Wheel house frames - steel vs aluminum

[jdfisherman]

Does anyone know how much lighter an aluminum frame is compared to a similar steel frame? From what I've heard/read a steel frame is going to be more durable than aluminum (steel is less brittle than aluminum and easier to fix if you do have an issue) if you keep up on rust prevention, so is the weight advantage really worth the extra cost?

[Eelpout08]

in my opinion it is not worth the extra cost, although if i had the time and resources i would definitely consider it, and those yetti's do look pretty nice. Aluminum is pretty finicky when it comes to welding so i would stay with a manufacturer that does a lot of it. If you would have problems it will be harder to find someone with the knowledge and equipment to repair. Alum will corrode too, especially if it is getting caked with road salt and chemicals.

If i had to guess i would say aluminum would save you 20%-40% on weight.

[Icedemon2012]

You wouldn't have a problem with an aluminum frame if it is built correctly. An aluminum frame will outlast a steel frame by far. Just take a look at how my aluminum snowmobile trailers compare to steel snowmobile trailers you see on the road in winter.

[BehindtheHead]

aluminum isnt more brittle than steel, aluminum is plyabel though. the harder the material the more brittle it is. im not sure of the weight difference but it is a bit. because aluminum is more plyabe its not as likely to crack, but it is more likely to bend. so you will have to be carefull on rough accesses and stuff. as for corosion. i think if i built a aluminum wheeled house i would paint the frame. what does a 10 or 15 year old snowmobile traler look like? [PoorWordUsage].... even a good thick clear coat would have done thoes things alot of good.

the owner of a 6.5 x 16 ridgeline house told me it weighed like 1700 lbs. but there was nothing in the house, no heater no benches, just hole covers.

i think a aluminum house is the clear ticket. i just built a 4x4 spear house out of all aluminum. the only wood in it is the floor plywood. i had it sprayfoamed at about 1". i set it up today and basicly heated it with the pilot light, although it wasnt that cold today but time will tell. not sure on the weight but im sure its under 200 lbs. im going to weigh it next week on the cattle scale.