Welding trailer.

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I am currently in the process of building a welding trailer. The trailer is already built I am just modifying it. Keep in mind that I am 16 and do not have a lot of money to spend on it right now. Any advice or past experiences would be appreciated. I am going to reinforce the welder mount. Attached ImagesMiller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Looks Good so far. I would maybe put a gull wing tool box in the front for acc.grinders, cords,rods ect..and then maybe make some type of box thats slides under your welder to hold spare metal. Happy welding!! Dale  PS. Keep everything locked up!!
Reply:neat looking Miller - I'd add some supports under that machine (either directly underneath or diagonal bracing from the centre (or towards) to each side if you want to keep the area beneath it clear). If you dont support/brace it, then the machine will be teeter tottering as the angle flexes when you drive down the road and it will eventually tear itself apart.Thermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:Thanks for the info. I already put a key ignition on the welder so someone cant just walk up and start it. I have had enough stuff grow legs and walk away to know I am going to haft to lock them up real good.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Move the angle iron the welder is sitting on towards the front more, over the upright angle iron from the frame. After the welder is mounted for the last time, put a small weld on the bolts under the nuts so they would have to be ground off to let the welder walk off. Make sure to get a spare tire if you don't have one and make a mount for it. You wouldn't want to leave it on the side of the road while you go get a flat fixed and come back to the PLACE where you LEFT IT.
Reply:Thanks Bistineau for the information. I did have it sitting further forward but I felt like there was to much tongue weight. Its hard to tell in the pic, but its centered over the axle. Also as soon as I get a axle I will buy a spare for it.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Maybe build some sort of sheet metal shield that locks with a padlock to completely cover up the front controls when not in use?Looks good, and you're 16 and have your own welder, props to you!Miller Performance AD Helmet - Camo Edition Soon to have: Jackson HSL 100 - Forest Digi CamoMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC((Currently at welding school))
Reply:i second or third of forth the idea to increase mounting support. Nice layout and real good position for the welder as far as weight distribution goes . . . if that's all your carrying. I don't know what type of welding you will be doing so these suggestions may not make sense. You may find it a lot easier to have the controls closer to the edge of the trailer. They are kind of right in the middle of the trailer. No big deal if it's empty, but if it's full of metal,  tools, stuff it could be a pain.I don't know if you'll be hauling gates, fences,plate, or what but having those cross bars span side to side kind of limits what you can carry, it may or may not matter.I like the way you set it up to carry material below the welder, nice idea, probably a good idea to make sure the front panels are solid enough to stop some loose metal flying forward in a panic stop traffic situation.For pure drivability, visibility it's a great mount location, if you want to do other things with your trailer, different mount configurations may make more sense. Just depends on how you want to use it.nice job!
Reply:Keeping the welder up off the deck of the trailer will allow you to carry flat plate in full sheets if needed, I'm guessing that was your idea for elevating the welder. But the angle iron you have it set on is only supported by the flat top piece as the verticle piece has been cut away. I would have cut just enough notch to slip over the side rail so there is material under the side rail to weld in. This would provide more strength to those points, think about that weight bouncing up and down on just those flat pieces on the ends while going down the road. A trailer tongue jack would be a good addition to keep the trailer level when not hitched to the truck, preferably with a wheel so it can be rolled around easily. If you coat those deck boards top and bottom with a mix(50/50) of used motor oil and diesel they will last way longer out in the weather. Apply 3 or 4 coats at least, letting it soak in between coats out in the full sun. This will work much better than paint or any of the commercial wood preservative treatment. Even if it's pressure treated, do it anyway, even pressure treated wood will rot eventually but not with the oil treatment I mentioned. Don't forget about a good set of safety chains for the hitch.
Reply:Mark brings up some good points. If you find your extra gear makes it difficult to access the control panel, you could turn the machine 90 degrees. My suggestions of braces may not work if your plans are to carry wide cargo beneath. In that case, I'd forgo the angle iron mounts and fab up a beefier cradle with 3" channel iron or 3" x 2" tubing supports and dedicated legs to stand off of the deck. If you decide to turn your machine sidieways, you wont need the materials to be quite as heavy due to the machines mounting points being much closer to the sides of the trailer. If you turn sideway's, its even more important to have that frame tied down/welded good and tight. (machine sitting high x narrow footprint x sudden stop = higher chances of tipover) Tie both frames together as a 4 legged stand. Centering the weight directly over the axle should be correct if your trailer is built in the 40/60 axle to bed placement (40%aft, 60% forward). Just be sure to load extra weight evenly before and after your welder for proper balance. (eg. cables forward, cylinders aft...etc)Last edited by Canoe2fish; 03-10-2012 at 08:12 AM.Thermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:as the notched angle bows theres a strong tendency for the tube steel trailer rail to pull inward and fail. how well is it welded to the frame ..?as you say you are gonna reinforce  the mount..good luck..
Reply:x2, Im 18 now and when I was 16, all I had was a tombstone and a 110v lincoln mig. You're light years ahead of me Anyway, I might recommend ditching the angle iron crossmembers entirely, and using some light gauge I beam or something, or heavier angle with possibly stiffeners added to it for more support. Channel might work as well, that way you could mount a tool box on each side of the welder or something like that. Best of luck [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:to bistineau;  if you were to use the trailer as a workbench/fab table, do you think the diesel/motor oil mixture used to treat the boards would be a fire hazard?  or would the sparks just hit the would and fizzle out?  curios because i was considering retreating the deck on my trailer like this and didn't want to end up with probablems
Reply:Originally Posted by HOBARTto bistineau;  if you were to use the trailer as a workbench/fab table, do you think the diesel/motor oil mixture used to treat the boards would be a fire hazard?  or would the sparks just hit the would and fizzle out?  curios because i was considering retreating the deck on my trailer like this and didn't want to end up with probablems
Reply:thanks, bistineau.  i've seen alot of people do this on barns and personally i think it looks good.   was just curious about the welding sparks.  when its time to redo the deck of the trailer, this is the route i'm going to go.  thanks again.
Reply:For the flexing issue I took the liberty of sketching on your posted picture, if you have some more light angle like you have used so far you could create a truss both front and back like I have indicated, you coud then mount a box or other item on top of the machine for increased storage and the cross pieces would tend to hold more weight like a box or some sealed plastic tubes for storing metals in out of the weater, you know PVC pipe with a screw in end like contractors mount on top of vans. possibilities are endless and up to you.     See  you get a lot more answers posting your own thread.  picture attached. of course if you truss, you will get better capacity using a larger material, 2" 1/8 wall square tubing would be my choice between carrying capacity and weight reduction. The truss will even keep your sides from bowing in as mentioned above. good luck ,keep posting.  pardon my line work not so good with "Paint"  or go all the way for and upper deckLast edited by kolot; 03-11-2012 at 11:13 AM."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Gettin' heavier!! Which end do your shackle links swing from?City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Thanks for all the information. I like the truss idea because it would not only give me a extra rack on top, but also a little weather protection for my welder. I am going to use that truss design plus I am going to replace the angle with some channel. Now I just need to save up a little money and get to work. Again thanks for the info if yall have any more ideas let me know. I will post pictures when I get to work on it.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:I have recently finished a trailer just like this that I built from scratch. The axle is out of a 1952 f 1 ford from the junk yard. I have it equiped with a miller 225 bobcat, underneath metal storage, table, vise, crane, oxy/act bottles, toolbox, and an air compressor. It doesn't look very professional, but I am 17 and it makes me money! I started out with less than what you re working with. Enforce your cradle and keep it up!
Reply:Originally Posted by Miller AEAD200LEI am currently in the process of building a welding trailer. The trailer is already built I am just modifying it. Keep in mind that I am 16 and do not have a lot of money to spend on it right now. Any advice or past experiences would be appreciated. I am going to reinforce the welder mount.
Reply:Originally Posted by smokin_dodgeYou need to look at the mounting of your axle and spring hangers - from the picture it looks as if you mounted them backwards - and out of alignment. Do you have the perches welded to the side of the frame? they should be welded to the subframe
Reply:Originally Posted by Miller AEAD200LEI have the springs welded at the same spot the old springs were mounted. They came off of a Ford Bronco there might be a different way to mount them on a trailer, but they're mounted  the exact way they came off the truck.
Reply:Is there any reason the welder is not just mounted to the bead of the trailer?
Reply:It's already sagging, try again. Maybe with bigger and thicker support angles.Lincoln Weld Pak100Lincoln Weld Pak 140 HDLincoln Weld Pak 175Lincoln Precision Tig 185Miller Millermatic 210 mig.
Reply:Originally Posted by ar15is223Is there any reason the welder is not just mounted to the bead of the trailer?Originally Posted by Miller AEAD200LEThanks for all the information. I like the truss idea because it would not only give me a extra rack on top, but also a little weather protection for my welder. I am going to use that truss design plus I am going to replace the angle with some channel. Now I just need to save up a little money and get to work. Again thanks for the info if yall have any more ideas let me know. I will post pictures when I get to work on it.
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotNot to heavy on the channel now, or you won't need a truss, try to keep it light yet strong. since you already have it mounted, jack the slack and sag out of it, might even want a little camber and just truss what you already have.
Reply:Originally Posted by 805greggIt's already sagging, try again. Maybe with bigger and thicker support angles.
Reply:Originally Posted by Miller AEAD200LEI have the springs welded at the same spot the old springs were mounted. They came off of a Ford Bronco there might be a different way to mount them on a trailer, but they're mounted  the exact way they came off the truck.
Reply:Before I go to all the trouble of cutting and remounting the springs could someone please tell me if it is absolutely necessary and what could be the problems with it if I left it the way it is.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Originally Posted by Miller AEAD200LEBefore I go to all the trouble of cutting and remounting the springs could someone please tell me if it is absolutely necessary and what could be the problems with it if I left it the way it is.
Reply:When a leaf spring compresses it gets longer (the arc straightens out). When the solid mount is in the front and the spring compresses the axle moves rearward away from the direction of travel. The way you have this one the axle will have to move into the direction of travel during compression. Much more difficult during normal ups and downs, almost impossible if it is a pothole that you hit. Plus it looks like you may have your shackles pointed the wrong way too. Didn't give it a lot of effort looking but seems like they are. If nothing else take a looky at a few of the thousands that are already out there. You won't see a single axle trailer with the shackles towards the the front. A car or a truck with leaves either."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyWhen a leaf spring compresses it gets longer (the arc straightens out). When the solid mount is in the front and the spring compresses the axle moves rearward away from the direction of travel. The way you have this one the axle will have to move into the direction of travel during compression. Much more difficult during normal ups and downs, almost impossible if it is a pothole that you hit. Plus it looks like you may have your shackles pointed the wrong way too. Didn't give it a lot of effort looking but seems like they are. If nothing else take a looky at a few of the thousands that are already out there. You won't see a single axle trailer with the shackles towards the the front. A car or a truck with leaves either.
Reply:So I spent the day cutting and remounting the springs. Thanks for the information this is why I started this thread.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:what did you do about reinforcing your welder mounts? looking forward to seeing the finished projectThermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:Quick question. My anchor points are a little shorter than the pivot points which causes the axle to sit forward a little. Is this a problem or will it be alright.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Nice work for 16.  Impressive that someone so inexperienced wants a professional setup.  I will say that I'm thinking a lot can change in your life when you are 16.  Would anyone advise a little bit different approach to this young person?   The dedicated welder on welded cross bars may limit you greatly. I'm thinking that he would keep trailer generic with roll on capability.. Today you are using it to weld, tomorrow you may be hauling 4 wheelers or snow mobiles somewhere. I would have thought about a really nice / heavy duty cage / sled on wheels for the welder.  Add a pull handle to pull it into garage for secure storage, or onto a job site with limited access if required. (Industrial little red wagon?)  Something that gives you flexibility, with a dedicated way to lock it down to the trailer.  Make welder wheels large enough to roll directly ontop of sheet steel if you need to haul that flat.  I guess that wouldn't work if you are hauling really thin sheet metal, but how often does that happen?  What if you wanted to haul a couple of pieces of pipe or culvert and it won't fit under the welder?  Ditto for tool box.  Develop corner chain anchor system that can be easily locked.  Home made tool box, home made welder skid, portable metal working bench for vise / grinder / prep work?  On the bench add a side panel that advertises your work.  As you upgrade easier to sell / integrate other parts to the business.  Remember the work that you do on your own equipment acts as a sales promotion to what you are capabile of doing.  It doesn't have to take a lot of money to integrate your ideas either.  You can do a lot with a simple can of paint and a paint brush.   When I think of a business start up, I think of Mxtra's shop..http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...Cabinets-(Pics) When you see this guys tools and work stands and cabinents I think, wow, this guy will do high quality work, and he's deserves to ask a premium for it.   If Mxtra was going to build a trailer with rollon welder cart, bench and box what do you think it would look like?  If you were going to advise a 16 year old person, what would you recommend?I know for some folks they don't want to plan, just do it. get it done, now. I get that.  At the same time, if you want to be really special, that will take a little bit of planning.  And I will say, a young person at 16, attempting to put this together now, is rather special.  Miller AEAD 200 LE, good luck with what ever you do...Just a thought?Last edited by zipzit; 03-21-2012 at 01:44 PM.
Reply:DeletedLast edited by Miller AEAD200LE; 03-21-2012 at 02:20 PM.
Reply:Zipzit thanks for the information . I thought about the roll on roll off design a lot when I decided to start this project, but I was given this trailer. When I first got it one of the leaf springs were broken and the axle bearings were burnt up. Had this been my personal trailer I would have used that design. And also I am inexperienced but not as much as people think. I have been welding for almost 3 years now and have been top of my class since my first year. (my instructor is really good)  I am not trying to be disrespectful but I am a teenager and as my parents will say very hard headed so my mind is set.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:quick word of advise, I don't know your situation but I can guess you don't have and unlimited budget, you can get fancy and meticulous on the next ones, keep it simple, keep it affordable, keep it profitable and keep it locked. Trailers will grow their own legs. some guys lock the couplers, I have heard of thieves pulling them away with the safety chains.  I have made boots for my wheel on mine so it won't roll and you can't remove the tire.  Some guys cable the rims/wheels. I like a 1 inch round stock locked through a spoked rim. Idea is to avoid the quick grab. If they are set on stealing it , they will. Keep your tools basic to get started. Grinder, cord hand tools and a helmet.Make a few bucks and re tool as needed.  Keep after it you are on the right track.Oh yeah! once a hard head always a hard head, and it will get harder as you get older. Not always a bad thing, beware the person who says " you can't do that" that's when you know you are on the right track. Now how do you think I would know this, because my wife says I am the hardest headed polock she has ever seen! LOL"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Thanks for the information kolot. I will post a pic of my progress tomorrow. I have the axle mounted and took it for short spin around the neighborhood today just to give it a quick test. I'm not worried to much about having unnecessary accessories, but I do want it to look a little professional because it is going to be seen by other people and most important I have to look at it every day and I can't stand doing something badly.Last edited by Miller AEAD200LE; 03-21-2012 at 11:50 PM.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Here are some pics of the trailer stripped down ready for some primer. Before anyone says anything about the height of the trailer it is supposed to be tall. I had 3 reasons for this. 1) It is being pulled by a f150 with a 4" lift 2) where I live a lot of the work is off road so I wanted something with some good ground clearance and 3) its the perfect working height. Attached ImagesMiller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:I see your coming along with it, first primer then paint after the welded additions. If you go back with wood decking be sure to use the oil/diesel treatment I mentioned earlier in the post. No need to use treated wood for this, just standard lumber. Cut to fit, and treat it before installing paying extra attention to the end grain. Do all sides, top and bottom. Put 4 coats on, or more if it will take it and the wood will outlast any pressure treated stuff by many years. Just don't expect paint to stick to it after this treatment.Are you going to put a tongue jack on it?
Reply:Thanks Bistineau. I have decided to go with wood decking at least until I save up 300$ for a metal sheet that will fit it. The wood cost a little less than 50$ and I think it will last long enough. I have decided to mount the welder to the deck of the trailer and i will mount oxyfuel tanks right in front of the railing on the tongue. I will decide where to mount the tool boxes once I get everything set up. If I can find a cheap set of jacks I will put them on each corner for stability. Oh yeh I almost forgot I will be putting a tongue jack on it just not a necessity at this moment. And I found out the hard way that a first aid kit might be a good idea to have on there somewhere.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:First aid kit should be there and fire extinguisher or garden hose connected.  As far as jack stands , the cheap Harbor Freight would be perfect for what you want. Where are you located ??  I bought a pair of 3 ton for  $12.99. That was for two. Can't be beat for the money. Where are you located ??  Do you have a HF by you ?? 20% off coupons help too.       Trailer looking good!  You could make some 2x4 frame work for support too or a couple cheap bottle jacks..
Reply:Thanks BD1. I will take a look at those jacks. I do have a HF store about and hour drive from where I live. I am located right in the middle of good ole Heart of Dixie.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:hi, here's some info from another site on HF coupons that you may enjoy. This is a awesome site that you will definitely enjoy. Not sure on current prices of jack stands. I always monitor their prices; they constantly change and have been increasing.http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...=85668&page=82http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/     THIS IS A@W ROOT BEER
Reply:With a good tongue jack you will only need 2 jack stands, one for each rear corner, instead of 4, one for each corner. Then you can lower the rear ones to where you need them and use the tongue jack to level it up for working height. BD1 makes a good point on installing some sort of theft deterrant device over just a coupler lock. A good looking welding trailer will be a more tempting target for a thief, so do what you can to make it as hard to run off with as possible. If a thief has to spend too much time and effort to get something he may look for an easier steal. Make sure to make your torch and other tools inacessable to the thief, so he can't use your own tools to overcome your theft detterant system. You don't want him to use your torch, saws, or grinders to remove what's in his way to getting your stuff you so worked hard to get.
Reply:Thanks BD1and Bistineau. That thread will come in real handy. Bistineau I used bolts to hold the coupler on so if I have to leave the trailer somewhere I can take it off in about 3 min. I will also figure out some type of wheel lock just in case. Any ideas on how to lock up the tanks would be appreciated.Miller AEAD 200 LE
Reply:Originally Posted by Miller AEAD200LEThanks BD1and Bistineau. That thread will come in real handy. Bistineau I used bolts to hold the coupler on so if I have to leave the trailer somewhere I can take it off in about 3 min. I will also figure out some type of wheel lock just in case. Any ideas on how to lock up the tanks would be appreciated.