What you need to know about our
Aluminium Trailers
LITE tow trailers have been developing Aluminium trailers for over 5 years starting with Boat trailers before expanding to include Plant Trailers.
We spent 3 years in research & development before releasing our first trailer to the public. Most of our research involved testing and welding of various grades of aluminium to determine the best materials including welding gas and wire, plus testing various options such as bolting the aluminium together to ensure we had the best possible long term product.
Unlike steel trailers, our trailers are not always fully welded. Via our testing we found it was important to have selected areas free from weld to allow and encourage flexing which happens with all trailers but must be controlled. Fully welding selected trailers may reduce it's integral strength.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )
| Does the aluminium crack? | All trailers and indeed all fabricated parts may crack if the incorrect materials and manufacturing method is used. It is important to know your materials & their capability. At LITE tow trailers, we have researched this thoroughly to ensure we had the best possible material & process to suit the job. |
| To reinforce our endorsement of welded aluminium you need only look around at the extensive use of aluminium today. For example; Boats: Some 40% of new boats on the market are welded aluminium Truck Trailers: Many of the new trailers for the semi's are welded aluminium for weight saving to save on fuel cost |
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| Does aluminium last longer than steel? | In most applications aluminium will outlast steel as it does not rust. Boat trailers for example, are subjected to salt water which can rust out a steel trailer within 3 years without continual care. Aluminium does not rust! |
| Is aluminium as strong as steel? | Aluminium is now available in various grades & finish. Some of the materials we use are in fact harder than the steel equivalent. In some cases, the aluminium may be larger or thicker to provide the correct strength. |
| What are the main benefits of aluminium? | Aluminium is so much lighter than steel and other types of materials. When building trailers this is the most important factor particularly when fuel costs are so expensive. Aluminium does not rust and can be left in it's natural state without painting or protection and looks just great. |
| Why not bolt an aluminium trailer together? | Trailers flex all the time when traveling and this flexing can cause bolted sections to become loose which accelerates the wear between the parts and eventually leads to failures. Many of the bolted aluminium trailers use stainless steel bolts for use in salt water but stainless steel and aluminium react badly to each other causing electrolysis which is a high corrosive action which again leads to failure. |