Aluminum trailers - Page 2

rseibenick · 01-19-2010, 06:57 PM

The main reason I am looking for lighter Aluminum trailer , is my RV can not haul a lot of weight. It is a 94 Allergo Bay 35 ft. DP with a 5.9 Cummins 190 HP Turbocharged and intercooled engine with a 4 speed Allison transmission. Book says not to tow over 6000 lbs. I am going to redo the hitch and make it stronger, but with a lighter trailer would hopefully not put me over the total GVCW limit of my RV. I will usually have a 2300 to 2500 car in the trailer. Thanks for all of the ideas and infomation. Ron.

rseibenick · 01-19-2010, 09:08 PM

Been looking at the ATC , Featherlite and Gold rush trailers. I also ran across the Nash and Rance aluminum trailers. Anyone have any info on these brands.

Jim Carter · 01-21-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseibenick

The main reason I am looking for lighter Aluminum trailer , is my RV can not haul a lot of weight. It is a 94 Allergo Bay 35 ft. DP with a 5.9 Cummins 190 HP Turbocharged and intercooled engine with a 4 speed Allison transmission. Book says not to tow over 6000 lbs. I am going to redo the hitch and make it stronger, but with a lighter trailer would hopefully not put me over the total GVCW limit of my RV. I will usually have a 2300 to 2500 car in the trailer. Thanks for all of the ideas and infomation. Ron.

Your concern over trailer weight, while towing with an RV is well founded and THE second best reason to go aluminum. You can also pick up a used (oops), pre-owned aluminum trailer for close to the same price of a "new" steel unit. The first best reason is enhanced RESALE value. The depreciation on aluminum trailer value will typically level off after it is a few years old and just flat line.
BTW:
Talk to Johnny D at DRC when you are ready to beef up that hitch. He makes a nice "Do It Yourself" hitch kit that is well designed and engineered for RV's.

Dave Ficacci knows what he is talking about from his own personal experience.
Keep that open trailer until you can get the aluminum unit.

I bought a used Motorsports trailer and am very happy with it. They are no longer in business but they are serviced by Goldrush. Pre-owned units are out there.

Just my two cents.

JimmieC

Ryan Horensky · 01-21-2010, 01:47 AM

I have a 24' ATC and I am very happy with it. The trailer is loaded with options and about 3500lbs. I would def recommend an ATC to anyone. Prob the best value for your money as far as an aluminum trailer goes. There are alot of good companies out there like...Gold rush, T&E, Pace, Featherlite, Etc, But I would def check out ATC if you're in the market for an aluminum trailer. Give Bryan Sorce a call at Sorce's Trailer Sales. He could fill you in on the options available for an ATC Trailer if that's the path you want to go down.
570-683-6198.

Jack Matyas · 01-21-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Ficacci

If you are going to put things in perspective...do it all the way.

Towing that steel piece of sh!t behind you puts additional wear and tear on your truck/motorhome's engine/tires/frame/brakes etc. It will also go through trailer tires faster... Put a price on that..

Think resale. In 10 years that 9000 steal trailer will be worth 3000...if it hasnt fallen apart yet. The 15000 aluminum one will still pull in 10k.

Goldrush and T&E are the only way to fly.

Dave -- I agree -- whatever you are towing with will be used much harder towing a steel trailer and the steel unit will be valued much less when sold 10 years later but its been my experience that after 10 years a aluminum unit such as a Goldrush / Motorsport / Featherlite etc. will be valued at what it sold for new or very close .

Mike Voth · 01-21-2010, 10:08 AM

We've used Classic Trailers for years. They are more affordable than most any "big name" trailer on the market today. Lighter weight, pulls great, and best of all, we never have to fix anything on them. Our current trailer, purchased some 10 years ago, is still in great shape. We bought it bare and put an aluminum floor and cabinets in it ourselves, and I wired it for 110 so we have adequate lighting and other amenities. We're very happy with our Classic Trailer. I've seen so many Pace service guys at races fixing there trailers. At a D5 race a few years back (I think it was Great Bend), the entire tongue snapped off and had to be welded back on.

If we buy another one, it will be a Classic, as we've have zero concerns with the previous two owned.

As stated repeatedly on this forum..."just my 2 cents worth"

vic guilmino · 01-21-2010, 10:52 AM

johnny d is the best on trailer hitches

JJ3159 · 01-21-2010, 05:20 PM

i have a used 28ft atc for 9900 gilloglyresale.com there is pics of the trailer.

Run to Rund · 01-22-2010, 11:35 AM

While you are strengthening the hitch, add some power to that Cummins, say 50 or 100 HP:
www.tstproducts.com

Dan Fletcher · 01-22-2010, 11:59 AM

In my humble opinion, there is no better aluminum trailer out there than T&E. My 32' stacker is nearly 10 years old and probably has approaching 250,000 miles on it. The only issues I've ever had have been the routine sort of maintenance things, ie: tires, brakes, bearings. Their staff is second to none in both planning, constuction, and service. Yes, they are expensive, but as we all know, you get what you pay for.

In an steel trailer, I think that Vintage does a excellent job. They are both affordable and well constructed. I have owned a few personally, and have been a dealer now for several years. I'm not going to knock any other brand, but the fit and finish, service, and overall quality of Vintage is outstanding.

01-19-2010, 06:57 PM	#11
rseibenick Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 160 Likes: 24 Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers The main reason I am looking for lighter Aluminum trailer , is my RV can not haul a lot of weight. It is a 94 Allergo Bay 35 ft. DP with a 5.9 Cummins 190 HP Turbocharged and intercooled engine with a 4 speed Allison transmission. Book says not to tow over 6000 lbs. I am going to redo the hitch and make it stronger, but with a lighter trailer would hopefully not put me over the total GVCW limit of my RV. I will usually have a 2300 to 2500 car in the trailer. Thanks for all of the ideas and infomation. Ron.

01-19-2010, 09:08 PM	#12
rseibenick Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 160 Likes: 24 Liked 20 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers Been looking at the ATC , Featherlite and Gold rush trailers. I also ran across the Nash and Rance aluminum trailers. Anyone have any info on these brands.

01-21-2010, 01:47 AM	#14
Ryan Horensky Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sugarloaf,PA Posts: 201 Likes: 19 Liked 109 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers I have a 24' ATC and I am very happy with it. The trailer is loaded with options and about 3500lbs. I would def recommend an ATC to anyone. Prob the best value for your money as far as an aluminum trailer goes. There are alot of good companies out there like...Gold rush, T&E, Pace, Featherlite, Etc, But I would def check out ATC if you're in the market for an aluminum trailer. Give Bryan Sorce a call at Sorce's Trailer Sales. He could fill you in on the options available for an ATC Trailer if that's the path you want to go down. 570-683-6198.

01-21-2010, 10:08 AM	#16
Mike Voth Live Reporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Buhler, KS Posts: 527 Likes: 5 Liked 57 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers We've used Classic Trailers for years. They are more affordable than most any "big name" trailer on the market today. Lighter weight, pulls great, and best of all, we never have to fix anything on them. Our current trailer, purchased some 10 years ago, is still in great shape. We bought it bare and put an aluminum floor and cabinets in it ourselves, and I wired it for 110 so we have adequate lighting and other amenities. We're very happy with our Classic Trailer. I've seen so many Pace service guys at races fixing there trailers. At a D5 race a few years back (I think it was Great Bend), the entire tongue snapped off and had to be welded back on. If we buy another one, it will be a Classic, as we've have zero concerns with the previous two owned. As stated repeatedly on this forum..."just my 2 cents worth" __________________ Mike Voth 5189 GTN - 5188 GTO Voth Racing

01-21-2010, 10:52 AM	#17
vic guilmino Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: wv Posts: 884 Likes: 42 Liked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers johnny d is the best on trailer hitches __________________ Vic Guilmino 1129 STK

01-21-2010, 05:20 PM	#18
JJ3159 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WEST SENECA N.Y. Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers i have a used 28ft atc for 9900 gilloglyresale.com there is pics of the trailer. __________________ jj h/r 1399 s/r 1399 s/g 1399

01-22-2010, 11:35 AM	#19
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers While you are strengthening the hitch, add some power to that Cummins, say 50 or 100 HP: www.tstproducts.com

01-22-2010, 11:59 AM	#20
Dan Fletcher Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Churchville, NY Posts: 491 Likes: 128 Liked 1,040 Times in 69 Posts	Re: Aluminum trailers In my humble opinion, there is no better aluminum trailer out there than T&E. My 32' stacker is nearly 10 years old and probably has approaching 250,000 miles on it. The only issues I've ever had have been the routine sort of maintenance things, ie: tires, brakes, bearings. Their staff is second to none in both planning, constuction, and service. Yes, they are expensive, but as we all know, you get what you pay for. In an steel trailer, I think that Vintage does a excellent job. They are both affordable and well constructed. I have owned a few personally, and have been a dealer now for several years. I'm not going to knock any other brand, but the fit and finish, service, and overall quality of Vintage is outstanding. __________________ Dan Fletcher 1781 STK, SS, COMP, SG, SC DAN FLETCHER TRAILER SALES