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Aluma A8816 ATV Trailer
MSRP: $4,137
Performance
I put the Aluma A8816 to work hauling demo machines to various riding locales all over central Pennsylvania. The fact that this trailer only weighs 760 pounds unladen allows small truck owners, like me, to haul multiple ATV’s or side-by-sides. With brakes located on both axles of the trailer, a heavy load doesn’t burden the braking system on a smaller truck, as long as the truck is equipped with an add-on brake controller.
At various times, my cargo has included multiple combinations of four full-size 4×4 ATV’s, a Polaris Ranger Diesel Crew and a Polaris RZR 570, a Kawasaki Teryx4 and a Can Am Outlander 1000XT, and a Yamaha Rhino and Yamaha Grizzly. While it might look funny with a fully loaded 16-foot trailer rolling down the interstate at 75mph behind a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, it’s very doable with the Aluma’s 4,400lb GVW and the Tacoma’s 6,500lb towing capacity.
Loading and unloading, which can be done from the side or rear, is made very easy using the Aluma A8816’s integrated ramps. The ramps are secured to the trailer with a small clip that keeps them from falling off. I’m scatter-brained, so there were several times when I misplaced the clips. A small tether that secures the clip to the trailer would be a welcome addition.
When hauling fewer than four ATV’s, I discovered load balancing was critical for a smooth ride. With an unbalanced load, the A8816 tends to bounce around a lot. However, with an evenly distributed load, I found myself forgetting the trailer was even attached. With a single machine aboard, positioning as much weight as possible over the wheels delivered the smoothest ride.
The Aluma A8816 should certainly be considered a premium trailer. The aluminum construction will provide many years of maintenance-free use and keep corrosion at bay, even after years of living outdoors. The LEDs produce a bright light and their lifespan will outlast a typical bulb exponentially.
The Aluma A8816 also employs a very important safety feature many trailers neglect. Trailers equipped with brakes have an onboard battery that provides power to lock the brakes and bring a runaway trailer to a stop, should it ever become disconnected. The problem with this design is a dead battery renders the emergency brake useless. The Aluma A8816 has an integrated battery-health indicator in the battery-box lid, making it easier for an owner to address a battery issue before it’s too late.
If you’re looking for a trailer to haul one or two ATV’s, there are better choices than the Aluma A8816. But, to haul multiple machines at the same time like I always do, I found this trailer phenomenal. With an MSRP of $4,137, this capability doesn’t come cheap. However, if you look at the money spent as an investment in a trailer that will probably outlast most relationships, the purchase suddenly makes more sense.
_**
Hits**_
- Aluminum construction is lightweight and won’t rust.
- Easily towed by a midsize truck like a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier.
- Visual indicator on surge brake battery health
- Aluminum floor won’t rot like competitor’s wooden floor.
- Drive-on, drive-off ramp configuration
- Four full-size ATV’s or a combination of ATV’s and SxS’s can be hauled simultaneously.
Misses
- More expensive than a similarly sized steel trailer.
- Unloaded or loaded unevenly, the ride isn’t smooth.
- Ramp latches are easily misplaced.
Key Features
- All aluminum construction
- 7’4″ x 16′ aluminum deck
- Dual 2,200lb rubber torsion axles with brakes on all four wheels
- LED lights
- Four integrated aluminum 12″x70″ ramps
- Eight tie down hoops welded onto the floor
- 4,400lb Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
- Only 760 lbs.
