Trailer: To Weld or Not to Weld?

[H-Balm]

So, let's get your opinions. How much value to you put on having a welded frame? Please give your thoughts.

I am having a difficult time accepting a bolt-together. It just seems.....well, hard to accept. Am I being too worried, or is this concern well-founded?

[Gage]

If your having a difficult time accepting a bolt-together, then have one welded together for you. After all, your the one who has to live with it regardless of who says what.

[madjack]

H, I would go with a welded trailer...there are a kazillion bolt together frames out there and they do a nice job BUT, they are small, cheap, trailers...if you go with a 5x8 or 5x10 TD frame from RedTrailers, it will cost you as much as having a custom frame built...if you go welded, you can build it the way you want, with steel sizes, fenders, lights, wheel/tire sizes, etc. all up to you...you can also build a lighter frame than they (RedTrailers, etc) will sell you because of liability purposes...if you can't weld, buy the steel, cut it and fit it and find a friend to comeover and weld or hire a weldor/w/truck to come out and weld it up...barter in most of these cases can be your best friend!!!!
madjack

[Mark72]

I welded mine. It gave me the freedom to locate the crossmembers for support under the galley bulkhead etc...


Mark

[Arne]

Weld...

[Alphacarina]

Unless it wasn't possible for some reason (the welder wanted $2,000 for an hour of his time) I would weld it too . . . . no question

Once you decide to weld it, then you may discover that buying some box tubing and a custom axle is a better deal all around than buying a HF trailer, or some other lightweight 'one size fits all' bolt together trailer

My 1400 pound torsion axles (including hubs) cost me $180. 40' of 2 X 2 box tubing with a 1/8th wall adds another $115. 20' of 2 X 2 angle with a 3/16th's wall adds another $35. $20 more for a hitch coupler and I wouldn't want the HF lights anyway. I'm using a pair of 15 inch alloy automotive wheels (to match my car) that I bought off eBay and a couple of used tires that I already own . . . . but could buy used at the tire store for $25. Add in $10 worth of welding rods and I've got about a $400 custom built trailer frame exactly designed to suit my needs - It would probably cost me $150 to modify a HF trailer to do what I need and wouldn't be nearly as strong as what I'm building from scratch anyway

Don

[Kens]

Under $300 welded Tractor Supply.

[Dale M.]

Welds don't ususally come loose, unless poorly done...

Dale