Aluminum vs. steel poles

[bas207]

I've had two Lonestar pole systems for 20 years and am now about to add a third pole, to hold either 8 or 12 Super Gourds. (I'm moving some gourds from my current poles because it's becoming too hard for me to operate the winch for the 16 gourds currently mounted on each pole. Things are getting heavier as I age!)

I'm debating between steel and aluminum poles. I'm mostly concerned about the strength of aluminum poles, given the fact that my poles are in a windy area and I don't always manage to lower them before storms. (Yeah, I know that's not great, but it's a haul to get to the poles from my house, and I'm not always home to lower them in time.)

Would a 16-foot 2" square aluminum pole be strong enough to withstand strong winds? Or do I need to move up to a 3" square pole? Or perhaps stick with steel?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Bird Brain]

I've no experience with steel poles, but I would definitely choose a 3" aluminum over a 2" in a windy area.

[C.C.Martins]

Kinda late on this one, iv one of the lone star gourd racks and steel pole, plus aluminum ones. Both did just fine during hurricane Hanna (Cat 2). I think you will find the aluminum pole either 2 or 3 inch to be surprisingly strong. I spent a long time off season cleaning the steel pole, just wiped the aluminum one down. If you go that route, you will like the aluminum.

For a 16 foot pole, and gourds id go 3 inches.