Need a new bunk trailer

[dboyd351]

Originally Posted by awthacker

I agree $2500 is alot, but if you go anywhere near saltwater, aluminum is a must. You may find a used aluminum in the $1200-1500 range if you're lucky. I probably put well over $1000 into my previous galvanized trailer over the last five years. 3 sets of leaf springs, axle, bearings, hubs, bearings again, winch, tongue hitch, lights, new lights on PVC posts. The salt is relentless. Get aluminum.

What sucks is that my project V also came with a beat up galvanized trailer, so I've got to make the same decision as you. I'll save up for an aluminum.

3 sets of leaf springs in 5 years??? Do you know you are supposed to rinse the trailer down after it goes in saltwater? I've never heard of someone going through 3 sets of leaf springs in 5 years and I've had boats for 40 years, all of it in saltwater. Skool is right, everything you replaced on that galvanized trailer is the same on an aluminum trailer.

Most of those 40 years I've had galvanized trailers. I've owned galvanized trailers for over 10 years, that were probably 10 or more years old when I got them and didn't put that kind of money into them (had a V20 sitting on it, too). You need to wash the trailer every time it goes in, install buddy bearings and keep them lubed, wire brush and touch up galvanized paint when it needs it (maybe every few years). Do some basic maintenance and a galvanized trailer can easily last 20 years. I've got another that's 12 years old now and looks like it will go another 10 easy.

Galvanized definitely pulls better than aluminum, just because it is heavier and stiffer. It's more work, but I think it is a better trailer if you keep it up.