Whichever you decide, whether it be steel or aluminum--go with the ENCLOSED. Salt and slush will wreak havoc on your sleds with an open trailer.

I've had steel trailers that served me well for many years. I used to spray mine underneath with a coating of fluid film every two or three years.

Yes--Steel is heavier, but not that much. My gas mileage is the same whether I pull my steel trailer or my aluminum, and I really can't tell the difference weight wise. I do however pull with Silverado 6.0 2500 HD .

Hope this helps. Good luck in your decision.

Don~

 

I found a 2011 stealth 23’ enclosed on a steel frame. Price is appealing, has some rust underneath as expected a few rivets around the bottom that need attention. Overall I think its a reasonably good condition trailer, just was concerned Id regret not going all Aluminum. Maybe the extra weight would be a benefit in the wind keeping the trailer in line.

 

Would you even consider buying a steel frame enclosed trailer or do you think the rust and corrosion risk along with the additional weight make those trailers completely undesirable?

I would never consider one. Ever.

 

N


Never is a long time... I've had many steel enclosed and one open but only one Aluminum trailer. That said I'll agree with mile9c1 if I ever buy another, It would be another Aluminum.

 

Aluminum trailers are the way to go for snowmobiling. No rust issues. Just cracking of welds and cross members. A well built trailer can easily see 50k miles plus before needing major repairs. Obviously you will be doing brakes, bearings, and tires. Stealth's quality is 50/50 so inspect it well. Some reputable brands are Triton, ATC, Neo, Aluma, Logan, and Trail West.

 

What ever you choose get a enclosed trailer.. you’ll thank yourself later

 

What tow vehicle do you have, OP? If on level roads, the weight difference is of little or no difference in fuel mileage. The wind resistance of any enclosed trailer is by far the biggest factor. But on grades, then the lower weight of an aluminum trailer might be a significant help if you have a light-weight tow vehicle.

• The brakes, bearings, and electrical need regular maintenance on any trailer as well said above. I would rather have any trailer frame type with heavier, larger bearings than with the small tires that spin at high speeds.
• Welding aluminum is a lot more specialized than welding up steel. I would rather do major repairs on a steel trailer, by a long shot.. zip-zap with any old welder and you are good to go. But that level of repairs may not be a factor for the OP. (Yes, I weld both and have 4 types of welders...)
• I don't deal with quite the same rust issues as in the rust belt there in WI. Corrosion of AL will occur, so nothing is bullet proof with salt and moisture present. I have a 2006 16' enclosed steel frame trailer that has about 200+k miles on it now, that made lots of trips through WV in winter (lots of salt) and got washed once in its life LOL. No issues in the steel frame at all, but just in long term sealing of the skin, letting moisture in where it did not belong. (But what I cannot tell you is how heavy the steel in the frame is versus what you may be looking at now.) Both axles replaced
• Aluminum always fatigues with every flex, while steel does not. So the fatigue cracks MAY be factor. If not loaded heavily and does not see rough roads much, then perhaps not a big issue.

 

 

I don't care for steal but always get under it and check for cracks and rust. Clam shells are better than open but water is still a problem. Hybrid trailer is weather tight and even a aluminum is heavy.

Either way check axel mounts and any time steal and aluminum come in contact with each other. It either cracks or rots

 

Go Aluminum if you can swing it. Either go enclosed or plan on buying a new cover every 2-3 years for an open trailer.

Honestly there are advantages to an open trailer.
- tows easier with no salt shield
- sleds are well ventilated
- easier to get in a car wash for cleaning
- easier to refuel sleds

Enclosed advantages
- most are ride in and ride out
- cant's build a garage for what a trailer costs
- mobile garage
- a place out of the wind to wrench if you need to.

Enclosed Disadantages:
- high deck if deckover - steep ramp angles (same for open)
- may not fit in car wash
- refueling can be a pia
- clerance down driveways and at gas stations, trees / tight corners
- sometimes moisture gets trapped and oxides aluminum finishes

 

I tow with an 2021 f150 6.5’ box crew cab 3.5. We have two sled with 137” tracks. I have an aluminum stealth flatbed from 2020 and it goes in for welding repairs once a year. My dads 2014 stealth enclosed is rock solid. Based on my trips through dealerships, trailer quality has dropped as the prices went up.

 

That aluminum trailer repair record is not so good.. but I think you knew that! The trailer quality comment seems valid for a lot of the cheaper brands. The gauge of the metal used in a frame is a factor, as well as the shapes and structural design, IMHO, and may well be lighter in some cheaper trailers.

Some of the higher end brands seem to have stayed good, at least for heavier trailers that get a lot of hard use, like for construction equipment trailers. My 2021 PJ equipment trailer seems as solid as they used to be.

IMHO, a 23' enclosed trailer will be a big load for that F150, but at least it sounds like a long wheelbase truck, which will help. How far do you tow and where? If not too far and with only a few long grades like going up to the UP, then some patience on those grades may get you by just fine. Some fellows can't stand going 50-55 mph up a long grade.

We are on long end of the towing spectrum, and tow 300-2000 miles per trip each way, and through the mountains in East and West, mostly for work. So we have had only 3/4 ton diesels for towing for almost 40 years. The weight advantage of aluminum is not there for us. But that's probably not your situation.

 

That aluminum trailer repair record is not so good.. but I think you knew that! The trailer quality comment seems valid for a lot of the cheaper brands. The gauge of the metal used in a frame is a factor, as well as the shapes and structural design, IMHO, and may well be lighter in some cheaper trailers.

Some of the higher end brands seem to have stayed good, at least for heavier trailers that get a lot of hard use, like for construction equipment trailers. My 2021 PJ equipment trailer seems as solid as they used to be.

IMHO, a 23' enclosed trailer will be a big load for that F150, but at least it sounds like a long wheelbase truck, which will help. How far do you tow and where? If not too far and with only a few long grades like going up to the UP, then some patience on those grades may get you by just fine. Some fellows can't stand going 50-55 mph up a long grade.

We are on long end of the towing spectrum, and tow 300-2000 miles per trip each way, and through the mountains in East and West, mostly for work. So we have had only 3/4 ton diesels for towing for almost 40 years. The weight advantage of aluminum is not there for us. But that's probably not your situation.

That aluminum trailer repair record is not so good.. but I think you knew that! The trailer quality comment seems valid for a lot of the cheaper brands. The gauge of the metal used in a frame is a factor, as well as the shapes and structural design, IMHO, and may well be lighter in some cheaper trailers.

Some of the higher end brands seem to have stayed good, at least for heavier trailers that get a lot of hard use, like for construction equipment trailers. My 2021 PJ equipment trailer seems as solid as they used to be.

IMHO, a 23' enclosed trailer will be a big load for that F150, but at least it sounds like a long wheelbase truck, which will help. How far do you tow and where? If not too far and with only a few long grades like going up to the UP, then some patience on those grades may get you by just fine. Some fellows can't stand going 50-55 mph up a long grade.

We are on long end of the towing spectrum, and tow 300-2000 miles per trip each way, and through the mountains in East and West, mostly for work. So we have had only 3/4 ton diesels for towing for almost 40 years. The weight advantage of aluminum is not there for us. But that's probably not your situation.

 

My travels are fairly short. To northern WI or the UP. I figured with two sleds I should be able to balance the load fairly well. My wife just called she bought the 23’ steel frame. My other consideration is I should be able to install a load distribution hitch on the steel tongue, if the tongue weight is excessive.

 

My wife just called she bought the 23’ steel frame.

'She' has settled the debate LOL. Tongue weight is going to be quite a bit with that overall length so the sleds will be near the back, I bet. Hope it works well for you. We use that old 16' enclosed trailer for the 'mobiles, and the length is tight. The 2 sleds have to go in at angles, and one in backwards. You'll have a nice roomy ride.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. One thing about the MRS, when im on shift at the fire house, she makes things happen. I may update once I see my trailer in person.

 

good luck! time for a snow dance!

 

I'm not a Fireman, however, I have to figure out how to pay for those Million dollar rigs.

Don~

 

When I was shopping for a good used enclosed trailer, I ended up buying new because the price difference just didn’t make sense. Any good or fair deal was gone instantly as well. Sure , if you can snag a good deal go for it, but seems everyone is a pro seller today. I have no regrets, I have put no money into the trailer in almost ten years besides a set of tires.( those tires and rims are still on my single trailer that I just use locally) Not one wiring issue, burnt light or anything.

 

I bought mine new and then the price went up 1000 , used followed suit