ALCOM Trailers
No pickup truck? No problem. You can safely tow many ALCOM aluminum trailers with your SUV, minivan, or Jeep. Minivans may not be the most glam rides on the road, but they're known for their prowess at moving lots of gear, and some are surprisingly well-rated for towing trailers! Subaru Outbacks, Honda CRVs, Jeeps and more mid-size utility vehicles are ready and able to haul trailers.
Sometimes a truck doesn’t fit your budget; sometimes it just doesn’t suit your lifestyle. Either way, if your backseat or trunk don’t quite haul enough cargo for your team, family, or business, a compact aluminum trailer can solve your problems, and ALCOM will explain how to do it safely.
Know Before You Tow
For a detailed explanation of towing capacity, visit Kelley Blue Book’s towing capacity guide. Remember, towing capacity varies widely between vehicle types, and between models within a class. It can also vary within a single model if multiple engine/transmission options are available. Plus, published towing specs will only account for the driver’s weight, so you’ll need to consider passengers and gear when making your calculations.
For help calculating capacity, check out online tools that will help you dial in your details. Regardless of your vehicle’s towing capacity, best practice is to keep your tow weight at least 10% less than the maximum.
Getting the right trailer hitch for your vehicle and trailer is crucial for a safe and secure tow. Your ALCOM dealer should be able to make a recommendation – or even perform the service for you when you order your trailer. Good news! As towing titans U-Haul put it: most vehicles can have a trailer hitch installed.
Choosing a Trailer
When you're getting ready to choose a trailer, our first tip might seem obvious: invest in aluminum. Why? At ALCOM, we build aluminum trailers because they’re lighter than steel but immune to rust, and for most recreational and light- to medium-duty commercial hauling applications, they’re available in the size and style you need. This is especially true for folks planning around a smaller tow vehicle. It’s easy to hitch on just about any trailer to your Grandpa’s full-size pickup, but if you’re a small business owner with a small to mid-size SUV, crossover vehicle, or larger sedan, you need a trailer that won’t outweigh its capacity.
Every pound of trailer curb weight you save becomes an additional pound of available payload. When your tow vehicle’s GVWR and tow capacity are limited, these pounds of cargo capacity are more important than ever. Don’t use them up by towing a steel trailer when ALCOM’s American-made, rust-resistant, lightweight aluminum trailers are available across the USA and Canada.
Did we mention they don’t rust? It’s kind of a big deal. We hate rust; you hate rust; trailers hate rust. When they’re built from aluminum, they aren’t going to end up covered in rust spots that turn into holes. We’ve heard from customers in the past about how a rusted trailer floor can turn into a nasty surprise, any time of year; aluminum construction gives you peace of mind.
When you’re ready to choose an aluminum trailer, create a checklist of your needs and the specifications you’re working within, like:
- Vehicle towing capacity (ft-lbs of torque)
- Tongue weight capacity
- Cargo you need to move (dimensions, weight, tie-down requirements)
- Features you need, like tie-downs, ramps, lights, etc.
Compact Aluminum Options
Ready to track down your ideal aluminum trailer? Maybe you want to go straight to that ALCOM dealer you drive past every day on the way to work. But maybe you want to browse a little first - so start here, with a closer look at some of ALCOM's most compact offerings.
Enclosed Cargo Trailers: Mission’s enclosed aluminum cargo trailers are available in 4’x6’ with a curb weight of 650 lbs. and 5’x8’ with a curb weight of 875 lbs. Build out the interior with factory and DIY upgrades to completely customize any size enclosed aluminum cargo trailer.
Enclosed Snow Trailers: With a SnoPro Hybrid or a High Country Crossover, you can haul snowmobiles all winter and camping gear or bikes during the summer at just 5' x 12' and a curb weight of 600 lbs. You've seen these on the road before and if you haul one, you'll understand why.
Aluminum Dump Trailers: CargoPro’s aluminum residential dump trailers are available in 4.5’ and 5’ wide. Each model weighs than 850 lbs. So light a side-by-side can haul it; these aluminum dump trailers are as versatile as they are compact when you add optional D-rings.
Open SSR Utility Trailers: The High Country SSR Open Utility Trailer has 20" fixed sides, marine tech plywood decking, and optional D-ring tie-downs. This open hauler comes in 5' x 8', 5' x 10', and 6' x 12', with curb weights under 450 lbs, making it a great choice for many tow vehicles.
Personal Watercraft Trailers: Triton's aluminum PWC trailers start small with a 1-place WAVE at just 170 lbs. curb weight; larger models can haul up to four PWCs. Low profile doesn't mean limited features, either - get ISA bunks and bow stops, UV-resistant keel guard, and sealed LED lighting.
Raft & Kayak Trailers: If you have more kayaks than you can comfortably stack on your Subaru Outback's roofrack, or you're float fishing with an inflatable raft, check out ALCOM's specialty trailer options for welded aluminum frames and lightweight construction to go.
Before You Tow
Once you've chosen the right trailer for your hauling needs and tow vehicle, it's Don't skip your pre-towing checklist, even for the quickest trips across town. A trailer and tow vehicle that are well-maintained and frequently inspected are less likely to break down in the middle of a job or adventure.
- Check trailer tire condition & air pressure; repair, replace, or add air if needed.
- Check trailer wheel lug nuts & bolts; tighten them if necessary.
- Make sure all pieces of equipment that connect the trailer & tow vehicle are properly secured and adjusted.
- Make sure the trailer wiring is connected properly; it should be loose enough to make turns without damaging or disconnecting, but not so loose it drags or catches on the ground.
- Check all the trailer lights to make sure they’re working: brake lights, marker lights, turn signals, backup lights, canopy lights, etc. Check your tow vehicle's lights, wipers, and fluid levels while you're at it!
- Load your cargo so the weight is well-balanced, and secure all cargo with proper tie-downs.
- Check and secure all locks, latches, tie-downs, etc. Anything that needs to stay put while you're on the road should be safely secured before you start the engine.
On The Road
Driving with a trailer is different from driving your minivan, truck, or SUV alone, and it might take some practice if you're new to hauling. That's okay -- take the time to learn about how to safely hitch your trailer and maneuver your vehicle while it's attached, and take your time getting where you're going. There's no rush when you're hauling, even if your rig is small.
General best practices when towing include taking your time -- accelerate and decelerate slowly, leaving yourself plenty of room to slow down when approaching intersections, turns, other vehicles, pedestrians, etc. Take wider turns than usual to make sure your whole trailer makes the corner safely; this might take some practice. Don't forget to use your turn signals; always give other drivers plenty of notice when maneuvering your trailer through traffic. Pay attention, take your time, and have a great adventure!
Find Your ALCOM Dealer
There’s probably an ALCOM dealer in your area, and they’re going to help you narrow down the options for safe towing with your car or SUV; check out our brand sites below for more detail about all the sizes, options and configurations available for American-made aluminum trailer that fits your lifestyle, budget and tow vehicle. Don’t forget to check out Dealer Locator tool on every brand site to find your nearest ALCOM aluminum trailers dealer!
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