STEEL vs ALUMINUM FRAMES

[wahoo]

I was recently looking at some wheelhouses in the smaller (6 by 10/12) size. One person who builds them said steal is better as Aluminum cracks in very cold weather when "bounced" over bad terrain.

Yet, many houses have alum frames.

Any opinions?

thanks

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Aluminum is generally weaker than steel. By the the time you beef it up enough to be the same strength, it is pretty close to the same weight. I'm not a big fan of the aluminum frames.

On the other hand, I think they are a great weight saving idea for framing the walls and roof.

[pegleg]

+1

Plus if you do have an issue with an aluminum frame cracking out on the ice or the hitch breaking off, it is a lot easier in no mans land to find a guy to weld steel with a portable welder than a guy to weld aluminum. Been there done that and I am now back to a steel framed house.

[Eelpout08]

In my humble opinion the extra cost for alum. is not worth the small weight savings. it is much easier/cheaper to build a reliable steel frame.

[Smoker]

I repaired to many snowmobile trailers with main beams broke. I was looking at alum. frams until I started fixing so many snowmobile trailers.

[wayne123]

For me if cost was not a concern I would go with aluminum. It will weigh about a third of steel if it is well designed. I think most of the failures on aluminum are from poor welds, poor design, or the wrong type of aluminum.

[iffwalleyes]

Steel. for same reasons as mentioned. I have a alum. snow trailer that now has steel for the main beams and is all bolted together.

[Farley]

I think most of the failures on aluminum are from poor welds, poor design, or the wrong type of aluminum.

i agree. If it's a small house and you keep it light from the trailer on up, aluminum is the way to go. I wouldnt put a 6.5X14 on aluminum but a smaller, lighter house will be ok and you'll love being able to bring it out early on when everyone is in their portables yet. My uncles fish house is a 6.5X12 with an aluminum trailer and used refridgeration panels for the walls and cieling. Yes the main beam is broke but I think they should have used 1/4" tube instead of 3/16 for it and it would be fine. Alum doesnt rust.

[Random guy]

I am the guy in no mans land that welds busted wheelhouse frames. I would say in ten years I have welded one alum frame other then two that where directly related to whisky man driving. Steel is often busted due to rust from all the salt on the highways. I personally like the alum as corrosion is not a factor. In fact I just got done repalcing a rusted out axle support on my alum snomobile trailer, only steel is in the axle an that is where it failed.

[lakevet]

Jonny P,

Could you give some specs on what dimensions/thickness to look for on Aluminum frames? Would you venture any brands to consider for Aluminum? Prefer to buy quality and say ouch once, instead of later wanting to sell it for scrap.

Thanks

lakevet

[gvt]

I have a powder-coated steel frame. After 3 winters it has some significant rust. Pretty disappointing! Keep in mind that you can't buy a steel snowmobile trailer anymore. My aluminum featherlite utility trailer has about 10 winters on it with no signs of corrosion.

It would be nice to see someone making galvanized steel frames with torsion axles. Properly designed and galvanized trailers will last through many winters. Just my two cents!!!

[Random guy]

Quote:

Jonny P,

Could you give some specs on what dimensions/thickness to look for on Aluminum frames? Would you venture any brands to consider for Aluminum? Prefer to buy quality and say ouch once, instead of later wanting to sell it for scrap.

Thanks

lakevet

Ya know what I look for is consistant welds and good bracing. Some of these frames show up with welds that start light and and end heavy in a 1" run. Also look to see if they took the time to clean or "scratch the surfacr before they welded; if they did they care about their job. Comapir a few trailer frames once and you will notice the difference in the joints.

[wayne123]

I think the lack of response of what size of aluminum to use tells you something. I bet if you posted asking what size of steel to use on a house many people would tell you. Making steel frames is pretty common knowledge and when unsure people just use one size bigger. With aluminmum people are not sure what to use and are not as likey to use the next size bigger because of cost.

[bottom-bouncer]

There is one way to avoid a steel frame from rusting it is relatively common and fairly inexpensive. WASH IT every so often doesnt take long doesnt cost much and it is amazing how long something will last if you clean off the road salt a few times a year.

[hollerman]

Best way to stop rust is to apply a roll on truck bed linner to the whole frame before you start building your fishhouse. Then steel is no problem. You can get the menards brand for not much cost and it works good for frames.