Custom Trailer Build
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:55 am
Looking into building a custom boat trailer, Or in other words "building it the way I want from scratch". Going to use Aluminum. My question is what should I use use to build it with??? Angle, Tube, I-beam, Channel??? My friend has his own welding/ fabrication shop, so problem #1 is solved. But what is the best way to build it?? Tube frame rails with channel cross members?? Channel frame & channel cross members?? Will aluminum angle hold up as the main frame rails??? I have seen some trailer mfg's on this forum & they all build them differently. Would it come down to preference?? I was thinking using angle for the main frame rails, 6X6X1/2 inch. Bolt the Torflex axles right to the bottom. Also gives me a flat vertical surface to mount fenders & other stuff. I have built a few custom utility trailers out of steel using angle, channel & tubing all on the same trailer. But when aluminum takes place of steel in the case of a trailer, The aluminum has to be thicker to hold the same weight, Correct me if I am wrong. Is there something that I am missing??? Thoughts?? Suggestions?? Sent Pelagic Boats a PM & They responded with what they use for material. But am also curious on what is used over here.
Trailer only needs to hold 6,000#/ 2730kg load Max.
I look at like this. I can buy an aluminum "I-Beam" trailer in my area for $2800. Venture makes the trailer. No Led Lights, bias ply tires & the cross members are galvanized. Sooner or later galvanized trailers will rust. SO what good does an aluminum frame do if the cross members rott after a while?? I have a Shorelander under my Lund, Galavized & it has some small surface rust spots, Trailer is 8 years old. I planed on upgrading the new trailer to electric-over- hydraulic brakes, LED lights, radial tires, ect. I would be buying a trailer & taking it apart to modify it the way I want it to be & have all these extra parts laying around. So why not build it my way from the start & get EXACTLY what I want. I have done a basic math to see which was cheaper & ends up being pretty close to the same $$.
Trailer only needs to hold 6,000#/ 2730kg load Max.
I look at like this. I can buy an aluminum "I-Beam" trailer in my area for $2800. Venture makes the trailer. No Led Lights, bias ply tires & the cross members are galvanized. Sooner or later galvanized trailers will rust. SO what good does an aluminum frame do if the cross members rott after a while?? I have a Shorelander under my Lund, Galavized & it has some small surface rust spots, Trailer is 8 years old. I planed on upgrading the new trailer to electric-over- hydraulic brakes, LED lights, radial tires, ect. I would be buying a trailer & taking it apart to modify it the way I want it to be & have all these extra parts laying around. So why not build it my way from the start & get EXACTLY what I want. I have done a basic math to see which was cheaper & ends up being pretty close to the same $$.