Need help with my trailer upgrade project

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5x8 tractor supply trailer I took the cheap expanded metal off and added 2x6 boards I noticed the cross member up front is bent. Should I put carriage bolts like the ones I used at the ends or do I add a crossmember and weld it on to stiffen? I carry my golfcart and feed usually. Attached Images
Reply:Her is the side Attached Images
Reply:Her is the before Attached Images
Reply:After Attached Images
Reply:Are you really asking a bunch of welders if you should, "bolt it or weld it..."    Its looking good so far!GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:I was thinking about welding a angle iron from the first bolt of the tongue to each tire catching 2 cross members V shape
Reply:cut off the bent crossmember & replace it.  Then make your "Vee" angle & weld inbetween the other crossmembers like you originally thought.  Don't weld it under, cut & fit it to the angle that is already there.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Replace for sure.  But why did it bend?  Always identify why a metal component failed before repair.My take is the lever action of the tongue pulling down on it.  It's a rotation about the pivot point with the front of the trailer being the pivot.  Additionally, that crossmember also has the normal bending stress from above (cargo).As the load bounces down the highway, the front of the trailer tries to go down, the truck hitch resists this motion and the tongue transfers that rotation to that first crossmember.Since the tongue is longer in front of the pivot than behind, it transfers more force to the crossmember than the hitch end experienced.  Think "pry bar"I would replace it with a C channel or heavier angle.  No other bracing is needed.Dave J.Edit: hey engineers, did I get it right? LOL Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 06-08-2013 at 11:09 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:So I can put a brace from top angle down to the tongue? I had a cookoff just a couple of miles down the road and pulled a full trailer I am not sure the weight but the wood was a full cord and all my equipment. Most of my weight was right over that crossmember. Should I also bolt the wood down to the first crossmember to help?
Reply:I see, you mean to fix it from the top - putting a brace up to the railing.  I have seen trailers done that way.You would be moving the pivot point slightly forward and making the tongue's leverage less of an issue.You would lose your tilt trailer function and likely bow that railing to the rear - it's pretty small.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by bigsal51So I can put a brace from top angle down to the tongue? I had a cookoff just a couple of miles down the road and pulled a full trailer I am not sure the weight but the wood was a full cord and all my equipment. Most of my weight was right over that crossmember. Should I also bolt the wood down to the first crossmember to help?
Reply:Originally Posted by FernTJI don't know why they build those trailers with the axle so far back.  It is almost impossible to load those things without too much tongue weight unless you have something that is very heavy in the back.
Reply:tractor store trailers are CHEAPLY made, i know because i bought one. Ya get what ya pay for, I ended up putting several reinforsements into it. sold it and will never buy another from them.....
Reply:Painted now need to see about the cross member Attached Images
Reply:I hope you mixed some sand into the paint to give it some grip, otherwise that's going to be slicker than snot on a porcelain door handle.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:Well, this is the "Welding Projects & Pictures" forum!  If, like me, you could use some more "seat time" (with all the cutting and grinding, sanding and washing, priming and painting, I never seem to get enough  ) You should do some welding! I would jack that angle straight, tack another angle to the bottom of it "mirror image" to make it into a channel, then stitch weld it 1.5" every 6" both sides.  Good practice and a good way to see if "ersatz" (seat of the pants) "engineering" actually works!
Reply:I'm going to try that mirror fix
Reply:I have the exact same trailer. Carry on brand. I just finished welding 2 foot sides of 2x2 1/8 inch angle iron. I'll have to check my cross member now too, as I've had it pretty loaded up. I've been meaning to swap out the floor for some treated 2x6s also.
Reply:I use my trailer for multi purposes..... mainly it's the pick up truck I don't have I welded these little 1/2 inch diameter hooks along the side frame rails. Boy are they handy. So far, all the hooks I welded on, are still attached. Not bad for a weekend hobby welder that is qualified to weld only scrap metal Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI hope you mixed some sand into the paint to give it some grip, otherwise that's going to be slicker than snot on a porcelain door handle.
Reply:Originally Posted by little JeepI use my trailer for multi purposes..... mainly it's the pick up truck I don't have I welded these little 1/2 inch diameter hooks along the side frame rails. Boy are they handy. So far, all the hooks I welded on, are still attached. Not bad for a weekend hobby welder that is qualified to weld only scrap metal
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveReplace for sure.  But why did it bend?  Always identify why a metal component failed before repair.My take is the lever action of the tongue pulling down on it.  It's a rotation about the pivot point with the front of the trailer being the pivot.  Additionally, that crossmember also has the normal bending stress from above (cargo).As the load bounces down the highway, the front of the trailer tries to go down, the truck hitch resists this motion and the tongue transfers that rotation to that first crossmember.Since the tongue is longer in front of the pivot than behind, it transfers more force to the crossmember than the hitch end experienced.  Think "pry bar"I would replace it with a C channel or heavier angle.  No other bracing is needed.Dave J.Edit: hey engineers, did I get it right? LOL