretty purple steel trailer, it lasted two seasons...not worth it and I'll never do it again. In this market resale should be considered when making a selection.

Well then I'm certifiable because I live in CT and bought a boat from AZ a few years back!!

Me too, live in AZ and bought in Jacksonville Fl. I would go with aluminum all the way.

that was my point. why go thru the effort of buying an alum trailer to prevent rust & then go & put diamond plate on it. his logic didnt make sense. unless someone doesnt mind sacraficial diamond plate to replace every couple years.

was it a 1989 29 Fountain with twin sbc's? lol!

Unpainted c-channel welded aluminum with proper bunk setup is the cats azz. No paint chips, no rust, no waxing, marketable nationwide, weight savings (if you care about being legal and have ever actually weighed your boat and trailer you would know every single pound saved can be critical), and they look tough. Important aspects of a c-channel aluminum are not to skimp on the rail size and make sure the builder has a track record building welded aluminum trailers and has worked out the bugs.

Make sure you do electric over hydraulic no matter which way you go.

put straight electric on ours & love it.

how long have you been running the straight electric?

theres a manufacture around here been building boat trailers for 30 yrs, has govt contracts etc and straight elect is standard on his boat trailers, no cost optional surge, elect over hyd special order. ....

they have 100s of boat trailers out there with straight elect and they have no prob whatsoever reccomending them.....Im only in fresh only get out about 12 - 14 times a yr (only 3 last yr bad summer) rest of time in the shop.....I know my buddies house trailer with elect is awesome.