Boxcar Frame Progress

[bdosborn]

My new frame is slowly coming together. The frame tutorial is a great reference, I couldn't have started building without it.





The tongue is 2x3x11G, the frame is 2x3x14G, and the cross members are 2x2x14G. The frame is lighter than I thought it would be but its no light weight. The3500# flexiride axle weighs a ton! I have to put the axle on next and then build the outriggers. The box will be 6-1/2' wide and 11' long with a 42" tongue. This is the first time I've ever worked with metal and I have to say I sure like wood better!
Bruce

[toypusher]

Ya know, I have heard of some folks building 'toy' haulers, but, I think that looks more like a 'tank' hauler!

Looks very nice, though!!! I like it!

[doug hodder]

Congratulations Bruce!!!! It looks like you have figured out how to weld huh?
I don't think you are going to have any flex in that frame lengthwise, but if you do...don't sweat it and don't put in a bunch of extra material/gussets to stiffen it up, when you get the body on it will all stiffen up. I get some flex out of the frames when done in 16 ga. but once the body is on, it's way rigid. I'm really envious...new welder, new iron, nice flat floor....ahhhhhh! Doug

[sseaman]

frame looks good, and very solid

[bdosborn]

Doug,

I welded up the coupler extension today and bolted on the coupler. Do you think I should box the end of the lower tongue tube? I thought I could run the trailer wiring down the tubing but I'm wondering if it I should box it. I boxed the extension. Oh and here's a closeup of the welds. A little sloppy but I think I got good penetration.



I'm glad you posted the info about not going crazy with gussets. I hooked it up to the truck and bounced on the rear of the trailer, there's some flex but most of it was the truck bouncing up and down. I put the wheels on temporarily so I could pull it down the driveway and check for scraping. No problems there.



Next I need to weld the axle on for real, I just have a couple of goober welds on it now. I'll grind those off and redo them. Then its on to the outriggers...

Kerry,

My frame can beat up your frame
Bruce

[doug hodder]

Bruce....I'd cut it back and cap it, just a cleaner look. You have a taller lift on your tongue than I do on mine, I left just a little upcapped on the 2x3 tubing so I could feed the wires through there for the plug. Doug

[toypusher]

Kerry,

My frame can beat up your frame
Bruce

OK, OK! You win by default!!!

[Joanne]

Bruce,

As I have come to expect from you, great job! Hard to believe that you are new to welding. Keep one thing in mind though, if you make it look too easy you will lose the mystique of being a welder. Even worse, I'll lose MY mystique. Now that folks are finding out how easy Dutch Oven cooking is, I've lost that reputation. All I have left is my welding and that's going quick.

Joanne

[bdosborn]

All I have left is my welding and that's going quick.

Joanne

Thanks Joanne but don't worry, I've seen your welds and you're still the Queen. I just wonder how many miles I'll have to drive the trailer before I forget that I welded it. And that it was the first thing I ever welded.

Bruce

[sseaman]

yes i would box the end in, keep things cleaner looking and just plain cleaner that way

[bdosborn]

I made some more progress on the frame:





I got the outriggers welded up. I angled the front of the tongue and boxed it in, leaving a little hole for the trailer wiring (The tongue is upside down in the picture). I also got the trailer jacks installed. I just have to weld on the receiver hitch on the rear and I can turn it right side up. Then I still need to do the axle welding and I can move on to paint.

Bruce

[sseaman]

good job closing it in, it looks good, are you going to paint the frame or use some type of bed liner material?

[asianflava]

I'm glad you posted the info about not going crazy with gussets.

All Must Bow Down to the King of Gussets!



This was built by some guy named "Guest"

[Tx River Rat]

This guy may be sharper than you think he has no holes in his tubing frame there all in the gussets.
Ron

[bdosborn]

good job closing it in, it looks good, are you going to paint the frame or use some type of bed liner material?

I have a quart of rustbullet primer and rustbullet topcoat.
Bruce