Sheet metal thickness for expo trailer w/RTT

[Brianj5600]

I am to the point I need to skin my trailer. I'm not wanting to overbuild in this area and maybe using different gauge in different areas. It will have robust running boards/nerf bars to help keep the sides protected. How thick of steel are you using? Now that your trailer is built would you go thicker or thinner?

 

[mikeprince]

Mass produced trailers are 14 to 18 gauge. And they are designed to haul 1500lbs of gravel and not get too dented up.

For your trailer, what is the metal holding in? And how much do you care about dents?

My preference is to spec the bed for holding a few hundred pounds of light camping gear and I don’t care if it dents easily, so I would tend to pick thinner metal and save a bunch of weight.

 

[Brianj5600]

Almost the entire floor will be slides supported by angle iron. I'm more concerned about a rock damaging the bottom than something in the box.

The top will be a couple inches longer and about an inch wider than the RTT. I feel like all I need on top is something to keep water out.

The sides should not see much abuse. Dents aren't a big worry.

 

[CampStewart]

16ga bottom and 20ga sides and top

 

[dytrdr5]

The one I just built uses 12 gauge all around, it’s still light enough that I can easily move it by hand. Also lid is 1/8 aluminum. I don’t know if I would trust very thin material to hold the RTT

 

[Brianj5600]

The RTT will not be mounted to any sheet metal. 12 ga would be 210 lbs heavier than 16 ga on my trailer. 16 ga floor and 20 ga sides and top would save another 83 lbs. for a total of 293 lbs.

My preference is to spec the bed for holding a few hundred pounds of light camping gear and I don’t care if it dents easily, so I would tend to pick thinner metal and save a bunch of weight.

Can you be more specific on floor, sides and top?

 

[Mccool]

My running boards are 14g, sides are 16g, top and tailgate are 18g and floor is 3/4" plywood.

I'd build it lighter if i did it again. Tent is on a rack tied to the frame, not supported by sheet metal.

 

[Brianj5600]

My running boards are 14g, sides are 16g, top and tailgate are 18g and floor is 3/4" plywood.

I'd build it lighter if i did it again. Tent is on a rack tied to the frame, not supported by sheet metal.

What would you use if you did it again? Would you use a wood floor?

 

[Mccool]

What would you use if you did it again? Would you use a wood floor?

I'd probably use something like "starboard" for the floor, its light weight and durable. I'd use 18 or 20 gauge for everything else. Not that I'm unhappy with mine, but saving weight should've been a higher priority.