Trailer Weight and Metal Gauge...am I missing something?

[jamorgan3777]

Okay, I am getting ready to purchase the metal for my trailer frame and I did a theoretical weight of the steel and am surprised by a few things.

First off, I have seen discussions around 2x3x0.095 retangle being the same weight, but stronger than 2x2x0.120 so I am leaning toward the 2x3x0.095. I am doing flexiride torsion half axles so I can make the trailer the width that I want (overall box is 5' by 9'). As such I am going with a 3x3x0.120 "axle" cross member. I am also going with a 3x3x0.120 tongue. Then I got to thinking, why not make the whole thing out of 0.120 wall tube.

The weight of all components at 0.120 is ~285lbs, the weight of all components at 0.095 is 228lbs for a difference of about 60lbs.

I was surprised that the trailer frame was so light (only 285lb). and In the end, do I care about the 60lbs from the thicker gauge? I just "feel" safer welding thicker gauge metal. Might be way overkill, but 60lb doesnt seem like much to be concerned about.

[tony.latham]

...and In the end, do I care about the 60lbs...

One of the challenges with teardrops is keeping the weight down. It will add up with a bit or weight here and there throughout the process. You don't want a teardrop that ends up weighing 2,000 pounds or heavier and it can happen. If I could shave off 60 pounds, I'd do it.

I'm just about ready to order steel for a utility trailer I'm going to build. The frame will be 2" x 3" x .095". The tongue will be 2" x 2" .120" --the same three-piece design that I used on my last teardrop.

My six-bits.

Tony

[John61CT]

My understanding is, if you want greater strength you go thicker gauge, or higher profile rectangle, e.g. 2x4".

Many builders will use weaker & lighter crossmembers where just the floor is supported, with heavier/stronger to support the perimeter and high-stress A-frame and suspension mount areas.

Going wider - from 2x3 to 3x3" - does not add much load-bearing strength (as a beam).

The square profile helps against torsion (twisting) stresses I guess.

[Philip]

I would use the thicker gage on the members the suspension mounts to.

[saltydawg]

Okay, I am getting ready to purchase the metal for my trailer frame and I did a theoretical weight of the steel and am surprised by a few things.

First off, I have seen discussions around 2x3x0.095 retangle being the same weight, but stronger than 2x2x0.120 so I am leaning toward the 2x3x0.095. I am doing flexiride torsion half axles so I can make the trailer the width that I want (overall box is 5' by 9'). As such I am going with a 3x3x0.120 "axle" cross member. I am also going with a 3x3x0.120 tongue. Then I got to thinking, why not make the whole thing out of 0.120 wall tube.

The weight of all components at 0.120 is ~285lbs, the weight of all components at 0.095 is 228lbs for a difference of about 60lbs.

I was surprised that the trailer frame was so light (only 285lb). and In the end, do I care about the 60lbs from the thicker gauge? I just "feel" safer welding thicker gauge metal. Might be way overkill, but 60lb doesnt seem like much to be concerned about.

Its not like its just 60 lbs more its 25% heavier. when you think in % its a whole different story. if you want to split the difference do the main rails in .120.

[twisted lines]

Okay, I am getting ready to purchase the metal for my trailer frame and I did a theoretical weight of the steel and am surprised by a few things.

First off, I have seen discussions around 2x3x0.095 retangle being the same weight, but stronger than 2x2x0.120 so I am leaning toward the 2x3x0.095. I am doing flexiride torsion half axles so I can make the trailer the width that I want (overall box is 5' by 9'). As such I am going with a 3x3x0.120 "axle" cross member. I am also going with a 3x3x0.120 tongue. Then I got to thinking, why not make the whole thing out of 0.120 wall tube.

The weight of all components at 0.120 is ~285lbs, the weight of all components at 0.095 is 228lbs for a difference of about 60lbs.

I was surprised that the trailer frame was so light (only 285lb). and In the end, do I care about the 60lbs from the thicker gauge? I just "feel" safer welding thicker gauge metal. Might be way overkill, but 60lb doesnt seem like much to be concerned about.

Thank you for pausing in this area !
Either of these options would be a very good choice and so much funner to weld.

[twisted lines]

My understanding is, if you want greater strength you go thicker gauge,

Or add to the sides Height; as you said width will make little to no diff.
I think the guy found a Post that a Engineer may have stated it was stronger?

I am not one, but two cent say's, And I can edit this post unless someone locks it Or Quotes it

[saltydawg]

My understanding is, if you want greater strength you go thicker gauge,

Or add to the sides Height; as you said width will make little to no diff.
I think the guy found a Post that a Engineer may have stated it was stronger?

I am not one but two cent say's, And I can edit this post unless someone locks it Or Quotes it

[Ottsville]

Since very few of us have a good grasp on engineering, most of us overbuild. 60 lbs here, 20 lbs there adds up.

I would contend that most people way overbuild their trailers - think about this: the strongest part needs to be from your hitch to your axle(and with half axles, from one side to the other. Everything else only has to support your lightweight teardrop and the load in it. You don't need the same strength behind the axle that you need in front of it. And most teardrops would be fine with angle Iron as cross members to support the floor.

[twisted lines]

I agree A Triangle added to the tongue makes everything strong and very little more is needed to build upon?
Tonys tounge is so cool too.