frame...looking for ideas 2

Anything to do with mechanical, construction etc

Postby JunkMan » Sun Dec 25, 2005 10:59 am

Here's mine before paint. The perimiter and tounge are 2" x 2" lightweight box tubing and the cross members and tounge braces are 1" x 2" box tubing. I used that material because it was something I already had laying around. I plan on using angle iron on my next trailer.

The corners are mitered and the tongue has been stepped to match the hitch height of the tow car (2000 VW TDI Beetle).

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Here's a side view after paint. We wanted the trailer to sit low to reduce the drag, since the Beetle sits so low. The axel is a Torflex from RedNeck Trailers.

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Postby zapj » Sun Dec 25, 2005 6:08 pm

My trailer frame was built with 1-1/2" tubing for the perimeter and 1-1/2" angle for cross members. The a-frame tongue is 2"x3" angle. I am using 13" wheels and have included rear stabilizers and a rear class 11 receiver for a bike rack or other accessory in the future. The bed is 58"x115" with a 42 " tongue.

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Postby Sonetpro » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:02 am

I picked this up last week on a local fishing forum for $125. The sparks will be flying today to modify it. Should make a good frame. 2x3 C channel with a 3x3 tounge.

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Postby Steve Frederick » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:59 am

Sonetpro wrote:I picked this up last week on a local fishing forum for $125. The sparks will be flying today to modify it.

OOOH!! I love the thought of sparks a-flyin'!! :awesome:
I'm gonna throw some sparks this afternoon! Frame for T-D number 4, starting today!
Here's the frame from our last Lil'Diner project..
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The frame..2" by 1/8"tubing, tongue, 2" by 1/4" tubing...The dropped area..12ga black iron sheet, welded into a box, then welded to the frame. Weight 310#.
Current project, a 4 by 8 lightweight design, will get a frame of 3/16" angle, and tongue of a single 2" by 1/4" thick tube.
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Postby Sonetpro » Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:46 am

I'm gonna throw some sparks this afternoon! Frame for T-D number 4, starting today!


Steve I have a question for you. The frame I got is 48" I'm building a 60" wide. I have a 3500lb axle with 2x2 tube and 15' tires. I was thinking about welding new spring seats 6" inside the old ones and building the floor to overhang the frame by 6" on both sides. Do you think it would work? Or should I put wings on it.

(BTW I just bought your CD.)
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Postby Steve Frederick » Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:28 pm

Sonetpro wrote:
I'm gonna throw some sparks this afternoon! Frame for T-D number 4, starting today!


Steve I have a question for you. The frame I got is 48" I'm building a 60" wide. I have a 3500lb axle with 2x2 tube and 15' tires. I was thinking about welding new spring seats 6" inside the old ones and building the floor to overhang the frame by 6" on both sides. Do you think it would work? Or should I put wings on it.

(BTW I just bought your CD.)


I'm wondering if placing the springs inward on the axle would put un-do stress on the axle at that point. Also, if the axle is a torsion unit, I don't think it's ok to weld ot it, due to the rubber components inside the axle. I tacked a bracket on mine for the water tank. I did it before I read on this board, about the potential issues of welding.
I'll pass on any suggestions due to my shy-ness to wander off the beaten path in regards to frames. I tend to go with what I know works, and play it safe!
There's a lot of expert experience here. Just wait for the more knowledgeable to chime in!

CD's in the mail box tomorrow! Thanx!!
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Postby angib » Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:56 pm

Sonetpro wrote:I picked this up last week on a local fishing forum for $125.

Good buy, Steve.

And I see it comes with the backrests already fitted for a transverse dinette - chuck some cushions on those bunks and rig up a table and you're ready to eat.
Of course, you'll get wet when it rains, but hey, no trailer is perfect....... ;)

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Postby asianflava » Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:13 pm

Steve Frederick wrote:Also, if the axle is a torsion unit, I don't think it's ok to weld ot it, due to the rubber components inside the axle.


Ditto that Steve, I think you are only allowed to weld to the brackets and not to the axle tube itself. They probably weld the brackets to the tube before they insert the rubber pieces. That's probably why they ask for the frame width when you order the axle.
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Postby Micro469 » Tue Dec 27, 2005 1:07 am

Maybe you can use these... looks Like you don't even need an axle. They look like they bolt onto the frame
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Postby asianflava » Tue Dec 27, 2005 1:51 am

$260 a pair is pretty spendy. That is more than I spent for my 2000lb Dexter #9.
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Postby Chip » Tue Dec 27, 2005 6:10 am

Sonet: I have a similar situation, 42" wide frame and a 48" wide box sitting on a 3500 lb drop axle, with 1500 lb springs,,so far so good,, I had to cut down the axle length to fit my frame and move the spring perches in to fit the narrow frame,,

With the additional beef in the 3500 lb axle over say a light weight axle I dont think the stresses would effect you, If it were on a light weight axle we might have a problem,

JMHO,, chipper :thumbsup:
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Postby Sonetpro » Tue Dec 27, 2005 6:57 am

Here's what I'm planning. Unless you guy's see something wrong with the setup.
I am going to use a 3500lb straight axle off another trailer. It's made out of 2x2 solid tube. I decided against the flexride. I am going to weld new perch's 6" inside the old ones. Then weld a drop tube to the old ones for a shock mount. Kinda like Finn did, but on the outside.

Think it would work :QM


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Postby Chip » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:02 am

Steve does this look familiar


http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/abc187chi ... as,1%3af,0


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Postby critter » Tue Dec 27, 2005 5:32 pm

hey all,
how abouth this, i am building my frame out of 1 1/2 x1 1/2 x 1/8 angle with a lot of braces,every 2 feet lenght ways and 2 ft cross ways, do you think this will hold up or will it be to flimsey?also my axle is 2X2 X3/16 tubing w/1 1/2 stubb axles welded in.has anyone else tryed this? and what is your thoughts?if yall think this is not strong enough i can cut it up and use the metal elswhere as all i have done is the outside of the frame w/3 crossbraces so far...not to much to butcher up yet...stop me before its to late. :thinking:
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Postby TRAIL-OF-TEARS » Tue Dec 27, 2005 5:58 pm

Critter,
here is my frame it is 2x2 angle 1/4" thick I used 3.5 -10' sticks. I also boxed the frame where the axel mounts like Steveh. I am using a flexride as well. The body of the tear will stiffen the frame a bit too so 1.5x1.5 might be enough for onroad use.


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