Hello and this is my first question. Frame question

[Bigv]

So angib you are saying i should use a 2.5x2.5 x1/8 for the tongue instead

[doug hodder]

I've had extremely good luck with the work that Andrew did for me in a frame design. I don't think you can go wrong with his info. Something to think about: I don't know where you live or what you have for steel suppliers. It might be a good idea to see what they have in stock or regularly carry. Not all suppliers will have a full stock of all the tubing sizes/gauges available. A special order on a stick or 2 of material might just be cost prohibitive. Doug

[Bigv]

there is a supplier few miles away. I remember seeing it, a big sign and all the metal sitting in there fenced in yard. I am talking to my neighbors to see if they know how to weld. One has the welders. a 110 wire feed and a 220 stick welder. But he says he would not trust his weld. So my other neighbor works for ABush beer as a maintance guy, and he can weld so I should be able to talk him into doing the welding. I just hate the thought of bringing it to a welding shop. but if i had to i would. I have had to many bad experiances with getting advice from shops of all kinds. So i go to the real experts..... you guys.

[angib]

So angib you are saying i should use a 2.5x2.5 x1/8 for the tongue instead

I think that is sensible for a reasonable weight teardrop. There's no point going much bigger than that if it's welded to two 2"x1/8" square cross-members, as the cross-members wouldn't be as strong as the tongue. 3"x2"x1/8" rectangular is a decent alternative if you can't get the 2.5" square.

But I still prefer an A-frame for two reasons:
- there is no transverse flexing of the tongue (because the A-frame is so stiff) so it's much less likely to either crack or set up a wiggle when towed;
- the A-frame connects the coupler straight to where it needs to be connected (ie, the side rails), whereas the single tongue is connected indirectly via the cross-members, which are often not as strong as the tongue.

Andrew