dump trailer frame channel or tube?
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BruceWard
Platinum Member
You can paint the inside of channel.
Tubing has greater twist resistance.
I believe that a 4" channel with the long side vertical can withstand a greater vertical load than 2" tubing. Both have 4" of vertical side but I beleive the single 4" vertical is stronger than 2 2" verticals.
Tubing has greater twist resistance.
I believe that a 4" channel with the long side vertical can withstand a greater vertical load than 2" tubing. Both have 4" of vertical side but I beleive the single 4" vertical is stronger than 2 2" verticals.
Diamondpilot
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I was a firm believer in tube trailers for a long time until I had a tri axle 18,000# boat trailer built. That cost. Anyway after talking to 3 different custom trailer builders they had 3 different ideas on brakes. One liked Disc surge, one liked stainless electric, and another liked electric over hydraulic. I opted for Surge Disc.
Anyway one liked Tube. The other two liked Channel. One guy made a good point that sold me. He said tube was for finish work. Channel, I-Beams, ect are for structural. He said how many large semi trailers, GN's, or even sky scrapers you seen built from tube steel? That sold me.
So my answer to you is I would go with Channel.
Chris
Anyway one liked Tube. The other two liked Channel. One guy made a good point that sold me. He said tube was for finish work. Channel, I-Beams, ect are for structural. He said how many large semi trailers, GN's, or even sky scrapers you seen built from tube steel? That sold me.
So my answer to you is I would go with Channel.
Chris
Great comments.
although most mass produced ones are tube. Well at least ones sold here in southeastern PA.
I am looking at Griffin(dump max), cam superline, and sure-trac. All have tubular frames and cross members and are similarly priced for 7x12 10,000#. All are around $5500.
I spoke to a custom trailer guy and visited to see his. He used channel iron and his trailer costs over $8000.
So, you do get what you pay for.
As for the trailers I mention, some are 7 gauge thick tube, at least the one manufacturer mentions thickness.
One must consider that big buildings hold much more weight. If the tube can hold the weight, then it holds the weight.
thanks for the input!
john
although most mass produced ones are tube. Well at least ones sold here in southeastern PA.
I am looking at Griffin(dump max), cam superline, and sure-trac. All have tubular frames and cross members and are similarly priced for 7x12 10,000#. All are around $5500.
I spoke to a custom trailer guy and visited to see his. He used channel iron and his trailer costs over $8000.
So, you do get what you pay for.
As for the trailers I mention, some are 7 gauge thick tube, at least the one manufacturer mentions thickness.
One must consider that big buildings hold much more weight. If the tube can hold the weight, then it holds the weight.
thanks for the input!
john
BruceWard
Platinum Member
Semi trailersm GNs and sky scrapers are designed to handle defined stresses.
I can see why tubing could be used to resist twisting in a dump trailer. I imagine that stress occurs in unexpected directions during the dump. On a slope wieght transfers from one side to another causing a twisting force. When dumping that force would be concentrated on a small area.
7 guage is 3/16ths so it is middle weight tubing.
What are the outside dimensions of the tubes?
I would assume the commercial trailers are desinged by an engineer. If I were building a dump trailer I would try to follow their design.
I can see why tubing could be used to resist twisting in a dump trailer. I imagine that stress occurs in unexpected directions during the dump. On a slope wieght transfers from one side to another causing a twisting force. When dumping that force would be concentrated on a small area.
7 guage is 3/16ths so it is middle weight tubing.
What are the outside dimensions of the tubes?
I would assume the commercial trailers are desinged by an engineer. If I were building a dump trailer I would try to follow their design.
CurlyDave
Elite Member
He said how many large semi trailers, GN's, or even sky scrapers you seen built from tube steel?
Where I used to work we made lots of frames to support heavy, but oddly shaped items where even small deflections could cause a problem. We used mostly square tubing to make up the frames.
If you don't know exactly what the forces are and just want to make it "strong enough" square tube is a good thing.
Where I used to work we made lots of frames to support heavy, but oddly shaped items where even small deflections could cause a problem. We used mostly square tubing to make up the frames.
If you don't know exactly what the forces are and just want to make it "strong enough" square tube is a good thing.
My concern with tube is the inside can rust out and one may never know until it is too late.
My dump trailer has a channel frame but all the box supports are tube. One day I noticed rusty water dripping from a few spots. Seems the welds aren't always perfect letting rain water, road spray, etc seep in. I drilled about a 3/16 hole in every single section to let any water accumulation out. I was really surprised how much rusty water drained from some.
I've been trying to figure a practical way to fog the inside of each member with an oil mist or something...
My dump trailer has a channel frame but all the box supports are tube. One day I noticed rusty water dripping from a few spots. Seems the welds aren't always perfect letting rain water, road spray, etc seep in. I drilled about a 3/16 hole in every single section to let any water accumulation out. I was really surprised how much rusty water drained from some.
I've been trying to figure a practical way to fog the inside of each member with an oil mist or something...
wushaw
Elite Member
My 8X16 duall tandem dump trailer is "I" beam frame, It'll hold 11tons no problem and dump it.
RickB
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I think heavy duty trailers use channel for two reasons.
1. All surfaces can be treated and cleaned to minimize corrosion.
2. Channel WILL deflect without cracking and transferring stress to welds better than tube profiles. There are many instances in manufacturing where rigidity is not preferred over controlled flex. Trailer frames are a prime example.
1. All surfaces can be treated and cleaned to minimize corrosion.
2. Channel WILL deflect without cracking and transferring stress to welds better than tube profiles. There are many instances in manufacturing where rigidity is not preferred over controlled flex. Trailer frames are a prime example.
Egon
Epic Contributor
Design parameters and cost of materials and construction is usually the deciding factor.