There are a lot of popular myths floating around the horse world that people have a tendency to take as 100% fact. It’s easy to see how so many of these half-truths got blown out of proportion, as information that travels quickly has a tendency to change from person to person as it’s passed around. Much of this happens during horse shows when likeminded individuals get together to discuss the latest equipment and horse trailer news and products. Let’s take a look at these popular myths and set the record straight.
Steel Trailers Rust, Aluminum Trailers Do Not Rust
In the early days steel horse trailers seemed to rust easily and aluminum seemed to be the best choice for a horse trailer. People are still in that mindset today, even though steel manufacturers have drastically improved the quality of steel and have made it much more durable and less likely to rust. If the horse trailer you use has been made from raw steel, and this steel has not been treated in any way or painted, the steel will rust very quickly. What you want is a horse trailer made out of kotesteel. This type of steel is coated before it leaves the factory and is far less likely to rust.
Image credit: Stevenarens
Another strong type of steel that is great to use for horse trailers is galvanized steel. This type of steel is very durable and doesn’t rust easily at all. The only way this steel will rust is if it is welded and not recoated. The whole statement that steel horse trailers rust is a myth because not all steel is the same. Some steel is stronger than other types of steel so you can’t really make a fair general statement like that.
The one thing people tend to forget is that while aluminum may not rust, it does corrode. When aluminum begins to corrode it turns into a fine white powder. Aluminum horse trailers are actually very similar to steel ones. They each differ in the different type of aluminum that is used to make the trailer. What really makes a difference in the life of your horse trailer is the type of material that is used to make it, the overall quality of the trailer itself, and how well you take care of the trailer that you use to transport your horses in. Make sure that you keep your trailer clean and that you wash the floor of your trailer once a month.
Steel and Aluminum React to Each Other
It is indeed true that if steel and aluminum are used together they react to each other. However, the companies who manufacture trailers that are made from both aluminum and steel know how to incorporate both types of metal without them touching each other. These companies often use some type of protective coating or maybe even Mylar tape to protect the metals from each other. Most aluminum trailers have to use some type of steel transition parts, so this really puts an end to the myth of the “all aluminum” horse trailer.
This myth is one of the most popular myths out in the wide world of horses today. It is a myth that has survived the test of time and transitioned into the modern world of horse trailers, despite all the advancements made in the steel industry. Remember, the most important factor to keep in mind when choosing a horse trailer is the safety of your horse. Make sure that your horse has a safe and comfortable trailer to ride in and that his needs are met and you’ve found the best trailer around, regardless of what it is made of.