Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

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Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

Postby kevindford » Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:10 pm

Howdy,

Northern Tool 5x8 aluminum trailer- c-beam cross members nest into c-beam side rails, creating a gap between the top of the cross members and the deck. Gap is a bit over 1/8". Thinking I can use aluminum stock, or some sturdy thing wood strips to fill in this gap. I don't think washers over the three bolt holes will prevent deflection.

Did you have this issue and solve it? What did you do?

Thanks,
Kevin
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Re: Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

Postby Woodbutcher » Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:13 pm

While it is not real easy to see in this picture, I used a build up strip on the side rails equal to the bolt head height. On the cross member the build up was the same, plus the thickness of the frame rail that was inserted into the side rail. This made a nice solid deck and anywhere I wanted to bolt the floor down there was a solid spot. The gaps you see on the side rail side is where the bolt head from the frame protrudes up.

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Re: Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

Postby les45 » Sat Feb 03, 2018 5:39 pm

I glued wood strips over each cross beam and drilled a hole in the bottom of the deck ply for the bolt head:

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Re: Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

Postby kevindford » Sun Feb 11, 2018 2:15 am

Thanks guys- found some scrap ply of the right thickness and going to build up the deck.
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Re: Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

Postby exminnesotaboy » Sun Feb 11, 2018 8:05 pm

My HF frame had the same issue. I used paint stirrer sticks and it worked great.
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Re: Trailer Cross Members sit within Side Rails, ~1/8" gap

Postby Sparksalot » Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:06 pm

I honestly didn't worry about the crossmembers, and gaps. The weight of the cabin is borne on the side rails. The floor has enough stiffness to keep my sagging rear off the crossmembers.

If you look, and imagine, really closely here, you can see slight gaps.

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