Posted 2014-09-18 10:16 AM (#160815) Subject: Does wt.=qualty in alum trailers
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: BRONSON ,IA.
We now own a 2010 Elite w/ 11'8"SW Living Quarters,and have been very happy with the trailer. We are older and have changed our riding patterns.We are now wintering in AZ. and would like a little more room in our LQ. My empty Wt on the Elite is 10,800 LB. While searching for a larger trailer, I find in some of the newer more affordable trailers , it takes 18' SW w/ a 12' slide to weigh the same as my Elite. Would I be giving up as much in quality of construction and strength of materials as it would appear. Hope some of you veterans can shed some light on my dilema. Thanx for any input that you could share .
Posted 2014-09-18 10:44 AM (#160816 - in reply to #160815) Subject: RE: Does wt.=qualty in alum trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Lighter weight trailers usually translate to lighter weight materials, or in some cases not as many of those materials used in the mfg. process. The use of thinner walled extrusions; or dimensional changes in components will equal less weight. A lot of companies since the recession of 08 -09, have gone to lighter weight materials in building trailers. It doesn't necessarily mean less quality; but could mean less strength. I know that our best selling trailer brand, that has a 17' short wall w/ a 12' double slide will weigh in the 12,000# range. My guess is that an Elite with that kind of an LQ would weigh more like 13,500 to 14K ; depending of course, on how many horses it's to haul.
Posted 2014-09-18 12:52 PM (#160818 - in reply to #160815) Subject: RE: Does wt.=qualty in alum trailers
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: mancelona michigan
You have to compare apples to apples when looking at this issue.First , the wieght of the LQ must be subtracted. Moat trailers have a spec sticker somewhere that lists the wieght w/o LQ. Then you must consider the floor,if they are the same type (aluminum,rumbar,wood) then you have a valid comparison.The width of the box figures into it as well.An 8' box will wiegh more than a 7' box per foot of length.Tube wall studs will wiegh more than "C" channel if the material wall thickness is comparible and would (IMO) be far more desireable.Frameing around windows and doors,is it aluminum put in by the box mfgr,or wood added by the LQ builder? are the door and window frames and especially neck area heavily gusseted or maybe not so much? Slides add a lot of wieght per foot depending on the manufactureing prosess,but 150 -200# per foot would be reasonable.How many (if any) floor/frame crossmembers were cut ot eliminated when the holding tanks were installed,and was any support added to compensate?Takeing the above into consideration,you can now make a reasonable comparison based on wieght alone,but there are other things to consider. The welding is a major item. Is it "tacked" or "stiched" together,or are the welds (particularly in the frameing) ,continious? Are the welds clean and evenly distributed on both pieces of base metal or do they have stubs,antennas, and stop/start puddles all over?Do they look like they were spit out of a caulk gun,or melted in nicely? Wieght can "come or go" in a trailer for a lot of reasons and in many places.Simply putting the two units on a scale wont tell you much.
Does wt.=qualty in alum trailers
