Hopefully this is in the right spot...

I have a Phowler Extreme 1852 boat and I am in dire need of a new trailer. The bear trailer it is sitting on feels like it is going to crumble beneath the boat. I talked to a local dealer and they have (on the lot) a Yacht Club galvanized trailer and an EZ Trac Aluminum trailer. Galvanized is $1650 and Aluminum is $2,250. I am having a hard time deciding which to go with. I have a hard side blind on my boat and a Mud Buddy 55mag. I hunt most of the time with several dozen decoys, gear, 1-2 buddies, and the pooch. I need something that is going to haul what I put on it.

Any opinions???

Thanks in advance!

Do they use road salt in Iowa or do you travel where they use road salt? If the answer is yes to either, buy a galvanized. The chloride they use on roads in Mi. Oh. In. etc. eat up aluminum trailers over time as well as $35,000.00 trucks! I thought they used sand in Iowa if I remember right?

Your aluminum boat likely doesn't weight as much as the bay and bass boats they put on these single axle trailers. Just make sure you are under the weight rating for the trailer.

Your buddy and dog aren't going to ride in the boat while trailered. If they do, I'd be looking for a new buddy and owner.

Smoke - I never thought about the salt. They definitely use salt in Iowa, I think Wisconsin uses sand... I think you just made up my mind on the galvanized. Thanks a lot for that input!

Reharbet - I'm an idiot - good call!

Is road salt different than salt from ocean water?

I live in South Florida so I have no experience with road salt. I do know 90% of the ocean going vessels down here ride on aluminum trailers.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Yes, ib, in a way it is. The trailer is constantly being pelted as you drive down the road. Salt blasting. A bit harder on the aluminum than being dipped in saltwater.

Gotcha... didn't think about being salt blasted.

Hell I've only seen real snowfall once on the shittiest hunting trip I've ever been on in Arkansas. Five days and only one shoveler between 7 of us. Out of desperation we did ambush a group of snows that were feeding near a frozen drainage ditch.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Sounds like you already made up your mind but I'll share my opinion anyway . . .

I own a McClain aluminum I-beam trailer and I really wish I would have bought a galvanized trailer

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

I'll add another reason for Galvanized over Aluminum. It probably wouldn't affect your rig but here is a funny story.
So I get back to the ramp and haul out, while washing down the boat and motor with salt-away I see a large ocean type racer maybe 30+. So he ties up and goes for his trailer to back into the water. The trailer is a show class tandem alloy one with boxed frame rails and alloy wheels. He backs it into the water and as he gets it deep enough it floats off to the side. I watched this act keep happening til I got tired of laughing. Sure glad I beat him to the ramp so I could get home in a timely fashion.

Sounds like his trailer doesn't have any drain holes.

Sounds like he either didn't unstrap his boat or his trailer floated the entire boat? That imo would be hard to believe. Boat should float well before the trailer?

FYI: The "salt" they use on the roads up here is mixed with chloride and when they spread that shit, its blueish green. It eats the hell out of everything it touches. I HATE it. Wish they would switch to sanding the roads instead.

Galvanized trailer is the way to go. Wisconsin doesn't use sand on the roads just that shitty chloride. My friend has a aluminum trailer that will float if he backs in too deep. Sucks ass when you have a steep ramp and river current, put some lead ingots on the back to keep it down.

I agree. Galvanized!!!

if you are hard on it, or have really bad roads, galvanized is the way to go. see many alum trailers that have to be re-welded/braced from cracking.

However I've seen some nice aluminum trailers out there that may hold up better than the mcclain. I know they've got some hefty price tags too

I also like the piece of mind on a galvanized trailer that if something breaks I can weld it up anywhere that has a regular welding machine

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Go with aluminum

So salt will ruin an aluminum trailer? Then our roadsides should be littered with snowmobile trailers. Almost all are made of aluminum, and they pretty much get used in the winter....

Just sayin.....

From what I've seen, the aluminum trailers that are welded together eventually break where the welds are. Especially on fenders.

The trailers that GT use/used are bolted together and seem to hold up.


Sent from my beeper