Aluminum or steel 40' trailer

I was thinking about getting an aluminum trailer with timber deck, most of our hotshot loads are very light but it would be a nightmare and too time consuming trying to secure to an aluminum deck and protect it.
I have a 20' Load-Max on single wheels, it's very light and durable. I can legally put 12,000 LBS on it while towing with a SRW F350 and get really good fuel mileage. This set up has given me the best bang for my buck for up to 12k payload. However sometimes I wish I had more capacity in a couple of different ways that would open up more possibilities such as a longer trailer with a top deck, hydraulic dovetail for LGC equipment, air ride for sensitive freight, 15k axles in a spread configuration to handle that once in a while heavier load.
There are a ton more options I would add to this/my ultimate hotshot trailer but it gets heavy and less efficient in other ways not to mention pricy. Never the less that's what it takes to make every hotshot load a can do load.
PJ seem to be the only manufacturer that can put my ultimate trailer together straight from the factory.
I wasn't aware they built them in Mexico? I thought they were built in Texas? I don't have anything against Mexico but I'm a believer in supporting the economy that supports me!

 

My current most most used lightweight setup:

 

Here we go, this forum is hard to post pictures to.

 

My smallest trailer made the most PM as well.

 

Isnt it it funny how that works!

 

Just a word of advise if you are leaning towards an aluminum trailer, a well built aluminum trailer will not be welded together, at least not at load bearing or points of stress, it should be bolted or riveted.

An aluminum welded joint is only half as strong as the supporting metal. I have 6 all aluminum trailers that Chapperal made for me back in 2004, they still look great today, and as you stated, no rust, no paint, etc.

My decks are almost all aluminum, but I did have two nailer strips installed when they were built, the decking also has some small ridges on it so it does offer some "grip" to a degree.

 

Cars would be fine on a metal deck, wood would be better for freight.