Need Advice on this project

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I am not a welder, but I am looking for someone who can fabricate a travel trailer frame for me, and I am having problems. I guess the biggest problem is being able to identify someone who I can get a comfort level with that they can actually do this job well. Them saying "I can do that for you" just doesn't get it and I don't know what else to ask, really, except.. do you have a shop?Anyway, it seems like a pretty straightforward deal. A 28' rectangle with crossmembers and lookouts.. all made of C5x6.7 C channel. Can the average welder handle this?This is a crude drawing that I made.. and a pic of the old trailer..Thanks for any advise.. Attached Images Attached ImagesTrailerChassis-Boquist.pdf (23.9 KB, 92 views)
Reply:May be just an optical illusion but the frame rail in the right side of the pic looks bent just ahead of the axle.  Are you planning to use this old frame or??                                             MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:It is messed up. that is why I am having a new one fabricated..You cant see the rust. I think some of the trailer is being held together by silver spray paint.
Reply:where you from?Of course I don't look busy.....I did it right the first time!
Reply:Charleston, SC
Reply:Your 7 hours from me or I would help you. I guess the real question first...Why and what are you building it for?PS: Welcome to the forumYou have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:your twenty hours from meOf course I don't look busy.....I did it right the first time!
Reply:It is the chassis off of a 1974 31' Airstream travel trailer. I have the shell up on saw horses..
Reply:It is the chassis off of a 1974 31' Airstream travel trailer. The shell is up on sawhorses..  This is before I lifted the shell.. Attached Images
Reply:Ok, I see. You should be able to pull that trailer to any reputable shop and tell them to make a copy EXACTLY like that one, it might cost you a small fortune. Pretty basic job shop type work. I would do it if you were closer my friend. Good luck.You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:That sounds great.. except for the small fortune part.Allied Steel here will sell me 40' C5x6.7 for $150 ea. So the C channel will cost me about $500. The quotes that I'm getting for fabrication/welding (not including materials) are $1200-1600. Does that sound about right?Thanks..Or should I just go get a chop saw and a grinder and rent a mig welder and have a go at it myself?Last edited by DanielBo; 12-06-2010 at 08:12 PM.
Reply:Cant really tell without seeing it all in person. Sounds fair so far. Just make sure your dealing with a licensed and insured company. That will set it/you apart from every guy with a buzzbox and cutting torch.  Are you getting the "main frame" built or all the little stuff also. As far as you welding it, its up to your skill level and only you know that. I know when stuff is in my skill level, I dont ask. If I can be of anymore help PM me, or post up some more pictures. Good luck.You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:I know that this is more than I can deal with by myself.The licensed and insured advise is good.. Thanks..
Reply:Originally Posted by DanielBoI am not a welder, but I am looking for someone who can fabricate a travel trailer frame for me, and I am having problems. I guess the biggest problem is being able to identify someone who I can get a comfort level with that they can actually do this job well. Them saying "I can do that for you" just doesn't get it and I don't know what else to ask, really, except.. do you have a shop?Anyway, it seems like a pretty straightforward deal. A 28' rectangle with crossmembers and lookouts.. all made of C5x6.7 C channel. Can the average welder handle this?..
Reply:Thank you much DSW.  A lot of good information. I think that this gets me on the right track.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWSome states I believe are a bit more picky and have DOT requirements as to who can cert to weld on vehicles.
Reply:ask for references
Reply:I have this one welder who wants to do it with stick welding instead of MIG. He says that it will be better than MIG, that it will burn into the thick steel of the C channel better. Could this be true?
Reply:Originally Posted by DanielBoI have this one welder who wants to do it with stick welding instead of MIG. He says that it will be better than MIG, that it will burn into the thick steel of the C channel better. Could this be true?
Reply:By the way SWEET AIRSTREAM my uncle just sold one like that. I took it on a road trip to CO last spring before he sold it and I got looks left and right.
Reply:Awesome answer. That helps me out a great deal. Thank you very much.Those old Airstreams they made the frames as light as possible so that a car back in the 70s could pull a 31' trailer.  Their rustproofing and what-not wasn't that good so that once the rust got started it ate through the trailer frame pretty quickly. A lot of the older airstreams have chassis issues. Thanks!
Reply:glad it helped. let me know if you have any other questions. and My uncle bought his restored when his buddy was in money trouble. so he never really wanted to hold onto it long but he let me take it on a trip so i could let him know how it was haha. wish I had the money to buy it off of him at the time.