The rust would be the big issue with me no matter how well it's galvanized around the bolts and hard to reach places rust will start. Then it's a tough one to ever get back. If you washed it down really good every time it might be o.k.

If it were mine I would go aluminum because its lighter weight if you have an issue or want to add something it's easy to weld, and a little scotch brite can bring it back to life. I'm going aluminum on my drift boat trailer for 200 dollar difference. it solves allot of maintenance down the road.

Both manufactures build great products.

 

What size of boat is going on it and how much weight? Will either one put a 5k lb single axle under it? Can you fit a larger wheel / tire on one over the other? I have always been annoyed with the 3500lb single axle trailers when a boat is always loaded at near max.

 

Pretty tough to answer without knowing what kinda boat it'll be hauling around?

I have Aluminum (River Wild) and think it's great. 22 ft. boat, tandem axle. With tandem axles, you don't need to slow down for potholes and speed bumps. Ya never know you're being followed by a boat.

 

Pretty tough to answer without knowing what kinda boat it'll be hauling around?

I have Aluminum (River Wild) and think it's great. 22 ft. boat, tandem axle. With tandem axles, you don't need to slow down for potholes and speed bumps. Ya never know you're being followed by a boat.

Thanks for the reply, let me rephrase or clarify. Not debating tandem vs S/A simply long term Aluminum vs Galvanized and specifically the 2 brands I mentioned, more specifically by owners of either manufacturer or both. Real world experience is invaluable. For the record it's an 18' open boat with a 115 and 9.9, doesn't weigh over 2k pounds so a S/A @3500lb is perfect. IMHO and personal experience S/A trailers tow better, track better, don't eat tires, are more cost effective and easier to move around the shop. Wouldn't own a tandem unless it was on a boat over 20' and pushing 3k lbs.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

I have owned both. Love my NW Aluminum and good customer service. Baker is a good option to but I thought they closed and reopened then closed again?

 

Yes, Baker is now R&D Baker, the son, I believe Rod, is building trailers. Now in Junction City.

 

I went aluminum after getting tired of repairing and repainting my last 3 galvanized trailers. Both steel and aluminum will degrade over time, but i feel aluminum trailers have more pros than cons. Its too bad that they dont offer folding tongues. Must be a structural issue as to why they dont. Go with NW Aluminum and you wont be sorry. Their service rocks!

 

Update. I visited Mark a NW Aluminum Trailers today. They just started offering folding tongues on S/A Trailers. Great guy, nice to see one being built mid stream. Really a nice product.


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My north river aluminum trailer has a folding tongue.

 

The more time you spend keeping your trailer pretty, the less time you have to fish.

Spend the extra $$ on gear, trips or gas for the boat.

FWIW- I have a Baker under this boat. 10 years now. 50-70 days a year. Replaced the lights after 8 years. The winch strap finally got so sun damaged I replaced it. Every once in a while, I goop the bearings. The tires are getting weather checked. That's it.

Drifter had a Baker under it. More of the same.

In 20+ years, zero problems.

I would rather spend my time cleaning fish than a trailer.

Your mileage may vary.

 

On the Fulton website it states:

"Mount Fold-Away products to trailer tongues made only of steel"

So I'm guessing the tongues are still made of steel on an aluminum trailer?
Just curious.

 

Baker Trailers,

Pro's- Well built and balanced. I don't need a tongue jack to get my DB in the garage. They've been building trailers for a long time.

Cons- Thieves like to steal them. By my count, they were the number 1 trailer stolen in 2010 in Cowlitz County and probably Southwest Wa.

Aluminum Trailers,

Pro's- They're light and good looking.

Cons- Unless they are gusseted properly, they will crack. I work and weld on aluminum semi- trailers everyday and know this from experience. The only aluminum boat trailers I've looked at that I thought would hold up are the ones RiverWild are building and the old NorthRiver trailers.

 

Baker Trailers,



Pro's- Well built and balanced. I don't need a tongue jack to get my DB in the garage. They've been building trailers for a long time.



Cons- Thieves like to steal them. By my count, they were the number 1 trailer stolen in 2010 in Cowlitz County and probably Southwest Wa.



Aluminum Trailers,



Pro's- They're light and good looking.



Cons- Unless they are gusseted properly, they will crack. I work and weld on aluminum semi- trailers everyday and know this from experience. The only aluminum boat trailers I've looked at that I thought would hold up are the ones RiverWild are building and the old NorthRiver trailers.

Thanks for the reply. That's good news. These are the "old North River Trailers". Same design, new ownership. The guys son that originally built for NR is actually lead Fab on them now. Always great to go meet people that are building a product. I learned a lot in the 30 min Mark spent with me.


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mark is a good guy at nw. i own 2 t/a 20' that they made with 3500lb axels. love them.

 

What brand axle's are they using? I don't think I would buy a trailer without Dexter Axle's. Why? Because you will be able to find parts if needed.

 

Steel has an exponentially higher fatigue limit than aluminum. I'm sure that the designers of aluminum trailers have and do take this into consideration, but I'd rather fix rust than worry about a potentially catastrophic failure.

I got an RD Baker trailer (galvanized steel) trailer with my Willies and I am extremely impressed with the fore-thought that went into the design and craftsmanship.

I also have a 20 year old galvanized Rogue trailer under my Super Vee, and after having to replace the axle last month and carefully inspecting the rest of the trailer (up close and personal with no boat on it), I can tell you, it has held up surprisingly well considering the abuse and salt water that it has seen. The only rusty spots are where the galvanizing was scraped / scuffed / scratched / gouged.

I guess that counts as TWO votes for steel?

Cheers!

 

Also when I was having my Willie Predator built I kept googling Baker and got nothing. I think I even tried calling. I did not even consider them because I thought they where out of business. I called Stevens in regards to Rogue and price was real close to NW Alum. Alum is not necessarily way more expensive. Also The ez loader quote was just a few hundred under NW Alum


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We looked into a aluminum NW tandem to replace the Rogue single that was on my buddy's 2014 20' Super Vee. NW makes a beautiful trailer but the cost was a bit much to take since a pile of money was spent to get the Rogue. The heavy duty single Rogue with 15" wheels puts that boat so high off the ground it makes it tough to launch in the smaller rivers. It kind of sucks because this boat was to get us in rivers where we didn't want to bring the 25' River Wild but it turns out we can launch it in a shallower launch than the 20. Not trying to debate the single vs tandem but keep ride height in mind when picking one out.