Need coupler base plate

[TantoTrailers]

Hey guys, I was doing some maintenance on my rig that I built on a utility trailer and I came across a pretty significant issue at the coupler base plate. One side has completely detached at the welds and I’m extremely lucky to have found it before hitting the road again. I’m having a hell of a time finding a replacement for this. Does anyone know where I can find this coupler base plate?

 

[Ramdough]

Maybe take it to a good weld shop and have them to a better weld job. They could notch the joint and do a full penetration weld and wrap the ends a little. Also, they can reinforce it a little with some gussets on the ends.

They may also be able to fab a new one out of thicker steel.

That does not look like it was welded very well, especially something for cyclic loading.


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[Bayou Boy]

Do like he said above. I wouldn't fix that one though. I'd build a new one out of tubing and plate. That U welded on the plate is significantly weaker than tubing welded to that same plate.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

Yes make a trip to local fab shop. Not really the proper way to make that item. Should have been a flat plate with tubing not a form 3 sided piece welded on. Tubing would allow a bottom edge weld at each end to the flat plate. This would provide more strength in the vertical axis.

 

[javajoe79]

It looks to me like the weld wasn't too good in the first place. Just having it fully welded by a good welder is all that is needed imo.

 

[Ramdough]

Yes make a trip to local fab shop. Not really the proper way to make that item. Should have been a flat plate with tubing not a form 3 sided piece welded on. Tubing would allow a bottom edge weld at each end to the flat plate. This would provide more strength in the vertical axis.

I agree that the design is poor, and the welding is also not done well for cyclic loading.

The best long term solution would be a new design with a true receiver hitch style tube with reinforced lip fully welded to a plate with the ends wrapped. Might get some warpage if not done by a skilled welder, but will be much stronger.


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[TantoTrailers]

Alright so while I would want a new plate fabricated the cheaper faster alternative was to have this one fixed up for $30 at a local shop. In the end I only have 100-150 lbs of tongue weight resting on this piece so I think this beefy weld job should hold up. What do you guys think? This trailer is my prototype and I am using it for trial/error type of testing and my future trailers will be constructed much differently with a fully welded steel frame.

 

[TantoTrailers]

Kindly, I say thats a mediocre welding job. Appears it was run too cold, But no doubts better than low penetration skip welds of the original.

I appreciate all criticism as I know nothing about welding (yet). I will have a new piece fabricated and while I wait I will test this one out and see how she does with frequent checks. I cant imagine it being any worse than before!

 

[Ramdough]

Are the internal welds going to block something from being inserted into it?

I might have misunderstood what that tube was used for.


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[TantoTrailers]

Are the internal welds going to block something from being inserted into it?

I might have misunderstood what that tube was used for.


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The coupler plate actually bolts on top of the black tube through the holes on the side so nothing goes inside the tube except the chains which anchor at one of the bolts. I will send updated pictures when I get home later.

 

[TantoTrailers]

Here is how it all comes together

 

[jeffjeeptj]

It appears you are using two ”thru bolts” to attach the coupler to the bracket you had welded. If so, One thing that will yield an immediate improvement is to use 4 bolts to attach the coupler to your bracket. The thru bolts add zero torsional strength to the assembly. 4 bolts will cause bending “load” to be better distributed.

 

[Ramdough]

Here is how it all comes together

Ah...... I thought you were sliding a tongue extension into the tube. Makes better sense now.


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[billiebob]

If it is a trailer hitch it should have a rating/certification label on it.

 

[billiebob]

I think this beefy weld job should hold up. What do you guys think?

I think you should check the welder to see if he has any training. This is the crap which scares the heck out of me. "what do you guys think" ?????? I think you are destined to kill someone.