Trailer Frame Help

Fattdaddy · Newbie Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 30

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

k.a.m. · Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 8:29 pm Post subject:

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. Very Happy

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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 9:16 pm Post subject:

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 Very Happy

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gandrfab · Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 9:56 pm Post subject:

I would go with angle and channel.
tubing can hold water inside and rot from the inside out.

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 10:24 pm Post subject:

ganderfab wrote:

gandrfab · Posted: Wed Jan 20 16 11:51 pm Post subject:

I made my comment for a amateur welder.

And I have worked on my fair share of rusted trailers.

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 12:25 am Post subject:

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.
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gandrfab · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 1:15 am Post subject:

This a discussion, not a argument.

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 1:52 am Post subject:

Who is arguing Confused

All my comments have been made in the mode of discussion. I can recap the discussion for you if you need?
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gandrfab · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 2:56 am Post subject:

No need to recap, Iz just a welder.

Typed words are hard to portray feeling or emotion.

k.a.m. · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 3:53 am Post subject:

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.

Hybrid Cooker

gandrfab · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 4:24 am Post subject:

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Thu Jan 21 16 5:11 am Post subject:

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 Wink

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X2 Finished Build
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Fattdaddy · Newbie Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 30

Thank you for all of the input, I appreciate it all.

Bill

az mike · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 382 Location: seaz

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.

dwilliams35 · BBQ Fan Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 136

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Wed May 04 16 6:14 am Post subject:

az mike wrote: