Trailer Question

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No, i'm not building a trailer. No, i'm not widening a trailer. I'm not even welding to a trailer. I have a dual axle landscape trailer. 6000# GVW. Around the edges of the trailer it has sides/walsl or whatever you want to call them. They're about a foot high. I don't like them. I'd like to cut them off and reuse the material to make a 3" or so lip on the side of the trailer. I can't remember where i read it but i remember reading something about these making the trailer strong, giving it rigidity, etc. Is this true?Last edited by Kingkong0192; 12-28-2014 at 08:11 PM.
Reply:A picture would help. That said some trailers use the sides for strength so they can use lighter material.It would probably need to be beefed up. Or get a trailer without sides.
Reply:Updated with a picture.
Reply:If you cut the top rail off it's going to be really floppy to say the least.  I'm sure it already is to some degree.  If it were a c-channel frame you'd be good to go, but I strongly discourage you from cutting this one off.  If it were me, I would sell it and use the proceeds to put towards the purchase of another trailer to suit your needs.
Reply:You need it on that trailerAlso- why don't you like the existing rail?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:That looks like my 14" Carson and it's flimsy to begin with. I'd hate to see what the pos would be like if I cut the top rails off.Miller 211Miller T-bolt ac/dcVictor o/aMilwaukee ChopsawDewalt, Milwaukee minigrinderDelta drill pressDelta bench grinderair grinder, die grinderHF pipe benderHF horizontal bandsaw
Reply:What is the frame made of? I am sure you could cut it off especially if you beefed up the rest of the trailer but what would the cost be vs buying the right trailerMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:That rail forms a truss and is the main load carrying element for the trailer. They can get away using light materials because a truss separates the upper and lower material by a given distance allowing the steel members to be more efficient.  If you cut it off you effectively have destroyed the strength of the trailer. You'd have to rebuild the whole trailer frame from scratch with heavy channel to get rid of the side rails and it's just not worth it.If you need a true flat deck trailer you are best off simply selling this one and replacing it with a flat deck trailer designed to do what you want..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If it isn't broke, don't fix it.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:They're not really a huge problem it would just be nice to be able to cut them off. It's not worth cutting them off and then beefing up the trailer. I only paid $800 for the trailer so it's simply not worth it. I normally tow jeeps around with this trailer and when i strap them down i normally have to get into all sorts of weird positions to get through the sides to wrap the chain around the axle. It's even less fun in the cold, rain, snow, etc. Guess i'm just spoiled. Ha. I'll just keep this trailer until a good deal on a flat deck one comes along and then i'll buy that, sell this, yata yata yata. Thanks guys!
Reply:I wouldn't.. I cut off just the front section on a trailer just like that and it made the trailer so flimsy eventually the weld on the rear gate hinge broke... I had to beef up the whole trailer a lot just so i could keep the front section or railing off..
Reply:Originally Posted by Kingkong0192It's not worth cutting them off and then beefing up the trailer. I only paid $800 for the trailer so it's simply not worth it. I'll just keep this trailer until a good deal on a flat deck one comes along and then i'll buy that, sell this, yata yata yata.