What size material for 5ft x 6ft trailer?

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Im wanting to build a 5ftx6ft 2000lb atv trailer. What sized material should I use? I originally was gonna get 4x2x 3/16 wall rectangular steel tubing, but was told thats WAY overkill. I was also told 1/8" steel C channel and angle iron. For the tongue I was thinking 2x2x 3/16,what do you guys recommend?I will be gusseting wherever I can.Last edited by Ezalycasaid; 08-11-2012 at 01:14 PM.
Reply:There's not really such thing as overkill on a trailer. As long as your welder is hot enough for the thick wall and you're not hauling it behind a Buick Lucerne you should be good to go.
Reply:I always liked working with 3" material on small trailers. Channel / angle / square tube. In staying with one dimension it makes all of your "transition" areas much easier to work with.Thanks,HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Champion offers up some basics for free. Upscale it a notch or two if you are a heck for stout kinda guy. Their plans are probably middle of the road for capacity vs liability. http://www.championtrailers.com/UTIL...AILER_KITS.HTMWhen you say ATV trailer are you going to haul an ATV or tow it behind an ATV?"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:The 4x2x3/16 would be better for the tongue than the 2x2x3/16. Stand the 4x2 in the upright position, that is 4" high. Use enough of the 2x2 stuff for the deck, but the 4x2 would be a better choice here too. It's gonna take a lot of this size material to make it weigh 2000 pounds though, but you can do it. Might need to make it tandem axle so you can carry a payload on top of the trailer when finished with it. What kind of welding machine do you have to take on this project?Is this to pull behind an ATV or carry an ATV?
Reply:Thank yall for the info. I think I may have typed my info in a miss-leading way. I want to make a 2000lb GVWR, to haul an ATV on.
Reply:[QUOTE=Bistineau;1465411 What kind of welding machine do you have to take on this project?[/QUOTE]250 amp Hobart Ironman 230 Mig, setup with .030 wire and co2mix.
Reply:First you need to explain what welder/process you will be using. Asking a question like this is usually indicative that you lack the skills required to pull off such a project. No it's not going to be cheaper than buying one that will fit your needs...if that's why you want to build it. So what is the purpose of wanting to build vs buy? What welder? Do you have the ability to weld sound code quality joints?
Reply:Originally Posted by Ezalycasaid250 amp Hobart Ironman 230 Mig, setup with .030 wire and co2mix.
Reply:Originally Posted by EzalycasaidIm wanting to build a 5ftx6ft 2000lb atv trailer. What sized material should I use? I originally was gonna get 4x2x 3/16 wall rectangular steel tubing, but was told thats WAY overkill. I was also told 1/8" steel C channel and angle iron. For the tongue I was thinking 2x2x 3/16,what do you guys recommend?I will be gusseting wherever I can.
Reply:I have to disagree with the theory that you can't go to heavy.  There are too many overbuilt trailers on the road (and too many under built ones as well). If you are designing around a #2000 LB axle, designing a bed that will old a backhoe is not needed. You may end up with a trailer that has only 1000 lbs capacity left.  I would think 2x3 or 2x4 1/8" wall tubing is plenty for that if you have no sides.  If you have sides you can switch to channel or angle, otherwise I would think the bed would flex to much. DMV has no standards or inspections, at least in Ca.  We should start a thread on trailer "fail" pictures.  I work at a recreation area where we repair them all the time.  It's hard to believe some of the stuff thats on the road.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartI have to disagree with the theory that you can't go to heavy.  There are too many overbuilt trailers on the road (and too many under built ones as well). If you are designing around a #2000 LB axle, designing a bed that will old a backhoe is not needed. You may end up with a trailer that has only 1000 lbs capacity left.  I would think 2x3 or 2x4 1/8" wall tubing is plenty for that if you have no sides.  If you have sides you can switch to channel or angle, otherwise I would think the bed would flex to much. DMV has no standards or inspections, at least in Ca.  We should start a thread on trailer "fail" pictures.  I work at a recreation area where we repair them all the time.  It's hard to believe some of the stuff thats on the road.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartI have to disagree with the theory that you can't go to heavy.  There are too many overbuilt trailers on the road (and too many under built ones as well). If you are designing around a #2000 LB axle, designing a bed that will old a backhoe is not needed. You may end up with a trailer that has only 1000 lbs capacity left.  I would think 2x3 or 2x4 1/8" wall tubing is plenty for that if you have no sides.  If you have sides you can switch to channel or angle, otherwise I would think the bed would flex to much. DMV has no standards or inspections, at least in Ca.  We should start a thread on trailer "fail" pictures.  I work at a recreation area where we repair them all the time.  It's hard to believe some of the stuff thats on the road.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartWe should start a thread on trailer "fail" pictures.  I work at a recreation area where we repair them all the time.  It's hard to believe some of the stuff thats on the road.
Reply:The only draw back to channel and angle is the bed will flex quite a bit unless it has sides to truss it.  a bed made out of tubing will be stiff.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartThe only draw back to channel and angle is the bed will flex quite a bit unless it has sides to truss it.  a bed made out of tubing will be stiff.
Reply:Regarding flex in the bed, I always wondered if it would reduce fatigue in the welds by spreading the load.  Like you said, some flex might be good.  I just know I make marina's out of tube, because when I make them out of channel and angle they flex so much they are hard to balance on when you walk. Although I always wondered if a "flexible" design would help absorb wave damage more than the stiffer box tube designs.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartRegarding flex in the bed, I always wondered if it would reduce fatigue in the welds by spreading the load.  Like you said, some flex might be good.  I just know I make marina's out of tube, because when I make them out of channel and angle they flex so much they are hard to balance on when you walk. Although I always wondered if a "flexible" design would help absorb wave damage more than the stiffer box tube designs.
Reply:Built this yesterday for the SIN.1-1/2  x 3 x 1/8 tubing for the frame, 2 x 2 x 1/8 angle bunks, 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 1/8 tongue braces, 2 x 3 x 3/16 tongue, 2000lb running gear, outside dimensions are 50" x 99" , sides will be removable 1 x 4 PT verandah flooring 3 tier high attached with 2 x 3 PT, bottom will be 3/4 PT plywood both bolted with 1/4" galv carriage bolts. Floor is flush with the top of the frame. To be towed with an '01 Tracker for his 4 wheeler and whatever else he wants.I had to buid something to try out my 181i  and it worked great, no probs at all, I was quite inpressed with the available heat. All I had on hand was .030, after I got used to the smaller size ('bout 30 seconds LOL) all was good. I'm used to a 400A Bernard gun at work so using a 180 Tweco was a completely different experience, albeit a good one...Mike Attached Images
Reply:SIN is wiring it up, the sides are done, it's just a matter of boltng down the floor, attaching the VIN tag, getting it MVI'd and good to go....Mike Attached Images