Got my frame yesterday

[eamarquardt]

I like the receiver tubes and think I'll add some but instead of using solid tubes maybe just a couple of 1" sections spaced mabye 6 inches apart to save a little weight and money (real receiver tube is more expensive than regular tubing).

How did you get the reciever tubes through the tongue tubes?

Cheers,

Gus

[Cliffmeister2000]

How did you get the reciever tubes through the tongue tubes?

Gus

I was wondering the same thing...

[bobhenry]

If I had to guess the tongue was cut out for the reciever tube to pass thru and then welded all around. This would leave the tongue tube just as strong if not a bit stronger than before.

On the original thread we discussed replacing the front member of the frame with the open tube. This would greatly reduce the stress on the attaching welds. As weight was applied on one side it transfers to the other as lift to assist, making these attach points much stronger. Since the original front member was replaced there would be very little added weight.

[eamarquardt]

On the original thread we discussed replacing the front member of the frame with the open tube. This would greatly reduce the stress on the attaching welds. As weight was applied on one side it transfers to the other as lift to assist, making these attach points much stronger. Since the original front member was replaced there would be very little added weight.

I can't visualize what you are trying to tell me. Help!

Cheers,

Gus

[bobhenry]

Front and rear tube ride under the side frame rails. A triangular gusset could be added if you feel so compelled.

[Aint2Proud]

The receiver tubes are 12" premade from HF. They were about $12 each. The diagonal piece was cut the receiver placed and welded all around. As added insurance a 3/16 plate was cut and welded on top tying everything together. Youse get a couple of pounds of weight savings by doing the 1" slices, but I think it would be nominal and require A LOT more work.

[eamarquardt]

Front and rear tube ride under the side frame rails. A triangular gusset could be added if you feel so compelled.

OK!

If I had to guess the tongue was cut out for the reciever tube to pass thru and then welded all around. This would leave the tongue tube just as strong if not a bit stronger than before.

I am "inherently distrustful" of weldments. I think better to have contiguous pieces of tubing than several pieces welded together. Just my "paranoia" creeping to the surface.

The receiver tubes are 12" premade from HF. They were about $12 each. The diagonal piece was cut the receiver placed and welded all around. As added insurance a 3/16 plate was cut and welded on top tying everything together. Youse get a couple of pounds of weight savings by doing the 1" slices, but I think it would be nominal and require A LOT more work.

My rational:

I like the flexibility of having nice accessory mounts at each corner that you planned and provided for.

Your frame is layed out differently than mine. I just have to weld the pieces to the bottoms of the cross members, no slicing and dicing of the tongue pieces or gussets required. Easy peasy!

One piece of reciever tubing versus 4: Save $36 (plus nearly 10% sales tax here in glorius California) of Suzy's money (it's all her money). Enough for 4 nice lunches at Mission Burrito with leftovers (sans beer).

My horizontal band saw with a bimetallic blade cuts tubing like butter. Takes 30 seconds to set up cut, turn on saw, trot off to do something else, and wander back when the cut is complete, the cut piece falls to the ground, and the saw automatically shuts off. Total elapsed effort on my part: 4 minutes.

One piece of tube weighs 1/4th the amount that 4 pieces do. This means I can drink a lot more beer, have more burritos, and get the same gas mileage. Win/win!

Stick a piece of tubing through the two pieces to hold them in alignment while tacking them in place. 30 seconds each corner. Total time: 2 minutes.

A couple of 1" slices ought to be more than sufficient for umbrella mounts, removeable jacks, or other accessories. Typically I'm an "overkill in moderation" kinda guy but I don't think this will be "underkill" for the intended purposes.

Easier to get paint inside of the 1" sections resulting in fewer rust stains on my concrete (you can't park a vehicle on dirt here in Simi Valley as the powers that be passed a law making parking on dirt illegal). My dump trailer drips rusty water at times from the inside of the tongue tube where it can't be reached and painted.

I have "too much time on my hands" (but not enough energy) but don't see the extra effort as extrordinary. Suzy has enough money for 4 tubes but I get "points" for pointing how how much of her money I save when spending it exactly as I choose!

I may be "mistaken" but I am never "wrong". Even Suzy says that I'm never wrong and I'd never disagree with her!

See disclaimer.

Cheers,

Gus