Here is a Google Sketchup drawing for an m416 cover frame. The frame uses about 70 feet of square tubing. Would .062" (approx 1/16") wall 3/4 " square tubing be sufficient or should I use .12" (approx 1/8") wall 3/4" square tubing. The thin wall tubing is about half a pound a foot and the thicker tubing about one pound per foot. I'd like to use the lighter material if it would be strong enough. The plan is to cover the frame with something like 10 gauge sheet steel or aluminium. Bike and boat carriers would be bolted to the frame through the metal. Should I use 1" square tubing of of .026" or .12" wall instead of 3/4" square tubing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
m416 cover advice
- Thread starter njsjeep
- Start date
elmo_4_vt
Explorer
Personally, I think I would use the 1", 1/16 thick stuff (I'm assuming you mean .062, and not .026). I would guess that 1" stock would be almost as strong as the thicker 3/4" stuff and less weight. But I didn't take the time to look it up in any of my books. Also, I find it hard to weld the 3/4" stuff, because by the time I get the puddle looking good, the weld is over on that side, so the smallest I usually go with is 1" if I have the choice.
Have you thought about putting a couple diagonal braces from the outside up towards the center? It might be able to stiffen it up a lot without adding much weight. Maybe just in one place, on the center rib, going from the bottom sides to about 6" from the center. Hard to explain...
Don
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Have you thought about putting a couple diagonal braces from the outside up towards the center? It might be able to stiffen it up a lot without adding much weight. Maybe just in one place, on the center rib, going from the bottom sides to about 6" from the center. Hard to explain...
Don
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Airborne Lee
Observer
Thinner sheetmetal is ok and could be strong enough if you put the proper supports and/or bends in it. But keep in mind thinner will not support cargo on top. Your frame should support (using 1" tube) and 18 -16 guage sheetmetal any thing you want to put on top.
gpwpat
Adventurer
I am in the process of designing the same set up. another question is. would it be easier to use a thicker gauge sheet and drop the tube all together. I don't think adventure trailers uses an internal frame. What gauge sheet is their lid? also theirs is made of seperate pannels that bolt? together? I kind of like that idea. I do weld but there is strength in that middle seam which could be plug welded or bolted.