Deck Divots, and Spring Compression

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I like to do the reviews for untested designs that I do.  Your own private Consumers Report  I make it......you get to see if it's holding up.Unloaded the truck this weekend.Rearward pull until it hits the rampsAnd down she goes"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Anyhow, the point of the thread is the way the deck took the concentrated point loads, and how far the springs compressed under just shy of full capacity.The front wheels were centered between floor supports.  I weld my stake pockets where the floor supports are, stronger this wayWhere the front wheels sat on the deck for 280 miles of pounding, and further force added by the binder chains.  Right side  Left sideNo divots, or wavy metalI remember having a lengthy discussion about how to weld down a trailer deck.  Some folks prefer using as few welds as possible.  My approach is to use small welds every 4-6".  This makes the deck like a drum head, it resists sucking into the center of the unsupported gap when heavy loads are in the middle of the deck span.  It works guys  I'm not just blowing smokeNow for spring compression under full load.  This illustrates how little trailer springs actually compress (this is for the guys that think you need excessive fender clearance for spring travel).The outriggers were attached before unloading, springs under full compression.  After the truck was off the deck, this was the gap.  About 1.25".  Not a heck of a lot."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:ya being careful of warpage and distortion. i might sound crazy but do you want a flexible characteristic in the weld. I heard this somewhere that FCAW is used on ships for flex and such. Maybe that is what you want? so that it doesn't choose a side or shape.You can call me crazy if you want!VictorPraxairAir LiquideMillerLincoln Electric
Reply:Samm,Static load sure 1.25" but what about shock load? bumps, dips, etc. where one Axle, or one tire even hits a bumper at a time and the springs respond to the shock load? How much more room do you allow for those situations? I don't like a ton of clearance, but I have had to relocate my fenders because the load compressed the springs more than anticipated and was cooking the paint off the fender due to tire rub. But when you stopped and looked there was still room between the fender and the tire while static.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerSamm,Static load sure 1.25" but what about shock load? bumps, dips, etc. where one Axle, or one tire even hits a bumper at a time and the springs respond to the shock load? How much more room do you allow for those situations? I don't like a ton of clearance, but I have had to relocate my fenders because the load compressed the springs more than anticipated and was cooking the paint off the fender due to tire rub. But when you stopped and looked there was still room between the fender and the tire while static.