How to bolt the frame to the trailer???

[Alfred]

Hi Gang,

OK, as far as attaching my 2x4 wood frame to the trailer, I went to Home Depot, and they have the 3/8 inch bolts in all lengths. Assuming I use these, do I drill a 3/8 hole through all 3" of the 2x4 (passing through the wider side) and then through the steel trailer? Will this weaken the integrity of the 2x4 frame? How many bolts do I use? Also, do I attach the 1/2 inch floor then countersink for the bolts (I am thinking I will need to go a good ways into the 1/2" ply to allow the bolt to clear(?) I know these are dumb questions, but I've never built anything like this before!

Thanks, Al in Asheville

[len19070]

Alfred
I think you have a Tractor Supply Frame, or at least a Carry-on frame who is the one who makes the frames for Tractor Supply.

What I do is run 6 good bolts through, I use 1/4" bolts. Then about another 6 Lag bolts up from the bottom directly into the wood.

One thing you may want to consider too is I always add some small 3/8 thick spacers made out of pressure treated lumber where the bolts go through.

This gives you a space between the frame and the lumber. If any water gets on to the frame, you don't want the 2X4 laying in it. The space gives things a chance to dry instead of Ferment. The pressure treated spacer can take laying in water for a while.

Also I put the deck on last and counter sink or use carriage bolts.

Will you have any type of material on the bottom of the deck. If so now would be a good time to attach it and coat the underside of it with a sealer of some sort.

I use Driveway sealer or Roof coating.

Hope this helps.

Happy Trails

Len

[Alfred]

Alfred
I think you have a Tractor Supply Frame...

Hi Len - Yes, it is the Northern Tool 5x8, which is made by the same company that makes the Tractor Supply 4x8. Thanks for the feedback.

AL in Asheville

[asianflava]

Wow, that's a lot of lumber. I only used 1x2s.

[2bits]

I think you have the right idea as far as the bolts go. I just used four bolts and went through everything and put a nut on the other end. I didn't countersink my bolts since I just used 1/2" plywood for my floor so there wasn't much thickness to deal with. I figure the mattress is going to be sitting on it anyway.



I do think revisiting the 2x4 wood frame might be worth it though, that may be overkill for strength and the weight factor is important not to mention you will want to consider how it will affect how you get in and out. (you don't want the door opening too high). If you're already thought of all this then bolt her up!

[asianflava]

I didn't countersink my bolts since I just used 1/2" plywood for my floor so there wasn't much thickness to deal with. I figure the mattress is going to be sitting on it anyway.

My thoughts exactly. I didn't countersink the bolt heads, since I used 1X2s that would have reduced the thickness. The mattress covers up the heads just fine.

[Micro469]

I drilled a hole right thro the floor and trailer, hammered a T nut into the floor,and installed the bolt from underneath with a dab of locktite. any threads sticking up above the floor were cut off with a sawzall, and filed smooth.....

[ssrjim]

I used 1/4 inch bolts:




I counter sunk on the top side and filled the holes with wood filler.

[Nobody]

If you use the 'rounded' head Carriage bolts, the square shank just under the head will help keep the bolt from turning while tightening or loosening the nut & you can actually use the nut to help 'pull' the head down into the wood a little. I used 10, 3/8" carriage bolts on my floor to frame connection (yeah I know, overkill ) & after I put vinyl on top of the floor, you can barely see/feel the bolt heads & you surely can't feel 'em thru 5 1/2" of memory foam matress . Here's what they look like -

[2bits]

I was going to do carriage bolts too, but I just couldn't cope with that I couldn't put a socket on it. Too many year doing engine work I guess. I know they work, it's just a psychological thing.

[Gage]

If you use the 'rounded' head Carriage bolts, the square shank just under the head will help keep the bolt from turning while tightening or loosening the nut & you can actually use the nut to help 'pull' the head down into the wood a little. I used 10, 3/8" carriage bolts on my floor to frame connection (yeah I know, overkill ) & after I put vinyl on top of the floor, you can barely see/feel the bolt heads & you surely can't feel 'em thru 5 1/2" of memory foam matress . Here's what they look like -

Naw, not over kill. Your just making sure that the tear is not going to separate from the frame.

[Steve F]

I also used carriage bolts, 18 of them There's no disadvantage to using lots of bolt

Cheers
Steve

[Mightydog]

We used 22 3/4-inch bolts to hold the deck to the frame. Nothing has fallen off yet.

[Alfred]

Hi Gang,

As always the list comes through with great feedback.

Thanks!

Al in Asheville