Frame material question

[Andy G]

All you custom trailer/frame builders, got a question for ya.

I'm going to be building a trailer for light duty (2-track, dirt roads, etc) hauling of camping gear. Looking at 4' wide and 5' long and 3500# leaf spring axle.

I'm looking at using 2"x2", 3/16" (.1875) wall square steel for everything except for the vertical box, which will be 1"x1" square steel.

Does that sound stout enough for basic road hauling and some light off-road use? I'll be running no larger than 32" tires on 16" rims on it (to match the JK).

Thanks!
Andy

 

[fingas]

that should be plenty stout, I used 2X2X1/8" for my frame and 1.5X1.5x.065 for the walls of the box.

 

[PAToyota]

I'd be tempted to up to a 2x3 with the long side vertical - at least for the frame rails. You could drop back to 2x2 for the cross bars.

 

[seanz0rz]

the plan when i build mine will be 2x3 .120 wall for the frame, with sufficient plating where suspension attaches, tongue, etc. and .06x wall for the boxes on top, with 16/14 gauge sheet holding it all together.

 

[nat]

I'd be tempted to up to a 2x3 with the long side vertical - at least for the frame rails. You could drop back to 2x2 for the cross bars.

this

 

[Andy G]

I'd be tempted to up to a 2x3 with the long side vertical - at least for the frame rails. You could drop back to 2x2 for the cross bars.

I may do that...will still be with the .1875 wall material, however. Seems to be about all the steel place here carries!

 

[PAToyota]

For what you are talking about, it will be fine. You'll actually increase the strength by increasing the height faster than by increasing the thickness. Go 2x4 if you have any concerns.

 

[Rocket Ship]

Agree with these guys. 2x3 or 2x4 would be better, but I think 2x2 .1875 would be fine for a small trailer like 4x5. As long as the rest of the design is right.