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Hello all. Picked up a Royal Utility box for a song and am going to convert it to a trailer for a mobile welding rig. Need help on the frame to support it. What thickness and type of material would you build the main frame out of? C-channel? Box tubing? What wall thickness. Normally I would over build something, but Im trying to keep costs down. My theory is that the utility box is going to provide a substantial amount of rigidity to any frame that I build so I would like to save on steel costs. Utility box weighs in at 1000 lbs. and is 8 feet in length. Thanks!I am posting this on other forums, so I apologise if you run into this elsewhere!Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Sheetmetal boxes may not be as rigid as you think.I like 2x3, 2x4, 2x5, rectangular tube, it works good for a very rigid frame.1/8 inch wall thickness minimum I should think. C channel is less prone to interior rusting, and is a good compromise shape, although less rigid than rectangular tube.I-beam works, but the joinery can be complicated, I wouldn't use that myself. Maybe I would think about it, if it was abundant and cheap! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Is this what you are talking about?http://www.royaltruckbody.com/catalo...y&model=40VO98Almost every utility body I've seen is sitting on rails, usually directly on top of the truck frame. I'd be safe and go with 5" C channel or larger and mimick the truck frame. Thats assuming you are putting 6k axels under it. Taller members will give more strength than shorter ones with the same wall thickness. All you really need is the 2 heavy main rails and enough spacers to keep them where you want them and prevent wracking, since the box is designed to be supported on the truck frame..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:Thanks guys, I really appreciate your input.That is the exact body I am converting. DSW, your psychic powers are at their pique. The interesting thing about these beds is that there are only 4 mounting points to secure it to the fame of the truck. 2 in the front and 2 in the back. Plus those 4 points are the only contact points on the frame, I actually took it off the truck. All other bracing is raised a few inches above the truck frame to support the floor of the bed. My initial thoughts is 2"x3" 3/16 wall tubing, because it is easy to work with, looks pretty, and is within budget. I really dislike C-channel, mainly from an aesthetics point of view.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:I think I studied every truck body on the market when I was looking to get a new truck a few years back.That body empty will weigh between 800 lbs and 1000 lbs, plus your tools and the welder if you are adding one. I can see this topping 6K easy with a medium sized welder/generator, tools and bottles.To me 3" tall tube is to light. I'd want to go taller, especially if it's only going to be supported in 4 places. I'd go on the theory you want to match what was on the truck originally as far as frame depth goes, unless you get someone who's an engineer to do the math to go lighter. I've crushed 4 6" long lengths of 2"x3" 1/8" tube that was used as blocking between a body and an F350 truck frame.As far as tube vs channel, I prefer channel, even if it is a bit more of a pain to work with. Tube tends to collect water even if "sealed" (they almost never are 100% water tight from what I've found) Open they collect dirt that gets wet and stays that way. Where I lve you get to add road salt to that mix and ice wanting to split tubes, and tube frames usually rot long before channel does.Last edited by DSW; 04-11-2011 at 02:49 AM..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:C-section or I-beam is way cheaper but a little heavy, I've built a few trailers from ute tubs over the years and start with a basic trailer chassis from 50x50x3 mm or 65x35x3 box tube with a draw bar of 75x50x3mm. If money is the issue then 5 or 6mm C-sec or I-beam will be half the price. cut your draw bar so you have between 1200mm and 1500mm hanging out front. Shorter drawbars are stronger and tow better but are harder to back up, it's one of those things where you have to decide according to what you are planning to use it for.
Reply:Why not just find a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck frame and use that? Axles and springs are all taken care of then. |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:38:57