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I am considering a trailer for a 4x4 and was wondering how heavy to go with an expanded metal floor. Would 1/8 inch material work? Is that too heavy, too light? No more than 2 foot between frame pieces. The trailer would be 6'x10'. Thanks for the input.
Reply:I would use wood planks- it allows the trailer to be used for other things besides hauling the 4x4.Expanded works also but is PIA as things tend to fall through the Holes and catch when trying to load and unload.Sorry, don't have an answer on the strength of the Expanded.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I think you can get smaller, but I've used 3/4 expanded on a stock trailer floor, and it's held up well. Lot of weight on stock trailers, and most of it concentrated in small areas. The little hooves ya know(I overlayed the expanded with wood, but the real load carrier is the expanded, the wood's just for traction and cushioning)A lot depends on the spacing of the underfloor supports too.If you look at the weight of the machine+rider, and divide by the no. of tires actually carrying the load, it's surprisingly small amounts of load at any given point.What Ed said X2. Unless it's a dedicated trailer. More traction with pure expanded, but if you ever have to tie or load something else, it's the pits. Have to put wood sleepers under any other loads."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I've used 3/4" x 9ga raised expanded before with good results. Weld it in the right order so it pulls taught and puts supports under it the same width as your 4x4's wheels. I think the biggest unsupported area I had was 12"x16". I should also mention that I welded it EVERYWHERE it made contact with the frame. I have since sold the trailer and I hope the expanded never has to be replaced cuz it will be a real PITA.
Reply:I'd frame it so that all the tires were sitting on frame rails once loaded. Since I'd have to tow over rocky roads around here to get to the trailhead; I'd think that the expanded would sag after a while.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I've done this before, use structural catwalk grating. At least a 3.14, or even up to a 4.27. Orient it correctly, you can reduce the number of crossmembers. Big advantage with expanded, the dirt and mud falls thru.6x10 trailer, with grating, the only midships crossmembers you should need, are right at each spring hanger.
Reply:Flat or raised? Raised will be generally stiffer.
Reply:Boostinjdm - "Weld it in the right order so it pulls taught..."mark8310 - "Orient it correctly..."I'd appreciate a tutorial on how to. |
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