Aluminum or Steel?

[Rezarf <><]

Howdy folks.

I am at a crossroads...

I am at the point of adding sheet metal to the frame I built up and I am trying to decide between steel and aluminum. Here are my thoughts on each. Care to chime in? I hope so :thumb:

Aluminum:
First, I like the idea of no rust on the aluminum panels, that and the fact that it wouldn't require a paint finish for protection is a huge plus, and offsets its initial higher purchase cost. The weight makes good sense too. My only concern is fastening the aluminum to the steel frame. I have been researching a combo of marine grade adhesive & rivets... there is also a product for the semi trailer industry that is a sealing "tape" that replaces mechanical fasteners... it is wild stuff for sure. 3M amazes me!

I may still make the lid out of 18ga. steel to "hide" the rivets.

Steel:
If I were to go steel the costs are much cheaper and I can always come back and weld things to it and modify it easier... that might be nice. The idea of rust on a trailer and my 40 isn't appealing However, steel can take a beating and keep going strong as well. Painting/undercoating will keep the rust at bay but in all reality it might be an uphill battle.

Let me know what you thinks! :victory:

 

[lionsbreath]

I would go metal. I like fact that you can tack weld things on as needed and the fact that it will take more abuse with out showing it. Alum wil show all of the the trail pin stripes.

 

[Martyn]

If you decide to use one of the tape products, or glues to adhere the panels the surfaces must be very very clean, otherwise it just won't work well.

The product works well in assembly line environments, when you are dealing with all new product but the slightest grease or dirt on a surface can be a big problem.

 

[Willman]

Steel....much cheaper!!!

But......Alum. is sure fun to work with!

:REOutShootinghunter

 

[Rezarf <><]

If you decide to use one of the tape products, or glues to adhere the panels the surfaces must be very very clean, otherwise it just won't work well.

The product works well in assembly line environments, when you are dealing with all new product but the slightest grease or dirt on a surface can be a big problem.

Yeah, that stuff wierds me out, have you guys looked into it at all?

Would you go aluminum or steel Martyn?

Thanks!

 

[Rezarf <><]

Steel....much cheaper!!!

But......Alum. is sure fun to work with!

:REOutShootinghunter

But if you add in all the rust proofing it is a wash.

 

[Martyn]

Yeah, that stuff wierds me out, have you guys looked into it at all?

Would you go aluminum or steel Martyn?

Thanks!

I think the tape is amazing, but like I said you have to be clean, clean.

We have looked into it but our design doesn't have the need for it. We do have some applications in future designs.

As far as materials go, I'm partial to composites, or ABS plastics.

 

[goodtimes]

Not sure where you live, but if it is wet, keep in mind that aluminum and steel don't really play well together....that whole galvanic corrosion thing.

Also keep in mind that while Aluminum is lighter, it is also easier to damage, and harder to repair in the field. It would be pretty easy to find someone that can weld steel in just about any town, but it would be much harder to find someone who can weld aluminum.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Aluminum and Vulkem 636 between it and the steel.

When you figure in painting and the time to paint it there is no real savings over steel. As strong as you have built the frame you don't need to worry about the skin providing any structure. So the best thing is keeping it light with .032 or .040 pre finished aluminum.

 

[Rezarf <><]

Aluminum and Vulkem 636 between it and the steel.

When you figure in painting and the time to paint it there is no real savings over steel. As strong as you have built the frame you don't need to worry about the skin providing any structure. So the best thing is keeping it light with .032 or .040 pre finished aluminum.

this is what i am leaning towards, a friend in my local club own a high tech sheet metal forming business, and I am waiting to hear his response before making a final decision.

Thanks! :thumb:

 

[UK4X4]

my 5 pennies worth...

On my first trailer in order to match the front box to the rear I used aluminum panels, glue'd and rivited to the steel frame, from the inside.



Depending on how much your panelling the weight diference can become quite significant.

off road damage.....duct tape and keep going, the steel frame keeps things together...

and also G10 resin - cloth material, light strong and easily cut, its similar to PCB material and used for rocket construction

http://www.jjorly.com/g10_fr4_sheet_material_price.htm

My new build is looking like 0.032 inside panels/not seen for cost and weight.
and cuttable with tin snips and gloves

I think my exterior panels are going to be 1/16" chequer plate.....I keep looking for dull finish, but all of it round here is shiny...which sucks

And it will take a while to jigsaw out the diferent sizes.

Then I need to dull them up so I can paint over them.

The panels will mount from inside the frame, so there will be no rivets seen, the only place I'm still working on is the top, juggling a self build RTT type thing, and then how to hide the rivets/fixings.

I used liquid nails between the panels and the frame, cut the spilage off and then caulked the seams and painted over.

I've also looked at nidacore etc etc, but for a small trailer the expence V's weight does not do much for me.

The thicker exterior panels are for security rather than anything else

 

[davegonz]

My vote is steel skin for the trailer. It's cheap, can be light if you go thin gage, and easy to work with. Make the lid out of aluminum.

 

[ntsqd]

Filon

 

[UK4X4]

I had a look at the standard filon, and they glue it to ply wood to get it strong enough, most trailer places sell it, and its as expencive as Alu chequer plate and they ship it rolled up.

I guess if your doing a large RV type trailer or teardrop it would work OK
as a nice waterproof cover

 

[Rezarf <><]

After much back and forth, I have decided to go all steel for a few reasons:

The cost difference is acutally a bit more than I first considered.
Weldability, repairability, "mod"ability.
Strength and toughness.
No electrolosis.
Cost

I am heading out this week to get the sheets cut and fitted. I will post up some pics when I get it done.

Rezarf <><