Will Aluminum Trailers Hold Up? American Hauler Aluminum Car Hauler Trailer Review

I've had my American Hauler aluminum car hauler trailer for over two years now. I would estimate I've put 30,000-40,000 miles on the trailer, so definitely used commercially, but not nearly as many miles as a full time driver would put on their trailer. Let's review the good things and bad things about American Hauler aluminum trailers and aluminum trailers in general.
I chose to go with an aluminum car hauler as I tired of the constant paint issues with the steel and the weight savings of aluminum also allows me to haul more equipment. However, while I think that aluminum trailers are great for average home owner use, I'm not sure that they are well suited for frequent commercial use. Well, at least American Hauler car hauler trailers.
Some of the reasons I chose the American Hauler car hauler trailer specifically included the storage location of the ramps, the storage location of the spare tire, dealer and manufacturer proximity to me for parts and service, and price point.
Some of the things I've discovered I didn't like about the American Hauler car hauler trailer include the cheap stock rims and tires, the inferior fenders that have experienced numerous weld breaks, the bolt fasteners loosen frequently, and OEM 7 Pin connector failed fairly early on.
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[@LoneWolfSnowplowing]

I've had the exact same trailer for about 4 years now, absolutely LOVE it. BTW those ramps are car ramps, you need equipment ramps.

[@JustinHEMI05]

Thank you for the close look at an aluminum trailer. I've been mulling about getting one because I too hate how my practically brand new steel Sure Trac is rusting like crazy. There's obviously advantages and disadvantages of each. I think I'll just buy some rustoleum and try to keep up with the rust.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

I know it. Always a trade off one way or another.

[@SledgeHammer43]

Start putting some dielectric grease into the plug terminals every time you hook up. That will most likely almost solve the connection issues. A little bit of rust or corrosion will cause all kinds of connection issues.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

I asked a trailer dealer that before and they told me not to do that. Can't recall why right now.

[@gregorymann2394]

@@GoodWorksTractors so they can sell you another one sooner or make money on the repair

[@nateblaschko8577]

Please do a video when you get your new gooseneck! I absolutely love goosenecks, they ride better and are much safer. I had a aluminum trailer like your they just don't hold up, I had welds cracking and the same problems with the fenders. Good luck with your new trailer!

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Thanks Nate! I will do that. I'm so excited to pick it up. Had a call yesterday that it's ready :)

[@orestwitiw213]

Hello from Soo, Ontario. I was in the market to update my 5x10’ galvanized trailer to a 6x12’ trailer which I hoped would be able to haul my BX2380. I was impressed with the aluminum trailers and they sure looked like heavy duty trailers. My galvanized trailer was 4 years old and in excellent condition and when I put it up for sale I got almost what I paid for it $1700 Canadian of course. I had no issues with it at all! My good friend is a journeyman welder and I was also a welder and he warned me against aluminum trailers saying he was forever welding cracks on his employers aluminum trailer. I took his advice and went with my first choice a 6’x12’ galvanized trailer and it actually had a higher weight carrying rating than the heavier looking aluminum trailer! It never rusts and the only thing I do is paint the boards with black Tremclad to preserve them. By the way you probably already know that your trailer had load range E tires which are 10 ply. Load range D are 8 ply and C are 6 ply. Honesty is always the best policy great video and yes I hope the world settles down. Retirement went out the window as the Market crashed.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Yeah, I'm not sure I'll go back to aluminum for my purposes.

[@RoyalKennedy601]

Have you heard of N&N Galvanized trailers ?

[@markstengel7680]

Aluminium dose not hold up too soft. Do not and will not own a aluminium handgun for same reason, wear & tear. Enjoyed Presentation👍

[@GoodWorksTractors]

My trucks both have aluminum bodies...not frames...hoping the bodies hold up. So far, so good.

[@liffy8333]

Wow. Do you also point out defects and corresponding value on your tractor inventory? Damn, I just live too far away to be a customer of yours. Breath of fresh air in any case. Love your channel.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Thanks Liff!

[@bfent4]

😅oulkkjrd go iy😮😢🎉😞😞😞😀😃🙄😞😞😞😞😃😃😃😀

[@mlevesque3022]

Is the cracked weld free? Down by the ramps attach to the trailer.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

It's not comletely broken free. Small split on either side. I'd say a good welder could easily repair.

[@happysawfish]

Might be good for hauling some Hemi police cars that I plan to put up for sale. : ) Good review. Enjoyed the video and learned a few things. My steel trailer connection gives me fits too, on Ford trucks. Trailer brakes grabbing all of a sudden, while the lights work all the time. Strange strange strange. Have not been all over it, but perhaps I should invest in the better plug like you did.

[@trainmaster52]

No not in MN especially if you use them in the winter. If you have any steel parts attached at all the saltwater corrodes the aluminum and destroys the trailer.

[@24revealer]

Flip it over, lets have a look at where the axles are attached for corrosion.

[@benjaminstockton3917]

It's not a bad looking trailer and lighter than steel that's good I agree with you you need a longer trailer for your tractors thanks for the video's buddy

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Thanks for watching Ben! Yeah, I was going to pick up the new trailer today, but probably going to wait until the rain stops tomorrow.

[@georgevg5720]

Muchas Felicidades Joven Por Su Canal

[@jlo3734]

Just remember to cross the tow chains ⛓ when hauling will save a life. Keep up the good videos

[@denniskieler5757]

Should be a law to cross your chains!

[@Embarassmental]

Why cross the chains? Serious question because my experiences say otherwise but I may be an outlier. My dumbass has left the lock pin out of the ball lock out of my 20 footer recently and had my trailer bounce off on a long dirt road. It just swung behind be until I stopped and only bashed my hitch a little so I got really lucky. In this case I was mostly unloaded and chains weren't crossed. But 14 years ago when I was 17 I did the same thing with a mower in a 5x8 and when it popped, where the chains were crossed the trailer broke one link and swung really far across the yellow line. After a minute of swinging and me trying to slow it down gently the other chain broke and the trailer slide under my truck as I stopped. I had been hauling since I had a permit and always been told to cross but don't anymore after that. They seemed to break near the same spot right where the chains would have crossed so it freaked me out. I've been told a thousand times since then to cross by family but they never give a good reason. Do y'all know the science behind it because I'll go back to crossing if it's truly proven safer.

[@keckwreck]

2 reasons that immediately come to mind... 1. Crossed chains cradle the front of trailer in the event of becoming unhitched. 2. Crossed chains maintain length when turning. If you don't cross, 1 chain gets loose and 1 tightens. Additionally, some areas may require Crossing chains.

[@gwpoole]

I’ll come get the trailer

[@henryrodgers3409]

You are correct . Great for a home owner but not strong enough for commercial . Don't like how the brackets at the back are breaking welds as well as the fenders are breaking off . Not suited for every day commercial . Make sure that you show us your new trailer when you get it . Don't know much about a goose neck trailer . Are you able to take off the hitch part in the back of the truck to give you a flat surface ? That trailer will make someone very happy .

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Yes sir, will do! Yeah, my trucks each have a different style of B&W gooseneck hitch as the trucks were optioned differently at the factory. I should make a video of that too. Thanks Henry!

[@larrybe2900]

Putting steel re-inforcement at stress points is not much steel to deal with.

[@rolling_hills_landscapes]

9:30 you can't have a threaded quick link like that and those chains must be crossed. The quick link will put you out of service if caught.

[@kirkkramer2412]

“One is none, and two is one” the first time your new trailer has a problem, and you need a trailer ASAP you got a backup.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Northern Indiana is the trailer building capitol of the world, you have to go a bit south to find the semi trailer capitol between Lafayette and Monon you have Wabash national, Vanguard, talbot, etc.

[@stevesspeedshop1559]

I have same trailer. And on my second set of fenders. But due to self inflicted damage. No welds that are bad or torn metal. Trailer is 1800 lbs

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Thanks Steve. Have you been using it frequently or occasionally? Any issues with wiring?

[@stevesspeedshop1559]

Nothing like you do with it. Mine is 2015 yr model. I Pull my show car or tractor or side by side. Your right for commercial use not recommended. No wiring issue. I am in Houston Tx. I’d did repaint my deck. Your dead on with purchase price. Btw.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Nice. I think the winters up here have a negative affect as well. Salt is bad.

[@cboutdoorfun9955]

So it’s been 3 years how quickly did the new one rust? Aluminum trailers seem more likely to stress crack especially the welds but I usually only see that on commercially used trailers or high mileage.

[@kaseycasece1340]

if u are blind u need glass , on both side of your fenders have stake pocket . u don't need any more stake pocket closed to your fenders

[@rustrtal]

Seems like that ramp rail would be better to extend out to the end of side rail so that the load could be transferred into the vertical part of the side rail and not the horizontal

[@kaseycasece1340]

only thing u have point about welds are broking other yhan that u are to damm pick it

[@cubiculez]

Is the Trailer still for sale?

[@GoodWorksTractors]

It has sold

[@gregorymann2394]

Is it 20 ft long.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Yes sir, 20' long.

[@gregorymann2394]

@@GoodWorksTractors I have a 3038E and with some attachments on the rear they hang over the back on an 18ft trailer by a few feet. I've always thought a 20 ft would be best. Ive heard aluminum trailers no matter what brand always tend to get cracks. Then you have to get someone to tig weld the repair. Thanks

[@GoodWorksTractors]

I originally stored the trailer in my driveway which has a steep angle. I borrowed a 22' before buying as I wanted a longer one. However, the back of the 22' trailer would bottom out on my driveway so went with the 20'. Like with barns, gun safes, etc, always get as big as you can afford haha!

[@sunseeker5071]

Very informative

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chuuk01]

I’m on the market for a 22 foot aluminum car hauler

[@TSemasFl]

If I lived up there, I'd let you gimme dat trailer.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

😂 very generous!

[@TSemasFl]

@@GoodWorksTractors Maybe throw in a free L3901, and I'd come get it.

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Boy, I'm definitely going to consider that!

[@MrBowser2012]

Thanks for the honest review

[@rogerboudreau8496]

Thank for the info:)

[@jonkastanek2468]

Is the trailer still available

[@houdini8o8]

No trailer brakes?

[@kaseycasece1340]

fold up steel ramp don't have any drag pull trailer down the road

[@gregorybarth930]

but if your load s longer tn the trailer your screwed.

[@XGenBoomer]

Off topic.

[@patrickwheatley6156]

Make a video when you get your new trailer!

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Hey Patrick, Picked it up today! Love at first glance :) Will have to make a video soon.

[@SummertymeJamz]

Am I 1st?

[@GoodWorksTractors]

👏🙌📣😁

[@markschmaus5580]

Nope and neither am I....lol

[@markschmaus5580]

:(

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Cheer up Mark. There will be another video soon enough 😉

[@belindakt]

We've got the steel version of your aluminum trailer, looks like the only difference is your taillights are much more protected. We don't have the rust issues here in Oklahoma like you do, so it still looks the same as it did when we bought it 24 years ago, except it's on the third floor. Funny thing about trailers around this size, everyone else has used it more than we have! LoL

[@GoodWorksTractors]

Haha, yeah I'm asked on a regular basis if so and so can borrow a trailer. Funny how that works, haha :)

[@larrybe2900]

Would coating it in used oil help preserve the wood?

[@belindakt]

@@larrybe2900 thought about that, but I'm afraid it would make it real slick. We used treated lumber the last time, & it is holding up.

[@larrybe2900]

@@belindakt I understand you concern about slipping but the oil soaks into the fibers and as long as you don't put an overly amount on the wood, with is no different than without in that regard. This gentleman talks about it just FYI. kzbin.info/www/bejne/foe2hoCJet2tb9U

[@kaseycasece1340]

chain hooks is up side down , wrong way