Aluminum trailer

[ricky racer]

I've built a 5x8 steel framed trailer with a 1500 lb. Torflex axle. The wheels are 4.8x12's. The trailer was built to haul ATV's and garden tractors. I might be able to put a Cub on it but I wouldn't feel safe hauling it. Now if it had a 3000# axle on it and larger wheels on it, that would be another story however in my view, having a little extra room on a trailer is always a good thing. A 5x8 doesn't leave any extra room.

[Don McCombs]

Pulling 5 X 8 aluminum trailer w/ Lincoln TC

No room for a mower deck if so equipped. Best to have a 6x10.

Actually, having BTDT, If looking for a new or used trailer, I would opt for the 7 foot width. Gives you the most flexibility with implements and tie-down options. Also, easier to load and unload.

[radioguy41]

If thinking about a wider trailer you should take into consideration the width of the narrowest road you might travel on. Many older country roads have small 9 foot lanes and beatdown/unmaintained shoulders (at least here in PA). A 7 foot trailer can be 9 feet wide overall meaning if a vehicle is coming towards you the only choice you have is to run the inside tire off the road. I've seen too many guys do that and shred a tire, blow a tire, and/or bend a rim with one trailer actually sliding down into a ditch bringing all traffic to a standstill. There are 2 shows a year I attend that involve some long sections of narrow road which is why I opted for 6'. YMMV.

[Matt Kirsch]

Actually the widest practical deck you can get and still fit between the fenders on a trailer is 82-83". The trailer itself cannot be any wider than 102", or 8 feet, 6 inches. If you need wider than 82-83" you have to go to a deckover trailer which usually have a 100" wide deck.

The material the trailer is built from is irrelevant as long as it is built strong enough to carry approximately 2000lbs of cargo, and are wide/long enough to accommodate the tractor and whatever is attached.

People like the aluminum trailers because they stay shiny longer and are a little lighter up front, but they are MUCH more expensive.

[Barnyard]

I think some are missing Dusty's point. He wants an aluminum trailer big enough to haul a Cub, but small enough to pull behind a Lincoln Continental Town Car. When he was here to pick up his Cub with his full size trailer and pickup truck he indicated to me that he wanted to downsize from that as much as he could.

[Jim Becker]

Actually the widest practical deck you can get and still fit between the fenders on a trailer is 82-83". The trailer itself cannot be any wider than 102", or 8 feet, 6 inches. If you need wider than 82-83" you have to go to a deckover trailer which usually have a 100" wide deck. . . .

Note that 102" is the largest limit anywhere in the US (otherwise you get into the overwidth category which has another set of regulations). However, there are many places where the legal limit is 96" (8 feet even). It depends on which state and in some states it depends on the road. I don't believe reciprocity applies either. I don't think arguing "It's legal in Michigan" will do you any good in Arkansas!

There are big differences in trailer brake requirements between states too. Know the requirements. A lot of trailers are built in small shops that seem to be unaware of the regulations. Reciprocity may help you on this if you are out of state.

[Frozenstate]

If your buying a used aluminum trailer check very close for cracks in the aluminum, especially where the suspension attaches to the frame. I have seen a few that have cracked where the aluminum meets steel.

[radioguy41]

I think some are missing Dusty's point. He wants an aluminum trailer big enough to haul a Cub, but small enough to pull behind a Lincoln Continental Town Car. When he was here to pick up his Cub with his full size trailer and pickup truck he indicated to me that he wanted to downsize from that as much as he could.

Yeah, I missed that but that poses another issue, TC's are rated at 2000lbs max towing capacity, not enough to safely tow a trailer loaded with a Cub. The lightest weight aluminum trailer loaded with a stripped down Cub will still be pushing that limit if not exceeding it.

[Don McCombs]

Is that true of the older, bigger Town Cars? Of course we don't know what year Dusty's is.

[radioguy41]

Since 1990 when they were downrated to 2000lbs.

[Dusty B]

Will run it across the local scale to check balance / tongue weight! You are right Bill 60" mower w/not fit! Doubt if I will want to move that or will have to remove and turn lengthwise. Thanks everyone for the info - if this doesn't work out may have to buy a new pickup and bigger trailer ! LOL!

[welderrx]

Aluminum trailers are fine until they crack, I used to be a Fleet maintenance Foreman for a large heavy haul trucking company, as soon as we saw a sign of a crack it got traded in dissimilar metals corosion was another problem. we mainly bought Steel as we got much longer lifespans out of them.TJ

[Dusty B]

5 X 8 Aluma trailer - scaled @ 6,080 included Lincoln TC 4060 # (trailer rated 3,000#). Tongue weight 100# (recommendation 200# max). Bare Cub Loboys, pulls smooth! Time will tell, downsizing so don’t anticipate needing huge capacity! Thanks for your input! Dusty

[SONNY]

If that is your trailer I saw, ------that will work just fine. ---- axle is in the right position to carry most of the weight and the car will play with it.----Stopping wont be any problem! ----- Snazzy trailer!!!

[Don McCombs]

Which model number Aluma trailer do you have, Dusty?