trailer design

admin

Ive been in the design stage of a gooseneck utility trailer for a couple of years now. I have two things that my mind is made up about. I'm fabricating the neck from plate to allow for a one piece curved neck design. I also want a drop deck design allowing the transport of tall things. Any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated, especially any " i wouldnt make that mistake again" situations. thanks in advance MrLeadMan
Reply:Curved plate is fine as long as you make that curved plate into a piece of tubing (do your curved thing, but with 2 pieces of plate with a filler that makes it into a box).  Or, at least a piece of channel.  You can't make a tongue out of plate alone.  It has to have some resistance to torque.Don't get too artsy fatsy with a gooseneck.  Or, at least let me know what state you're in, so's I kin avoid it."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:You'd be better off using I beam for the tongue. Use dropped axles to get the bed lower.
Reply:I've seen I beam or boxed in channel for a tongue.Make the ball height adjustable, may save a lot of grief if you sell the truck and get another with a signifigant difference in bed height.Be sure to allow rotation clearance so you can jacknife the trailer without hitting your fenders or bumper.Any trailer I've seen, the weak points seem to be the neck so be sure to use gussetts where you can and watch the weld start and stops for udercut and insufficient penetrarion...Mike