So, How do you weld these things on?

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Morning everyone!!I'm into my first trailer build right now and soon I'll have to weld the leaf spring/shackle mounts to the frame.I've heard different things from different people... Some say weld them on all 4 sides, others say "they need to move" and only weld them on certain sides.I'd say they should be welded all the way around... Welds aren't bolts, they shouldn't be used for applications that need a little "give"... But, I thought I'd check with y'all, and see what everyone said, and if there's an accepted "rule-of-thumb" for how this should be done.Have a nice weekend, everyone!! [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:My policy is to never weld all the way across a tube if it can be helped.  Welding length wise is the strongest way and especially on a corner.   Mac
Reply:If I understand correctly Lanse when the say they need to move a little I believe they mean flex a little. If you go overboard with welding it will create a stiff spot in a tube that is meant to flex and twist a little. The outcome to that is cracking and breaking around the welds.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:From what I've seen spread out over the years, folks that make the hangers want you to weld across the front and rear of the hangers, which is also welding across the frame, because they don't want the liability of creating that rigidness when you weld down along the sides of the hangers. The folks that are in charge of critiquing all things related to frames say never weld across the frame and to weld down along the sides of the hangers, which is lineal with the frame member and not across. Looking at such things with a singular point of view and not the whole picture is called "stove piping". Look down the pipe at the hangers or look down the pipe at the frame. One method is best for the hangers, the other is best for the frame. Lots of folks say fuggit and weld all the way around. Shy of using magic you're not going to be able to weld them on there without some negative effect."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:If it was me making the trailer I would weld the front shackles all the way around. The back shackles don't have to take the stress of pulling the axle down the road, the leaf springs should flex under load and push the back shackles back. Some shackles have the rear spring ride inside a square channel welded to the frame. I built my trailer with the rear leaf riding in channel welded to the frame and so far it hasn't failed in fifteen years. The channel has a large bolt through it to keep the rear leaf inside the channel.If you use channel for the rear springs then you only have to buy or make two front shackles. Also, the channel will make the middle area of the frame much stronger. I put the channel all the way to the front shackles so the frame is strengthen in the middle area. This will also make the trailer somewhat lower to the road and still have the full capacity of the springs.If you have any questions PM me and maybe I can explain it better over the phone. Sunday would be best for me.Good luck and have fun !!!!Last edited by kctgb; 07-20-2013 at 04:09 PM.
Reply:6 of one half a dozen of the other.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
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Reply:FWIW I only weld down the sides. I agree with not welding across a frame or tongue. Two 3" Welds on the sides will not hurt the frame flex. You might ask Dexter or Redneck supply.
Reply:Lanse for what its worth the trailers I have seen have been welded in front and rear of the hangers and hole in the center had a pass all the way around it, the sides had just enough to keep the water out.Last edited by KineticWeldingServic; 07-20-2013 at 07:57 PM.Reason: spellinRanger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Here's another thread where this was discussed before:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=35477This manufacturer says to only weld along the sides ("weld only along the chassis rail, welding across may distort chassis rail")(see step 2):http://www.alko.com.au/uploads/2009/...n-slippers.pdfI went out and looked at the ones on my 5 x 10' Carry-On.  They're welded all around, but the ones along the sides looked better.  The ones going across were kind-of half-assed. Attached Images
Reply:every reputable axle manufacturer will have recommended procedures, here are dexters, down around p13. http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/Appli...te_Catalog.pdfFull Welding on the side is optional, but they are specific about starting the bead on the side and wraping across the front or back then wrap around the othere side.Do you know the make of your axles/hanagersBriggs weldnpower 225/210/cvLn-25 suitcaseMillermatic 130
Reply:Originally Posted by Winmacevery reputable axle manufacturer will have recommended procedures, here are dexters, down around p13. http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/Appli...te_Catalog.pdfFull Welding on the side is optional, but they are specific about starting the bead on the side and wraping across the front or back then wrap around the othere side.Do you know the make of your axles/hanagers
Reply:Thanks guys!! That's just the answer I was looking for [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009