5 X 10 Trailer Questions

[bretsk2500]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I have some questions about a trailer I am planning on building. I am going to build a 5X10 trailer. (3500lb torsion, 14" wheels, steel mesh floor) I would like this trailer to be rigid and fairly heavy duty. It is going to be used to haul everything from ATV's to heavy firewood loads. My question is about the materials I plan to use. Instead of the flimsy angle iron most are constructed of, I am thinking of using medium gauge 1" square tube. (Or 3/4") Any ideas or suggestions.

I will be using a Miller 251 Wirefeed Welder

1x1 is waaaaaaaay too small for a trailer, don't even consider it. I've got a 3000# 5X10 trailer (Big Tex 29SA) that's all made of 2x3x3/16 angle, and it handled a 4500# cube of 8" blocks with NO flexing at all.

trailer mf'rs use angle because it's cheap and it works.

My 7000# 14' homesteader challenger (714CT) uses tube for the main frame rails, and angle for everything else. there's no discernable flex in that one either...

[FusionKing]

1x1 is waaaaaaaay too small for a trailer, don't even consider it. I've got a 3000# 5X10 trailer (Big Tex 29SA) that's all made of 2x3x3/16 angle, and it handled a 4500# cube of 8" blocks with NO flexing at all.

trailer mf'rs use angle because it's cheap and it works.

My 7000# 14' homesteader challenger (714CT) uses tube for the main frame rails, and angle for everything else. there's no discernable flex in that one either...

Heck what he probably saw was the suspension flexing

[Geezer]

Hope I did not rain on anyones parade. After building my 14ft, it sure appeared to me the initial specs on this post were on the light side. Thats why I shared my specs. I have two more trailer plans in the mill. A dump and a follow-on 18ft enclosed. I'll bump up the main runners and tongue on the 18ft to 3/16" rectangle tube. Will probably encroach on Debar kind nature for some general tips on the dump. This is a great site, lots of ideas, lots of practical experience and willing-to-help participants. Pleased to be assoicated.

[Jim-TX]

I'm not sure that I understand his intentions on material to use on the trailer. He only mentioned 1" sq tubing to begin with, then mentioned 2x4" steel for the hitch. If you build the frame out of 1" sq tubing and stick 2x4" tubing onto it for the hitch you have zilch. Maybe he's figuring 2x4" tubing for the hitch and frame and 1" cross members (too light). I guess we'll never know though.

[mk10]

Given the information that was provided, it's understandable why so many people feel that 1" x 1" tubing would be wholly inadequate for use in the OP's specified application. However, what these people fail to realize is, that not only is 1" x 1" tubing adequate, it is in fact more desirable to use than its conventional counterparts in certain circumstances.

For instance, if the frame were to be comprised of many diagonal/triangular elements forming a lattice (much like that of a truss bridge) it would make the whole assembly rigid, yet extremely lightweight. And this factor is indeed important, especially in light of some information that the OP inadvertently failed to mention--this trailer will be exclusively pulled by bicycle:

http://www.sfbike.org/images/resourc...r_shanghai.jpg

[monte55]

I believe if the one inch sq tube was reinforced with balsa and ca it would be ok.

[nfinch86]

Ya , Add some Balsa Wood and make it a Glider Aero Plane ??
.............. Norm :

[dabar39]

It looks as if I'm gonna have to recall all 647 trailers built at my location, all this time I thought myself and the other trailer manufacturers had something going with our designs. Boy, I guess we were wrong, 1" tubing and balsa wood was all we ever needed.

I can not even imagine how great a loss of profits I've had by not using 1" tube for the frames. Just thinking of the money I have spent on what I thought were the proper materials astounds me. I probably would'a been a gazillionaire by now.

At least it's not too late for me to reinvent the wheel, starting today I will start offering all of my trailers with a 1" square tube truss design frame as it is so much better than what we have commonly seen on the open trailer market. I'm sure all of the other manufacturers will follow this new engineering design as well.

mk10, I seriously hope your post was made in jest, the same as this reply is intended

[FusionKing]

I believe if the one inch sq tube was reinforced with balsa and ca it would be ok.

Monte!!!!....you hit a thousand posts!!!!!!

[monte55]

He!!...............I'm as surprised as you are........did I win anything?
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a