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Fattdaddy Newbie
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 30
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Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 2:07 pm Post subject: Trailer Frame Help |
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I am planning on building a 5'x10' trailer (not including tounge) with a single 3500 # axle trailer for a couple smokers. My question is what material and gauge should I use to frame out the trailer?
Heres what I was thinking;
Frame = 2"x 3"x 1/8" tubing
Cross members = 2"x 3"x 3/16" C channel
Tounge = 2"x 3" X 3/16" tubing
I also thought about framing the whole trailer out using all C channel.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bill |
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k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26012 Location: Southeast Texas.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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If I were going with the C channel I would use 4" 5/4 Channel iron for the whole project. You can use 3" x 3" angle for your cross members.
Troy will be in here in a minute to line you out on tubing that is what he uses for his yard trailers he builds.
I hope this helps.  _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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I would personally use 2x4 tubing for the build, but that is just my preference and what I use for all of my trailers up to 18'. I have used 2x3 on a 6x12 trailer before and it worked out just fine. Either way you go, I would use 11ga tube for the frame and cross members and definitely step up to the 3/16 or even 1/4 for the tongue rails. The 11ga cross members will be plenty strong for the build because your cookers or components are going to be welded in place and never move, so they are basically going to become part of the framework.
This is a 5x10 I built for the X4 BUILD, it is 2x4x1/4 framework and tongue, but that is what I had scrap of laying around. The cross members are 2x2x11ga except for a 2x4 tube I used where the cooker would weld to the framework.
If you need any help along the way, don't be shy to ask  _________________ X2 Finished Build
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gandrfab BBQ Fan

Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Posts: 220 Location: Edgewater fl
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Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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I would go with angle and channel.
tubing can hold water inside and rot from the inside out. |
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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ganderfab wrote:
Quote: | tubing can hold water inside and rot from the inside out |
If done right you will have no problems at all. Weld all your seams up solid and you wont have any issues. Any moisture from humidity that does accumulate over time will evaporate in summer months because of the temps. You can also weld 3 sides of the tube and leave the bottom not welded so any moisture there is can drain, or you can weld solid and drill a couple weep holes in the tube for drainage if you think its a concern. I built a trailer out of tubing that was 17 years old when it got T boned at an intersection and I cut it up for scrap for the owner before building him a new one. The steel on the inside was just about as clean as it was the day I built it. All you have to do is do the work right the first time, and it will last you a lifetime. _________________ X2 Finished Build
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gandrfab BBQ Fan

Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Posts: 220 Location: Edgewater fl
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Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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I made my comment for a amateur welder.
And I have worked on my fair share of rusted trailers. |
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 12:25 am Post subject: |
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I made my comments for the amateur welder as well, giving 3 different ways it can be done and not have any concerns for moisture building up on the inside that would cause any long term problems. I too have welded my share of rusted trailers, and with that I have learned what works and what doesn't work. _________________ X2 Finished Build
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gandrfab BBQ Fan

Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Posts: 220 Location: Edgewater fl
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 1:15 am Post subject: |
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This a discussion, not a argument. |
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Who is arguing All my comments have been made in the mode of discussion. I can recap the discussion for you if you need? _________________ X2 Finished Build
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gandrfab BBQ Fan

Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Posts: 220 Location: Edgewater fl
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 2:56 am Post subject: |
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No need to recap, Iz just a welder.
Typed words are hard to portray feeling or emotion. |
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k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26012 Location: Southeast Texas.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 3:53 am Post subject: |
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The only tubed trailers I have ever seen rust were boat trailers especially in salt water conditions Most boat manufacturers are now going to the tubed aluminum and some of the higher end boat companies are using aluminum I beam on their large offshore trailered boats.
Almost all high end trailer builders I know of from utility to 30,000 cookers use tubing now. The 5/4 channel is a bit stronger in long spans but it is also heavier in finished weight so choosing your material wisely is always a good idea. _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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gandrfab BBQ Fan

Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Posts: 220 Location: Edgewater fl
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 4:24 am Post subject: |
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gandrfab wrote: | No need to recap, Iz just a welder.
Typed words are hard to portray feeling or emotion. |
I hide under that leaf, truth be told It's my welding and fabrication company. |
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 5:11 am Post subject: |
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Kevin, I did some contract work a few years back for a boat manufacturer, it was great money...but it was 2 1/2 x 4 hot dipped galv. It was terrible welding, but it was what they did to not have to worry about the tubing doing the "rot from the inside out" thing. Living close to 3 very popular lake destinations, I see a ton of boats on trailers from all over the US drive through, I've seen a lot of galvanized, steel, and some aluminum as well, all from major manufacturers, and 90% or more were all out of tubing. Im sure they went off the same principal that if done right, being sealed off completely, or drain holes, there really is no issue in using tubing on a trailer build  _________________ X2 Finished Build
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Fattdaddy Newbie
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 30
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Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 10:19 am Post subject: Thanks! |
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Thank you for all of the input, I appreciate it all.
Bill |
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az mike BBQ Fan

Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 382 Location: seaz
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Posted: Thu Apr 21 16 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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A little off the subject but I'd add for thought. We just built another irrigation pivot at our farm. The Zimmatic had the best, most complete galvanize I'd ever seen! I did a bit of research and understand that Zimmatic has a 50' dip tank in NE. Great welds and totally galvanized for long life. If I could sneak in some stuff....Jeep frame, trailers etc!
Trailerbuilder, looking at your trailer photos I couldn't help notice your chickens could use some vitamins or something. |
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dwilliams35 BBQ Fan

Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 136
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Posted: Fri Apr 22 16 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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TrailerBuilder wrote: | Kevin, I did some contract work a few years back for a boat manufacturer, it was great money...but it was 2 1/2 x 4 hot dipped galv. It was terrible welding, but it was what they did to not have to worry about the tubing doing the "rot from the inside out" thing. Living close to 3 very popular lake destinations, I see a ton of boats on trailers from all over the US drive through, I've seen a lot of galvanized, steel, and some aluminum as well, all from major manufacturers, and 90% or more were all out of tubing. Im sure they went off the same principal that if done right, being sealed off completely, or drain holes, there really is no issue in using tubing on a trailer build  | . I think we've just got a regional difference here; I wouldn't have a bit of problem in a standard freshwater lake area doing a boat trailer out of just painted steel rectangular tubing; however, k.a.m. and I both live in the land of saltwater trailers; there's people down here that build 5x10 utility trailers out of stainless and aluminum just so you don't have to jack with it. I had to think long and hard about channel vs. tubing on the one I'm building now, just figuring out the odds of it making a beach trip or ten, and how that'll affect longevity... I really think it's an issue here. I really live a long way from the coast, and I honestly think there's a difference in just how fast steel rusts here depending on whether we've got a north or south prevailing wind that week.. |
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TrailerBuilder BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 3151 Location: Springfield MO
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Posted: Wed May 04 16 6:14 am Post subject: |
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az mike wrote:
Quote: | Trailerbuilder, looking at your trailer photos I couldn't help notice your chickens could use some vitamins or something. |
Man, I had to take a double take and see what the H you were even talking about. That is an old pic for sure, around Halloween time, which is my wife and kids favorite time, so those are ghosts lurking around...still underfed, but not chickens
dwilliams35 wrote:
Quote: | I think we've just got a regional difference here; |
I couldn't agree with you more. Its all about the region for sure. And you have to be careful when picking your materials in those regions. Ive seen stainless steel rust away as well, of course it was a chit grade of stainless, but when you pay the money for stainless steel, you think youre getting the best of the best. Not always the case. _________________ X2 Finished Build
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