deepmud wrote:make the tongue 1/4 hitch steel so it won't be a weak point.
Or, better still, make it from bigger not thicker tube.
3"x3"x1/8" tube is 50% stronger than 2"x2"x1/4" tube but it weighs 25% less and costs about the same.
Andrew
Moderator: Sonetpro
deepmud wrote:make the tongue 1/4 hitch steel so it won't be a weak point.
ntsqd wrote:The term is "Section Modulus" and it relates to the strength and stiffness of a component. In the case of steel tube the height and width are far more important to strength than is wall thickness. Even in torsion with a square tube! As angib was pointing out, you can gain strength with dimension without gaining weight. This is a well documented engineering fact, not "net theory". I don't know that the 50% stronger number is perfectly correct but, A) it would not surprise me in the least if it is and B) it is easily calculated. Search "Section Modulus formulas" if you want to look into this for yourself.
I'm sensitive to the easily dentable concern, so obviously wall thickness needs to be chosen to be appropriate for the location that the tube will occupy in the frame. The 2" tube for a coupler to fit restriction is a PITA, but there are ways around it if need be.
Where you need wall thickness to avoid the stressed parts from acting like a can opener lamination is the preferred method over thicker walled tube. That way you only carry the extra wall thickness where it is useful and not over the whole length of that tube. Quite common to see this sort of approach used in everything from Indy cars to highway bridges.
.
Return to Offroad Construction Secrets
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest