Welding vs Bolting

[jasonnilsson]

Has any one ever bolted a frame together rather than welding it? It sems to me that it would be cheaper.
Jason

[SteveH]

All of the Harbour Freight trailer frames are bolted, and yes, I believe they are cheaper.

[Nitetimes]

It all depends on what you want. If you want to buy the material it would be cheaper to weld it together as opposed to buying all the hardware and the time involved for drilling and bolting it together. But if you don't have the know-how or equipment to weld it together then a bolt together prefab is definitely the way to go. Much cheaper than having someone weld it up for you, unless of course you have a good friend willing to do it for a few beers.

[Rickxr2]

I just ordered my trailer from a local trailer company. A 4'x8' frame, #2000 leaf spring axle, 14" tires and spoke wheels, 2" .120 square tubing, 2" coupler and 4 stabilizer jacks. Unpainted the total was $400. I don't think I could buy a HF trailer and bolt it together for that price. Every town has a weld shop, it could be worth checking out.

Rick

[norm perkiss]

Our frame was done by a local welder. 5x9' frame, torsion axle, coupler, safety chains, and painted/sealed with an emulsion type of "paint". $500 for the trailer ready to roll, he also gave me some cool running lites. I furnished the tires and wheels.

2¢ worth: I remember seeing a special on the Discovery Channel on building techniques. If you use the correct type of bolts, they are as strong as welding, the bolts allow for torsion and flex in the frame. There are alot of Cubbys built on Harbor Freight frames running around out there.
Norm

[jimqpublic]

The bolt vs. weld issue to me is more about stiffness than strength. A utility trailer will do fine with some flex and racking. A teardrop body is rigid and will either be rather stressed by the frame racking, or more likely, will be stiff enough by itself that the frame won't rack.

Those prices of $400-$500 for a completed (unpainted) trailer already welded to your spec's seem pretty good.

It seems that if you couldn't find a local welder to build it so cheap, but you wanted the trailer welded, you could bolt together the HF frame then have it welded by a pro or a buddy? That way it would be a very quick job for him.

Personally I like the idea of the bolt-togethers in that you can modify where the axle and cross members go.

[mikeschn]

All of the Harbour Freight trailer frames are bolted, and yes, I believe they are cheaper.

The 5x8 red trailer certainly would have been cheaper than the route I went. But then again, it doesn't have a torsion axle, and those fancy star wheels that I've been drooling over for 2 years!!! It's all in what you want I guess!

Here's the link that Tom found for red trailers!!!
http://www.redtrailers.com/Trailers.asp

Mike...

[jasonnilsson]

Thanks for all the input! I'm not going to be buying a pre made frame as I need a weird size (68"Lx 60"W). I am going to be using 2"x2" steel for it. and it will have 1"x1" steel for the side frames and ribs. (I know it'll be heavy but I'll have a truck to pull it with ) The only problem is that I am not skilled with welding yet, so I don't trust myself to do it correctly, but I know I could bolt bowling balls together if I had to! i was just trying to figure out a way to avoid the cost of having someone else weld it.. There's arnt any members in Anchorage Alaska who would be willing to weld it for me are there?!
Jason

[ceebe]

Welded is probably a bit better way to go. That being said, a well bolted togther frame is going to be a lot better than a poorly welded one. Go with your strengths and find a way to work around your weaknesses.

[TomS]

All of the Harbour Freight trailer frames are bolted, and yes, I believe they are cheaper.

The 5x8 red trailer certainly would have been cheaper than the route I went. But then again, it doesn't have a torsion axle, and those fancy star wheels that I've been drooling over for 2 years!!! It's all in what you want I guess!

Here's the link that Tom found for red trailers!!!
http://www.redtrailers.com/Trailers.asp

Mike...

I'll be odering my 5 x 8 RedTrailer at the end of the week. I just noticed the the price has dropped to $450. It was $500 when I first spotted them a few weeks ago.

I haven't decided if I'll drive to PA to pick it up or spend the $90 to have it shipped. By the time I spend the $$ on gas and tolls, I won't be saving much. However, I am feeling the effects of cabin fever. A road trip might be nice.

[Larwyn]

I threw away the bolts that came with my Harbor Freight trailer after a couple of them broke off while tightening them. Replaced all the bolts with grade 8 bolts, then welded the cross memebers as well as the joint in the main rails. If a bolt fails, maybe the weld will hold and vice versa...

I actually believe that the frame would have been fine without any welding at all. But I did not trust those bolts that were supplied with the trailer after the heads started shearing off as hit them with the impact.

[Anon 1]

An impact wrench is a terrible choice. Best idea is to get a chart showing the amount of torque that each and every bolt shouild be tightened to and then using a decent torque wrench.

[Larwyn]

An impact wrench is a terrible choice. Best idea is to get a chart showing the amount of torque that each and every bolt shouild be tightened to and then using a decent torque wrench.

In pratice the impact was used to run the bolts snug. The ones that did not break were then tightened with a half inch drive ratchet. You check your chart, I'll be busy building my trailer......

[Anon 1]

It's obvious that your ability to follow the professional advise of fastener manufactures and with your evident limited mechanical abilities any further advice from anyone is wasted. Sorry for intruding into your space. I thought that this forum was about helping each other with good sound advice. My mistake!!!

[Larwyn]

It's obvious that your ability to follow the professional advise of fastener manufactures and with your evident limited mechanical abilities any further advice from anyone is wasted. Sorry for intruding into your space. I thought that this forum was about helping each other with good sound advice. My mistake!!!

Mr Anon 1

I have the ability, the tools, and the knowledge to follow the fastener manufacturer's advice, I also have the common sense to know when to take such extreme measures. I am building a torsion box on a bolted and welded frame. The frame will function quite well at keeping the axel attached to this rigid construction.

My "limited mechanical abilities" have made me quite a good living for many years.

Too late for advice on bolting my trailer frame anyway, maybe if it does fall apart you can say "I told you so"....

There is much good information on this forum. Like everyone else, I read what I want, and I use what I like, mostly I adapt what I consider to be the best ideas to my own methods, abilities, and the tools at hand.

One thing I have noticed on this forum is that most are willing to understand that there is more than one way to get the job done. Those who do not are limiting only themselves.

I'm building a teardrop trailer, not a space shuttle, don't think I will attempt to hold myself to NASA standards on bolt torque, paint thickness, or even aluminum finish. If you choose to do so then more power to you.