QUICK TIP
WHAT'S IN YOUR TRAILER? - Your trailer’s construction material is critical to your horses’ survival in an accident. Here’s what you need to know:
Steel
- Your tow vehicle, like most all cars and trucks, has a steel structure around the cab to protect you from front, side, and rear impact.
- A horse trailer should have a similar steel structure surrounding your horses to provide the same protection
- Steel structure on the roof will hold the trailer together if is flips.
- Steel structure on the sides will protect against lateral impact.
- Steel in the back protects against rear impact
- Steel has great formability, durability, toughness, and weldability.
- Steel is easier to repair, making steel the preferred material in the auto industry.
- A steel weld can be made as strong as the parent material.
Aluminum
- Pound for pound, aluminum is only 1/3rd the strength of steel.
- Aluminum sheers and tears when impact exceeds its stress point, greatly increasing the possibility of lacerations.
- Weld in an aluminum alloy is always weaker than the alloy being welded.
- Aluminum is rigid, conducts heat, difficult to weld, difficult to maintain strength, and costs more than steel.
- Rust is to steel as aluminum is to corrosion. Galvanized, Galvaneal, and powder-coated steels eliminate rust. Aluminum corrodes and is highly susceptible to alkaline in urine and manure, creating damage to trailer floors.
- Lighter weight aluminum trailers crush and fold from impact giving little protection to horses.
- Heavier weight aluminum trailers hold up better because of the use of more aluminum for added strength.
- Heavier aluminum trailers are more durable but more expensive.
Tom's Trailer Talk "Quick Tips" are provided by EquiSpirit Trailer Co.
