Bolting floor to trailer

[asianflava]

I have 8 5/8in bolts that go thru the floor and thru the square tubing. Nothing exotic, just a bolt with 2 flat washers on both sides and a lock washer and regular nut on the bottom. Didn't bother countersinking them because four of em are covered by the mattress and the other four are inside the cabinets.

[Mary K]

Well, Bill, As you can see, to each his or her own. I think I am going to change my mind, cause that is my prerogative, and use tie wraps to hold my floor down. Why be normal?



MK

[Nitetimes]

I have 8 5/8in bolts that go thru the floor and thru the square tubing.

WOW !!! You haulin coal in there or what??? Or are those regulation hurricane straps.




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[asianflava]

I have 8 5/8in bolts that go thru the floor and thru the square tubing.

WOW !!! You haulin coal in there or what??? Or are those regulation hurricane straps.

.

You know it's a good thing you posted that. I was going by memory, I think I may have used the 5/8in bolts to hold the coupler to the tongue. 5/8 just seemd to come to mind. Probably because those were the ones that I had to buy most recently (after I cut the tongue down).

The ones I used to bolt the body to the frame have a 9/16in head which probably means that they have a 7/16in shank? or is that a 3/8in shank?

[Kevin A]

I have 8 5/8in bolts that go thru the floor and thru the square tubing.

WOW !!! You haulin coal in there or what??? Or are those regulation hurricane straps.

.

You know it's a good thing you posted that. I was going by memory, I think I may have used the 5/8in bolts to hold the coupler to the tongue. 5/8 just seemd to come to mind. Probably because those were the ones that I had to buy most recently (after I cut the tongue down).

The ones I used to bolt the body to the frame have a 9/16in head which probably means that they have a 7/16in shank? or is that a 3/8in shank?

Rocky,
3/8" bolts generally have a 9/16" head. Are you sure you used a 5/8" bolt on the coupler and not a 7/16" bolt with a 5/8" head? a 5/8" bolt is a rather large bolt to be using on a teardrop trailer

I used something similar to these when I attached the plywood floor to the trailer frame,
http://www.stainless-fasteners.com/self ... screws.htm

[Dale M.]

Why not use "Elevator Bolts", they have large flat head that will be even with flooring, and you could use nylon lock nuts or traditional lock washers and nuts to keep them from coming loose...

http://www.aaronscapscrews.com/ElevatorBolts.htm

Dale

[Nitetimes]

I have 8 5/8in bolts that go thru the floor and thru the square tubing.

WOW !!! You haulin coal in there or what??? Or are those regulation hurricane straps.

.

You know it's a good thing you posted that. I was going by memory, I think I may have used the 5/8in bolts to hold the coupler to the tongue. 5/8 just seemd to come to mind. Probably because those were the ones that I had to buy most recently (after I cut the tongue down).

The ones I used to bolt the body to the frame have a 9/16in head which probably means that they have a 7/16in shank? or is that a 3/8in shank?

Rocky,
3/8" bolts generally have a 9/16" head. Are you sure you used a 5/8" bolt on the coupler and not a 7/16" bolt with a 5/8" head? a 5/8" bolt is a rather large bolt to be using on a teardrop trailer

I used something similar to these when I attached the plywood floor to the trailer frame,
http://www.stainless-fasteners.com/self ... screws.htm

Most likely it was 3/8" with a 9/16" head. The coupler should have been 1/2" with a 3/4" head, 7/16" bolts are one of the oddballs generally having a 5/8" head size and a 11/16" nut size. As you get bigger it gets more common, 9/16" bolts usually have a 13/16" head and a 7/8" nut size.
Now there's some useless information for ya.

BTW Rocky, I kinda figured that's what you meant. Just jerkin yer chain a bit.

[asianflava]

BTW Rocky, I kinda figured that's what you meant. Just jerkin yer chain a bit.

Yeah, but at least you didn't make a liar out of me.

Gotta keep me on my toes.

[bledsoe3]

Check my reply to another thread here.
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 410#147410

[AlStAubin]

Mike.. I am going with the T nuts also...picked up more then I'll probably use from the locall flea market.. My question-did you add any lock tite to the threads or is it needed? Ive never worked with the T nuts before.

[KA]

Hi,
It seems like most folks here on this thread are bolting their floors directly to frame members rather than to receivers welded to the chassis. Is there any concern about structural strength loss by drilling into the frame? Should a person be concerned with placement of the holes...too close to a corner, etc?
I apologize if I'm repeating questions here. My brain is getting a little confused and crowded with teardrop info. I'm going to the welder on Monday and am wondering if it would be worthwhile to have them do a little extra welding for bolt receivers.

Kris

[bledsoe3]

Kris, Have your welder weld some angle iron to the inside of the frame and bolt your floor thru that.

I used ten of them.

[angib]

Is there any concern about structural strength loss by drilling into the frame?

I think the rule should be: Don't drill into the tongue/A-frame - that can weaken it too much. But the rest of the frame is structurally pretty unimportant on a well-built teardrop, so drilling sensible-sized holes in it won't cause the slightest problem.

Andrew

[KA]

Thanks Jim and Andrew,
I feel like I can go to the welder now with a lot less anxiety.
It will be great to get that "much fussed over" axle out of the back of my car and finally welded to a chassis.

Thanks again.
Kris

[doug hodder]

I just bolted the deck down on the Rocketear, like an hour ago...did the angle tabs like Jim and 12 3/8 carriage bolts...just don't blow too big of a hole for them in the wood, make the steel hole larger...better off to go a hair smaller and smack them through with a hammer on the wood, then when you tighten them up they will seat...I had to do it this way...the dog refuses to hold the wrench on the top when I tighten...when you're working by yourself, you need to devise the easiest method to accomplish your goal...I've done 3 like this and haven't lost one yet..Doug