40 FOOT DRY VAN TRAILER FOR BRIDGE

[spo307]

I have a question i hope someone could help me with. If I got a 40' trailer and cut it down to the deck, removed axles and 5th wheel pin, and spanned 35 foot stream, would it hold around 9k, ( tractor & B/H ) I have heard that if you strip the box off the trailer looses it's strength. I always thought there were two rails running down the middle? thanks for the help

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can not comment on that but my Father-N-Law works for Great Dane Trailers here in Indiana and I could ask him. I do know a guy who tried to strip down a old GN Livestock trailer to make a car hauler about 10 years ago. It folded like a pretzel just putting a Chevy Cavalier on it. Its still sitting in his field.

Chris

 

[NSBound]

How would it work to leave the box on and have a covered bridge? You could even knock a couple windows in the sides!

 

[Willl]

I always thought there were two rails running down the middle?

There is, but are no-where-near the size of the rails under a 40' flatbed.

 

[QRTRHRS]

There is, but are no-where-near the size of the rails under a 40' flatbed.

I second the vote for a flatbed frame. Everything is there, the main rails, the cross members and the stake pockets if you want to add some kind of curbing.

 

[Ductape]

If you cut the sides off a box trailer it'll fold up with a lawn tractor on it. As suggested, a flat would be good. I've driven across flatbed body bridges with my F350..... plenty sturdy. Used trailers are relatively cheap.... just watch the amount of rust on the underside.

 

[spo307]

problem is flatbed are 2500 to 3k$, dry van was around 800-1100,guess i will have to shop around for a flat bed thanks for the reply's. dennis

 

[wampum]

How wide is the creek? can you put supports on the banks with I beams on top of the supports and under the trailer? Even large beams,should strengthen the trailer to hold your weight.

 

[spo307]

The I beams needed would have to be 12", $750 ea, new, then I would have to deck them with 3x10 pt lumber, if i could just cut the banks making a longer approach I would, but here in ny if you touch a stream in anyway u get fined big $$$

 

[schmism]

40 shipping container and cut both ends out. on the upshot its designed to be supported at just the corners

the box type trailers get a significant amount of strength from the "box" part.