SIZE/MATERIALWe wanted aluminum for this build to cut weight as our tow capacity is only 6200 lbs. We figured we could get a 24' aluminum, or an 18-20' steel... The extra size was compelling when we started looking at floor plans. We opted for 7' over 8.5'. The weight savings is significant: most of the 8.5's seem to use a thicker frame which adds a lot of weight. Additionally, its nice being able to see behind you easily without needing tow mirrors. Our floor plans worked out fine with 7' so there we are.
To put some numbers on it, I estimate that the Rance 7x24 alum will be about 2290 lbs from the factory. I anticipate putting 1500-2000 lbs into it, so we'll be around 4K lbs dry. That's fine with a 6200lb tow capacity, with plenty of room for cargo.
As a comparison, the ATC 8.5x25 bedroom weighs 5000 lbs dry. A Diamond Cargo (GA steel) 7x24 is about 3020 lbs (plus the 1.5 lbs I need to put in there), weighing in at 4.5K+ lbs.
Ultimately aluminum is saving us 500-1000 lbs over the steel product, or the most comparable aluminum offering. Given that we use this for moving every few years, that's an extra 500-1000 lbs of cargo which is pretty significant. My employer pays me about $1/lb I move so that's $500-1K every two years which slowly but surely will offset the price premium vs. steel.
As a philosophy I am avoiding anything that can ever rot or be water damaged. We want this trailer to last for 20+ years. So I don't mind paying up front for things like aluminum decking that will never rot when the trailer inevitably gets wet.
ORDERING PROCESSWe ended up ordering a Rance 7x24 aluminum custom toy hauler from Trailer Showroom.
We did investigate a few other alumimum options, to include other dealers of the Rance product. I don't think we got an amazing price deal on the trailer from Trailer Showroom. Our steel trailer from GA was a bargain, but there are a LOT of resellers of GA trailers and there's a lot of competition in that market segment. Less so in the aluminum trailer world, especially given where we could pickup.
We placed our order in mid-January, and the trailer was completed last week. I'll be headed out to pick it up next week. So plan ahead if ordering a Rance product. After your deposit is in, their engineers will work up a CAD sketch for your approval. Changes can be made after the fact but it will be a ~$80 change fee for each one so plan ahead.
Trailer Showroom has been a good middle-man. I've been working with Chris. He's worked a number of non-standard issues with the factory... For example, I want the walls bare to the studs, don't want them to put in a battery box (with venting that I'll have to rip out later), etc. All of this is non-standard and he worked it with the factory.
OPTIONS/PRICEThis is what we ordered.
- 7 X 24 V-Nose Aluminum TA Renegade Trailer (REEC724TA2)
- 18 Inches Additional Interior Height
- 5K Scissor Type Stabilizer Jacks X 2 Sets
- Upgrade F-2 Aluminum Jack
- Rear Bogey Wheels
- Renegade Series Trailer RV Door Upgrade
- Aluminum Grab Handle
- Custom Door Light Package
- 30 X 30 Egress Window X 2
- 15 X 30 Horizontal slider Window X 2
- Non-Powered Roof Vent
- Brace For Roof Mounted A/C
- 12V Powered Fantastic Roof Vent & Thermostat X 2
- Max-Air Roof Vent Cover X 2
- Two Tone Color With Anodized Divider
- Upgrade To 24" Stainless Steel Stone Guard
- Powder Coated Hardware
- 16" On Center Floor Members
- Extruded Aluminum Ramp With Flap
- 7 Foot Width Extruded Aluminum Flooring
- Aluminum Tread Plate Transition Flap
- Recessed Floor Mounted D-Ring X 6
- 18' Lippert Power Awning
- Pewter Awning Color
- Back Up Lights
- Exterior Light Upgrade Package
- Welded Step
Total cost of the shell from the factory was $17K.
That said, in comparison, price tag on the 8.5x25 ATC bedroom trailer is $40K. So we're still well-under what a premium aluminum trailer costs.