Trailer welding advice needed

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I pulled an old tandem axle home made trailer out of the next door orchard last year.  Rusted but heavy duty and free!  After getting some rims (off an old Scout, $125, uncommon bolt pattern)  and used SUV tires ($25 each) it now needs a deck.  I picked up some 1/4 inch 4' by 9' mild steel plate (2 sheets) cheap (half price).  It needs cross bracing between the 2 main front to back C channels in order to support the deck. As you can see there is bracing between the channels but not flush with the top.  What does stick up I will cut off flush.  The channels run front to back about 4.5'-5' feet apart with the openings facing inward. The 2 main C channels are 6.5" tall, 2" wide and 3/16 " thick.  Looking at an overall 8000 lb load capacity based on the heavy axles and springs and the 2000 lb + capacity of each tire.Looking for advice on what size angle and spacing you might suggest.  Maybe 2"x2"x3/16" angle every 16"?  I plan on notching the angle so it can be welded to both the web and flange of the channel. I'll be using .035 or .045 Lincoln fluxcore wire.Suggestions on the angle size and spacing? Attached Images
Reply:That is going to be one heavy trailer, is it possible to lighten it, for example if you are using it to tow a vehicle/machine of some kind use the heavy plate where the load is and maybe 1/8 between? Just a thought.Clive
Reply:I would use elm.  Looks like it was a camper type trailer.  They get some support from the "body"DavidLast edited by David R; 05-11-2007 at 06:17 AM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderDaddyI pulled an old tandem axle home made trailer out of the next door orchard last year.
Reply:To me, there looks to be enough to justify salvaging this one.  I have done quite a few trailers in worse condition than this one (at least the frames were, I can't see the axles).  If you plan to make it into a very nice trailer, it's gonna take quite a bit of work, probably more than it will ever be worth...but if you just want a very useful trailer, you can put a few hundred in your project and easily have that.  It looks like mostly what you have on the outer frame is surface rust...hit that with a wire cup on a grinder to clean it up a bit to see if you have any reason to think the rust might be in an area that could compromise the strength of the frame...I personally would use somthing other than 2" angle.  See if you can find some steel that resembles what you are removing (6-6.5" tall).  It looks like the crossmembers provide not only support for the load, but also the provides torsional support for the trailer frame to keep it from racking under a load...on trailers that use just angle steel, the rails around the outside of the frame become part of the trailer's support structure to provide stiffness.  You don't have that on a flat bed.  You can build some decent c-channel or L-supports with some angle and the sheet steel you have access to.Be careful using car/truck tires on trailers hauling heavy stuff...I have been told that automotive tires don't have the same sidewall strenght as tires designed for trailers.Post pictures as you go.  This is a pretty common project and I am sure it will be a popular item here.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.