A trailer question? Stake pockets,,,,,,,,,

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What would be good spacing on the stake pockets for this trailer, It is right at 16'6" from the front to the front of the fender, and 10' from the back to the rear of the fender. I want sides and a front on it for sure, and also will try to figure out how to put a rear on it. (The way the ramps are, and the lips for the ramps, it will take some ingenuity). I just need a good starting point for the measurements on the stake pockets, Amy ideas from some of you welders out there? (Surely several of you have built trailers, and modified them, Incidentally, this was a little project I did with my welder on it! 3" channel underneath to get 4' centers on my cross braces, and welded in the 1/8" diamond plate with 3-4" beads every foot or so. BEFORE,AFTER
Reply:US DOT has a rule, 3 tie downs per item or every 7 ft if one piece is over 14 ft. The pic of the trailer loaded shows 4 separate loads, each requiring their own set of tie downs. If that is a consistent type of load you carry, I would think 2 sets of pockets per load. If I remember correctly, you would only need 2 sets of straps per load then. Some one might correct me. It has been a few years since I have had to deal with DOT stuff.. BTW that rig definitely falls under DOT regs. Nice looking trailer! Do you haul Hot Shot?Last edited by gclamp; 07-03-2009 at 09:49 PM.Reason: QuestionLincoln Ranger 8                        Lincoln 175                          Drill pressLincoln 225 mig                            Plasma                              8 ft brake        52" jump shear
Reply:I put them on 12" centers and a 3/8" x 2" rub rail, I used the store bought ones from Redneck, haven't bought any lately, but I couldn't make them for what they cost, and a chain hook or ratchet strap would drop right through.With the 3/8 rubrail, you can strap wherever you need to.
Reply:Thanks, I was hauling 'Hot shot" and also hauling autos, (I have a 42' Goose neck WEDGE trailer for sale, that is in EXCELLENT Shape) But I don't have authority anymore, I relinquished it.. (Quit in 07 when fuel got to 4.70 a gallon!) I work full time with the Mo Air National Guard now at Whiteman, AFB, Mo.That load was a "Hot shot" load I hauled. (13,000 lbs of pipe, it put me at 25,700 lbs on 26,000 lb plates! TALK about cutting it close! LOL) But just needed a picture of my trailer in this post, (From the side) for everyones opinion.I don't need 12" centers I don't think. I will put a "rub rail" on for tie down purposes. I need ideas on the dimensions for the sides, What size wood, lengths of sections, ect. If I build the sides, I'll put the pockets where I need them to mount up. (I have 16 stake pockets to start with.)Last edited by JimTjr; 07-03-2009 at 10:59 PM.
Reply:I dug out the literature I have from Reading on thier stake bodies that I got while looking at building one for a customer. Readings specs are pockets on 24" centers. Sides are 30" or 42" high with 4 horizontal slats.As far as the rear, I would make a large corner post and then you can either make gates or a removeable wall on the rear. Thats what we do on my buddies trailer. His is only 6' wide and we use a single sheet of ply attached to the rear posts usually. His sides and front are solid ply but attach to the frame type sides instead of pockets. I'd rather have the pockets on a flat deck myself for more options.
Reply:Thanks DSW, My trailer is 83" wide on the floor.  So it's almost 7' wide. Here are my thoughts after pondering it tonight.2x4 stakes, 1x 6 lateral boards, maybe 1.5" spaced apart. I was even wondering about those 'Composite" deck material they have. (It would last FOREVER for sure) Um, nope, just did the math, almost 800.00 for the composite boards alone!  Looks like treated lumber for now! ROTFLMAO...So, If I do 6 rows of treated 1x6, with 1.5" between each board. That would be about 40" then wouldn't it? Do you think the 1x's would flex much? Maybe I WOULD need pockets every 24" then to keep them rigid?
Reply:I'm about to bail outta here, but the question of strapping to the rub rail is sorta not too goodI never, unless in an emergency, ran a binder or a strap thru a rub rail.  There's no resistance to pull.Binder chain........drop it thru, then hook it on the topside of the stake pocketStrap..... hook it to the bottom of the stake pocket.  Get straps with the J hooks.  I remember the weld on winch strap tightener thingys too.  They worked really well with lumber loads."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Depends on what you plan to hold back. We used plywood since we wanted to keep loose items from getting out. The only issue I have with PT 1x's is that they are usually crap, 5/4 decking is a bit better IF you get the good stuff not some of the crap thats sold cheap at Lowes or Depo.Regardless of price I doubt you would be happy with the "trex" type "lumber" It gets VERY flexible when it gets warm let alone hot. I space joists for decks at 12" O.C. because customers complain about the "bounce" if you do 16" centers.
Reply:Originally Posted by gclampUS DOT has a rule, 3 tie downs per item or every 7 ft if one piece is over 14 ft. The pic of the trailer loaded shows 4 separate loads, each requiring their own set of tie downs. If that is a consistent type of load you carry, I would think 2 sets of pockets per load. If I remember correctly, you would only need 2 sets of straps per load then. Some one might correct me. It has been a few years since I have had to deal with DOT stuff.. BTW that rig definitely falls under DOT regs. Nice looking trailer! Do you haul Hot Shot?
Reply:Well, flex or not, the PRICE will keep me from using that material! LOLI'll check around. Spacing is just a general idea. That small of a spacing would keep most anything in general from falling out the side.  IF I want to haul a load of dirt, gravel, mulch ect, then I could stand some plywood up at the front. I DOUBT I would haul a FULL load of anything like that on that trailer, but I could haul 8 or 12' worth at the front with plywood stood up against the sides when I needed it.
Reply:Actually, It was Ohio and more specifically Michigan, I used to weld on a lot of steel haulers. Those 8 axle behemoths carrying 120,000 lbs + - of steel rolls. I was welding on a hauler at a inspection station just north of the Ohio line on I 75.  Michigan State Police were telling me about some of the dot regs regarding trailer loads. Man, did they ever go over my welding truck the first time I went to do a repair there.Lincoln Ranger 8                        Lincoln 175                          Drill pressLincoln 225 mig                            Plasma                              8 ft brake        52" jump shear
Reply:Yes!Michigan is another state that has a lot of their own regulations for the trucks that originate there!California is another one, and probably the worst state to deal with as a driver!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Now, if we are talking rolled steel, there are more requirements involved with that!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!