Posted 2007-10-08 5:51 PM (#69022) Subject: steel vs aluminum
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I was looking at a new featherlite at the fair and was wondering about the weight difference in metals. It was an aluminim 4 horse slant with a 6 ft short wall and weekend package. It has 5,200lb axles and a GVWR of 10,400. The dealer didn't know the actual weight. I have a steel 4 horse slant with a 2ft short wall dressing room that weighs in at 6,200lbs and has 7,000lb axels and a GVWR of 14,000lbs.
To me that is a huge weight difference and the lighter trailer is bigger than mine. Is it right? Is the aluminim really that much lighter?
Posted 2007-10-08 6:27 PM (#69024 - in reply to #69022) Subject: RE: steel vs aluminum
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
I would say that the aluminum one that you looked at probably should have had a little bigger axles for that size trailer, fully loaded it might be overweight. Yes, aluminum is a lot lighter but I would guess it's not a whole lot lighter than what you have since it is bigger.
Posted 2007-10-08 6:53 PM (#69026 - in reply to #69022) Subject: RE: steel vs aluminum
Member
Posts: 37
I would try to find one with atleast #7000 axles under it.Little things you have to watch before you buy.This market is so competitive, those are some angles being used today.
Posted 2007-10-09 5:20 PM (#69090 - in reply to #69022) Subject: RE: steel vs aluminum
Member
Posts: 7
Terri, I believe that Featherlite trailer you looked at is their model 8546 w/the 6'short wall LQ. The GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) is 10,400 but the actual empty weight of the trailer is 7650#s. That only gives you a carrying capacity of 2750#'s. I agree that you would probably want a trailer w/the 7000# axles for the GVWR of 14,000#s (especially in a 4 horse trailer). That way you could haul up to 6350#s if the trailer weighed 7650#'s. (which would let you haul 4 horses, tack and supplies).
Posted 2007-10-09 6:00 PM (#69097 - in reply to #69090) Subject: RE: steel vs aluminum
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I don't remember the model but it was in the 8000's. I just know that with those numbers it won't work for me. Did that empty weight include the weekend package?
Posted 2007-10-09 7:10 PM (#69102 - in reply to #69090) Subject: RE: steel vs aluminum
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by splintboot on 2007-10-09 6:20 PM
Terri, I believe that Featherlite trailer you looked at is their model 8546 w/the 6'short wall LQ. The GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) is 10,400 but the actual empty weight of the trailer is 7650#s. That only gives you a carrying capacity of 2750#'s. I agree that you would probably want a trailer w/the 7000# axles for the GVWR of 14,000#s (especially in a 4 horse trailer). That way you could haul up to 6350#s if the trailer weighed 7650#'s. (which would let you haul 4 horses, tack and supplies).
not exactly. the trailer axles are rated to hold the 10,400....remember about 20% is carried on the truck. i suspect that trailer is intended to be loaded to ~13000. the cargo capacity is much more than 2750, i would guess a touch over 5000 pounds. granted i would want more axle than that, but it would do.
steel vs aluminum
.jpg)
