outside the box cheap as frame ? pallet rack beam

[saywhatthat]

As steel has gong insane in cost .looking at some of the Harbor Freight frame and alike . how about pallet rack beam .Can hold many tons of weight and because of the folds makes it super strong and lighter than tube .I .Seen the price about $5.00 a stick. Cutting the corners at a 45 would help the outside lineup on inside rails may need to add a bit of blocking. a few more spot welds on the seam . then run some sealant and keep the seam down for drainage or keep the seam up and covered. Where the axle ties in add a bit of 1/8 '' strapping .it is in the shape of a tube and with the folds super rigid . I believe it makes % 50 stronger than tube for weight

156184920_10221533486739860_2843214736038633795_n.jpg (129.46 KiB) Viewed 1461 times

[QueticoBill]

I imagine these vary between manufacturers. And are you comparing it to just square steel tube or also rectangular steel tube? Like 3 x 1 1/2. And I found many different sizes of pallet rack beams.

Steel is pretty much a per pound commodity and i would expect the welded and formed ends as well as paint on pallet rack beams would add to cost.

Also, what I found were 16 guage, 0.051 inches, so indeed thinner and lighter by more than half of 1/8 inch many use.

You may have found a deal, close out or surplus or liquidation. Google pallet rack beams and shopping, lowest cist I found was over $30 each + shipping. If you can get them for $5, buy them. Scrap value may be more. And if you have to double them up, still ahead.

[saywhatthat]

there are from a chip plant surplus See then in ads 5-15 ea BUT they may be harden steel
there a few more steps to weld. just bought 2.5 by 2.5 16'' wall 10 foot for $110.00US

[QueticoBill]

Just haven't see those prices. This is best I vould find: https://www.m-h-e.com/product/mhe-teard ... -beams-96/

The 2 x 2 x 1/4 x 8' I bought for my longer tongue was $30 a couple years ago.

[dmdc411]

Wouldn't trust racking parts for anything more than the intended design use. Your correct, they're strong, but not for a trailer frame. I'm not an engineer, but I think the racking would crack/fail miserably! Don't cut corners on the foundation of your build.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tonto]

I was actually thinking along the same lines. How has your build gone using the pallet racks?

[Philip]

Those make a good lite duty frame material. The recessed area on the frame is made for 2X boards to sit flush with the top of the rail. That makes a good area for the sub frame/floor. Drill and tap screws to secure with and done.

I have built a couple of trailers using it. Its easyer than repairing and modding a used frame to suit your needs. Plus used they are cheaper than new steel.

Those beams a rated for 5 to 8K lbs depending on the thickness of the beams. They make two thickness.

On the 45'd corners throw an L bracket on the inside to reinforce the joint.