Frame material?
- Thread starter Coopsdaddy
- Start date
CampStewart
Observer
If that is all boxed tubing unless you drilled a hole in it or weighed it you wouldn't know the material thickness after it is completed. It takes a few seconds to change welder settings. For whatever reason fab guy is telling a fib. I wouldn't build a trailer that small out of 3x2x3/16 unless I was going to use it to haul 3000lbs of sand or gravel.
Teardropper
Well-known member
I'm scratching my head on that one. The setup change from 3/16" to 1/8" involves walking over to the welder and clicking the knob down one setting. There is no change in cutting.
It's going to weigh substantially more and the same with the cost. Steel is expensive enough without buying more than you need.
T
Coopsdaddy
Observer
I know it takes just a second,a trailer manufacturing company is building the main box only and is just running it down the assembly line,im sure he would change if i asked.Thats why im asking.Its going to be a trailer similer to box rockets that has a 3500 lb axle.Used for hauling construction stuff from lowes as much as camping gear but nothing too heavy.
Coopsdaddy
Observer
Did some calculations and 3/16 is going to be 52 lbs heavier than 1/8.
Coopsdaddy
Observer
No,the weight difference is approximately 52 lbs.
That means the trailer with 3/16 is 52 lbs heavier than one built with 1/8.
Make sense?
That means the trailer with 3/16 is 52 lbs heavier than one built with 1/8.
Make sense?
1/8 = 2/16, thus 3/16 should be 50% heavier. Steel doesn’t change density as it scales. So, if your frame is 52 lbs more, than at 1/8 it must have only been 104 lbs. I only ask because that sounds light, although it isn’t very big, and in reality you are probably talking about 0.120 and 0.188 wall tube. In the end, it is highly unlikely to matter, either in weld quality or ability to tow. The extra time to rust through and better threading of blind holes is probably a bigger advantage to going thicker, but 0.188 seems really thick to me.
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
The fabricator is trying to sell you the material he/she already has in the shop and feeding you a line of BS about welding to get you to bite.
old_CWO
Well-known member
The weight difference is basically nothing, about like carrying an extra Jerry can. The trailer will be a little sturdier and the welder runs that size all day so probably makes very consistent welds with that stock. The frame will now be thick enough to drill and tap for machine screw threads if you want.
I just don't see the controversy here.
Would I start with the 3/16 if building a trailer this size at home? Probably not but it isn't comically overkill either. I bet many of you have more excess weight tied up in monster tires and wheels you don't "need" than this upsize on chassis materials. Give it a rest...
I just don't see the controversy here.
Would I start with the 3/16 if building a trailer this size at home? Probably not but it isn't comically overkill either. I bet many of you have more excess weight tied up in monster tires and wheels you don't "need" than this upsize on chassis materials. Give it a rest...
Alloy
Well-known member
Coopsdaddy
Observer
Thanks old CWO!