Log Trailer Mods

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I picked up this log trailer for my tree care company, back in December.  When we get some better weather I want to start modifying it to better suit my needs.Currently it has round stake pocket receivers mounted on a c-channel outer rail with the channel facing out.  This is weak as you can tell all the time they re welded the receivers.So instead of that, I'd like to go to a rectangle outer channel, square stake pockets (adding three more per side), and a rub rail.  Square pockets will give me more options to add different sides, etc.I'm looking for suggestions on material thicknesses.  The rectangle outer rail that the stake pockets will be welded to is going to be 4"x2",---should I go .120 wall, or 3/16" wall?Then we have the stake pockets, I'll just buy those at the trailer store.Lastly the rub rail.  I figure this will take a beating.  Typically the stake pockets I've seen are 3" tall.  I'm thinking on a 2.5"x 3/8" thick rub rail welded to the pockets.Suggestions?  Am I thinking correctly?Eventually I'm looking into a floor.  Probably diamond plate steel tread.  No welds, just taped on with this amazing 3M tape I found that holds trailer skins to the framework. Attached Images
Reply:You going to completely replace the outer rails or just box in the existing ones?  The latter obviously seems a little easier...Rub rail thickness would depend on spacing between stake pockets, if you're going to add any supports in between the stake pockets, and how hard you're planning to hit it into/with things.Nice grapple, BTW!
Reply:I thought I'd completely remove the c-channel, I'll have to look if I can box it like you've mentioned.Not sure if that'd bother me though, crazy in the head ya know.I figure the rub rail will get hit with logs, not way around it.  Spacing between pockets, about two feet.
Reply:you aren't really going to tape the deck onto the trailer are you???Weld well; grind less.
Reply:Last edited by brendonv; 02-08-2011 at 02:29 PM.
Reply:Here's a side view.  It'll get blast and paint too. Attached Images
Reply:What size C-channel is it?http://www.engineersedge.com/standar...properties.htmFor boxing the outside, just use similar thickness to whatever the web thickness is on the existing C-channel.For standoffs between the stake pockets, there's plenty of options to cut short pieces of:-flat stock, same size as rub rail-c-channel, same size as original rail-pipe or tubing just slightly smaller in diameter than rub rail height-two pieces of pipe/tubing stacked to make a figure-8For decking, you might want to check out this stuff:http://www.mcnichols.com/product/160...e=avc:AV-24055http://www.mcnichols.com/product/160...e=avc:AV-24055http://www.mcnichols.com/product/160...e=avc:AV-24055Has holes for debris and water drainage, but can still be walked on.  There's some of it designed into the floor and ceiling of the nation's largest anechoic stability wind tunnel test section thanks to yours truly.
Reply:C channel is 4x1.5 x .184 i believeThanks for those links, sure has some nice products there.
Reply:In that case, you'll need two pieces of 4 x 3/16 flat stock to box in the rails, two pieces of 4 x 1/4 flat stock for the rub rails (could go thicker - would add a little more weight/cost), and then some more 4 x 1/4 flat to make standoffs with (this would be the simplest to weld in - my next choice would be the big pipe/tubing since it would interface over a larger area with the boxing flat and rub rail).How wide is the trailer currently?  Make sure you're still under the legal limit with any width you'll be adding.
Reply:What a great little trailer! As a flat bed hauler I think a trailer is useless with out that rub rail. Im going to build one to put on my utility trailer for hauling my garden tractors to shows. I think that once people work with a rub rail and find out they can tie off ever 8 inches, they will never go back. But then again, how many utility trailers do you see with stuff tied off properly going down the road!
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions above.I'll post some progress as I make some.  Just bought a house a month ago so gotta watch my spending.  It'll be a nice little project.
Reply:I just ordered a Rage 3 this morning.That should help future projects.