1/8 or 3/16ths

[Keith B]

I know everyone here likes the Harbor Freight trailers, but I'm going 5x10, so I'll weld up my own. Harbor Freight trailers are 1/8" angle...for those who build there own, are you going with square tubing and are you using 1/8th or 3/16ths. I know 2x1/8" round would be quite strong, but on square you better be dead on where you put the shackle, axles and shocks or you may kink it on a hard bump, drag, etc... any thoughts?

[mikeschn]

I used 2x2x1/8" square tubing for the chassis and 2x2x3/16 for the tongue.

My next chassis will be very similar.

Mike...

P.S. I use torsion axles for the simplicity and the built in damping.

[Leon]

I used 2x2x1/8" square tubing for the chassis and 2x2x3/16 for the tongue.

Same here, works great.

[madjack]

I used 2x2x1/8" square tubing for the chassis and 2x2x3/16 for the tongue.

My next chassis will be very similar.

Mike...

P.S. I use torsion axles for the simplicity and the built in damping.

...did the same!!!................

[Juneaudave]

Keith...don't froget to read the Frame Tutorial!!! A couple of our members did a really nice job putting it together.

Frame Tutorial

[asianflava]

I used 2x2x1/8 for everything, including the tongue. I'm not too happy with the tongue and actually shortened it. It was fine but I thought I'd get a little extra strength by chopping off 20in. I should gone with 3x3x1/8 or 2x2x3/16 for the tongue.

A good place for info is here:
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear84.htm

I found couplers for 3in tube all over th place. I had to look for a coupler for 2in tubing.

[Keith B]

There's safety in numbers... you all went w/ 2x2x1/8th and 3/16 on the tounge, so point taken and I'll do the same. Thanks for the tips fellas.

[bledsoe3]

I used 2X2X1/8 for the frame and 2X3X3/16 for the tongue. Probably overkill on the tongue.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... ic_id=1991

[RichAFix]

Do any of you 2"x2"x.125" framers know the weight of your frame with axles/tires? I am looking to custom build my own frame also, but weight is a concern. My frame will be 5'x'10. I want this to be strong, but the more I think about this I may want to tow it with a Dodge Caliber (1000# tow/150# tongue capacity). I have a truck, but it would be nice if the car could tow this also.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Rocky,
You could add a strap truss under the tounge and gain a lot of strength...

[doug hodder]

Keith...I don't know what your welding capabilities are, but check out some of Andrews materials/ strengths and weights in the design library, .120 and .090 2x square tube is readily available as well as 16 gauge which is what I welded up the last one with. Look around at what some of the manufactured trailers are using for tongues...my opinion...3/16, in a 2x3 profile is pretty beefy...could easily use a lighter gauge without sacrificing any strength, based on what you are building...and when it is all said and done...it's just that much more weight you are pulling, and having to stop. The body is going to provide a lot of strength, not like a piece of equipment riding on it and relying on the frame...you might want to drop Andrew (resident engineer) a PM for his thoughts...just an idea Doug

RichAFix...the frame as shown in the tutorial weighed in at 290# complete, 4'6" x 10 with a 4' tongue, rear jacks, tongue wheel, tires/wheels the works, and it has 15's on it.

[asianflava]

Rocky,
You could add a strap truss under the tounge and gain a lot of strength...

Yeah, that was my second worst case solution, cutting the welds and replacing it with 3X3X1/8 was #1. Since my buddy did it for free, I would feel bad having him do more work. Cutting down the length was easier. If I encounter any more flexing, I'll just replace the whole tongue. That way, I can add a tongue box.

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

Keith,
there are a few of us that have built our frames with angle I used 2x2x1/4" and a torsion axle, built similar to Camp-Inns frame, only they use 1/8". I can pick my frame up by my self with out wheels/tires. Has about 10,000 miles on her and still holding together.