It's a start

old_CWO

Well-known member
Anyone know how to compromise for someone seeking to minimize weight?

Smaller tires.

Steel commonly used for trailer chassis building doesn't have that much difference between suitable sizes. For example, 2x2 - .120 is something like 3 lbs per foot and 2x3 - .120 is close to 4. Assuming you use approximately 2 sticks to make a Jeep trailer, the weight difference is around 40 lbs. between the two. Even going a little thinner to 2x3 - .083 doesn't help that much. It weighs about 2.75 lbs per foot or 50 lbs less than a chassis built with .120 rectangle and only 10 less than the 2x2 - .120 square. Not huge.

OTOH, two 13" trailer radials on aluminum wheels weigh less than some single unmounted LRE all terrain tires. An oversized, cool lookin' wheel tire combo can weigh 80 lbs. or more. You're easily peeling off 100 to 150 lbs running 13s instead of matching meats. If you have the smaller diameter tires, a 2K axle is more than fine. There's a few more pounds off with the smaller tube and lighter duty attaching hardware. You probably won't need brakes- there's what, another 40-50 lbs with the brakes, drums and breakaway system? The required fenders are smaller and skinnier, say another 5 pounds. stabilizer and tongue jacks are now shorter and consequently lighter. Even carrying a spare tire now that it can't share with the truck, I can easily see something in the neighborhood of 200 lbs. lighter. Nothing to sneeze at.

It doesn't necessarily look all expo sexy but you would still have ground clearance equal to or better than many stock trucks. Morris Mule "field grade" trailers come with 13s and he's got those looking really good proportionally and 10.75" clearance even running spring under axle.
 

goddi69

Member
looks like it will weigh that much unloaded!

Are those 45° welds stronger than the usual?

Could you spec the steel profiles you used in more detail?

Anyone know how to compromise for someone seeking to minimize weight?
[/QUOTE
This probably doesn't even way 350lbs I can pick up an end quite easily. The center tube is 1/4 inch wall tube outer frame is 1/8 inch wall and the plate is 16 gauge
What 45 degree welds are you referring to....
 

john61ct

Adventurer
Smaller tires.
Interesting.

But makes me realize, I'm not as concerned about "pulling weight", as "bearing weight" if that makes sense, both on the axle-less suspension and tongue weight.

from that POV the wheels are bearing their own weight, and 90% of the rest, so robust for heavy loads off road is a Good Thing
 
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john61ct

Adventurer
Sorry, edited to show replying to @old_CWO

Your corner welds are not square cut but 45° right?

My question is, is that stronger than the usual 90° welds?
 

old_CWO

Well-known member
Your corner welds are not square cut but 45° right?

My question is, is that stronger than the usual 90° welds?

I think he means miter joints vs butt joints.

Miters are more work but do give you a little more weld area so yes they can be stronger. Most people seem to prefer the way it looks as well.
 

john61ct

Adventurer
Beauty!

Can anyone tell me the design advantage of using that sloping angle along the side over the tires?

In doodling for my (much longer) trailer, I'm thinking of putting in removable external side storage units hanging where the tires aren't an issue, and a right-angle overhang would make that easier
 
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goddi69

Member
I haven't really figured out why they flare those old military trailers out like they do. You do gain a little more cargo room and still keep the same track width as the tow vehicle but that is the only reason. I like your idea with the storage on side that's how I did my truck
 

NatersXJ6

Explorer
I believe that the iconic shape of the military quarter ton trailers was due to the requirement that it float.

I think this sounds plausible. I really don’t know the reason.

however, that the fold in sheet metal adds significant rigidity to the side of the trailer.

The OP trailer box is built around a frame, but most aren’t. A piece of straight sheet is really floppy in comparison to the folded profile.
 

goddi69

Member
Do they make oversized fenders or should I make my own biggest I saw at tractor supply were 32" across and don't want to limit the owner with size restrictions.
 

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