Need advice on trailer (re)build

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First of all !! I'm a long time regular reader and have to thank you all for the entertainment and good information posted here.  I bought a couple of trailers a while ago and finally had the time to actually make something with them.  I'm in the process of making a 6'x11' utility trailer using mostly materials from old trailers that I bought just for the axles and the steel.  Later I will make a small dump trailer for yard use but that will be in another thread several months from now.I don't have a photo of the original trailer because I only have an hour or so at a time to work So. When I have the precious little hour I just ran out in the yard, cut off some welds hammered on it and cut some more.  Before I knew I had it taken apart without having taken any photos. What I would like to end up with is:6x11' utility trailer with stake pockets, no permanent sidesThe side frame is 2x3x1/8 square tubeThe blue cross pieces are 1.5x3x1/8 square tubeI intend to make the "A" tongue out of 1.5x3" channel The axle is #3500 DexterI hope to have a little over #2000 load capacity that would be very seldom needed.  But.  I would want to haul that much a few times a year.In the first picture you see the trailer as it used to look.  You can still see the original shape but I started cutting out the old cross members and a bunch of other stuff is gone. As I had the time I started welding in new flat cross members to retain the shape of the trailer.  In the second picture you can see the shape of the old cross members.Third picture shows the frame I ended up with after putting in all the new cross members and removed the axle to relocate it in the 60/40 fashion.I will run the tongue several feet under the frame as indicated with red in my Charlie Brown drawing.  The other red line is the approximate location for the axle.  As for reinforcing the side frame.  I thought of welding another piece of 1.5x3" tube (represented in yellow) on the top of the original so I would end up with a little lip instead of full blown sides and I could have stake pockets.  What do you think about that?   Do I really need that extra piece of reinforcement on the side rails to go from front to back or it would be enough just to run it partially as it is indicated in the drawing.  It would overlap the tongue and have a total of 9" high stack of material. Am I correct to think that or NOT???I will post more pix as I have the time to do some work.Thanks Attached Images
Reply:I use 2x3x1/8" tube for most of my trailers.  I have a thread you can take a look at for examples.
Reply:Boostinjdm,Thanks for the reply.I searched for trailer projects in the archives but I don't recall having found the thread you are talking about.  I read the recent thread that Bob Warner started about a similar project and it was helpful.  Could you attach a link so I can get directly to it.Thanks
Reply:I picked up the A frame coupler today. The thing is heavy duty but I have never seen this kind of hitch/ball lock.  Is it anything I should stay away from or I'm just too worried.Thanks Attached Images
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=33239My name's not Jim....
Reply:I made some progress on my trailer over the last few days.  Attaching a few pictures of the slow but steady change of my scrap metal into trailer shape.As I mentioned before the main side frame is 2x3x1/8.  Would I be OK to weld another 1.5x3x1/8" piece right on top of those for extra strength?  That is what I'm hoping because I don't want permanent sides unless yo guys say I really should.All input is welcomed. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by Easygo  Would I be OK to weld another 1.5x3x1/8" piece right on top of those for extra strength?
Reply:I REALLY like that coupler  Two of my gooseneck trailers have a similar arrangement.  Very easy to hook up, no sliding parts that get hungup if you miss.About the tubing for crossmembers.  I don't really favor tubing unless it's open on the ends, or has a weep hole at the low point.  I know you're utilizing stuff on hand, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.  And tubing will work well if you provide for drainage.A small drilled hole on both ends at the low point, or an incomplete weld lacking maybe 1/4" on the bottom side, will allow moisture to escape.  It's actually easier to do the incomplete weld because you'd just have to drill thru it to make the weep hole anyhow.Unless you pressure test tubing welds, there's no absolute insurance that they're watertight.  Interior corrosion is bad stuff, and unseen.  Trapped water can freeze, expand, and blow out the sides of the tubing too.  If you're a non believer, I got some pics somewhere, or can step out the door to snap some quick ones.The tiniest pinhole can allow moisture in through capillary action, but doesn't allow it to escape efficiently."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Samm,Unfortunately I'm all too familiar with the effects of ice.  I had frozen pipes in the winters and the sound of water poring from a burst pipe is on par with the most annoying ones I can imagine. It brings words to mind that I can certainly not mention here but I have repeated a lot while replacing a section of pipe in my basement at 11:30pm. So.  Yes I will take that advice and will drill a couple of holes in each piece of tubing.
Reply:I kind of finished the trailer.  I thought I'd post a few more pictures of the rest of the process.  Here is one of the frame when I took it out for a road test with temporary wiring.  It checked out good.  I had a little more welding and the deck to finish.The other two shots are of welds I did. Attached Images
Reply:The process was kind of slow because I depend on good weather as I have no place where I could do the work inside.  Even if I worked inside my barn I would run a serious risk of burning down the place.  So. Here is a shot of my "shop" and another of my "welding rig". Attached Images
Reply:A progress shot of the deck going on the frame.I put a couple of load range "D" 60psi tires on it and it was ready for the first load.The last photo is the first ton wood pellets I hauled home in the trailer and it worked very well. As you can see my boy certainly approved of the work.I have not painted it because this is the most busy season for trailer needs and I must start getting stuff home.  On the other hand I hardly need a trailer in the Summer, so, may be next June I will take the deck off and paint it with some Rustoleum.  It needs fenders mounted too.  So. It is in use but not quite done.Thank you for all who gave input. Attached Images
Reply:Nice, I bet the skip loader makes loading a breeze! 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