Farm trailer bed replacement

[lhfarm]

Not sure this is the right forum, but need some advice on repairing an all metal 4x8 trailer. The diamond plate is rusted out in the front, along with the 2" channel that ties it to the frame. Do I need to completely remove the old floor or can I just replace the front channel and repair the rusted front, and drop a new sheet of diamond plate?

This is a farm trailer and doesn't need to be road worthy. It just needs to haul wood and yard waste.



Thanks,

 

[BukitCase]

If you've got a torch or plasma, you could probably just cut out the cancer and weld in new... Steve

I would look close at the tongue though, make sure the rust hasn't gone too far -

 

[lhfarm]

Sadly, no torch or plasma here. Just looking for a quick fix so I can start hauling firewood. I'm behind!

Thanks,

 

[Shield Arc]

What do you think about cutting that channel out with a zip disc, and replacing it with say 4" x 4" angle iron?

 

[Soundguy]

quick fix?

what abot a sawsall with metal blade.. or angle grinder and cutt3r wheel.

for emergency. just toss plywood int here and roll with it.

 

[lhfarm]

What do you think about cutting that channel out with a zip disc, and replacing it with say 4" x 4" angle iron?

That would be easier, but they used the 2" channel to raise the bed off the frame. Not sure why.

quick fix?

what abot a sawsall with metal blade.. or angle grinder and cutt3r wheel.

for emergency. just toss plywood int here and roll with it.

If I can get the front re-welded, I may just do that.

Thanks,

 

[Shield Arc]

I was thinking the 4" x 4" angle may get you out to some iron that was worth saving, also support the plywood inside the bed. What about spacing the angle iron up?

 

[Soundguy]

if you can't re weld. drill and bolt. better than nuttin. and it's not going onthe road anyway.

 

[lhfarm]

I was thinking the 4" x 4" angle may get you out to some iron that was worth saving, also support the plywood inside the bed. What about spacing the angle iron up?

This is getting me thinking - what I needed. I'll head down to the barn tomorrow and see what I might be able to do quickly. My welding is shaky too, so simpler is better.

Thanks,

 

[Shield Arc]

My welding is shaky

Mine too!

 

[Soundguy]

This is getting me thinking - what I needed. I'll head down to the barn tomorrow and see what I might be able to do quickly. My welding is shaky too, so simpler is better.

Thanks,

luckily it's a farm job.

grind the metal clean in a couple spots to tack.

not like it needs to survive 75mph.

 

[lhfarm]

Did a quick measurement and a 4" angle would get me to solid metal on the side and floor. Think of getting a piece of 2" channel and welding that to the frame, then the put the angle on top of that.

How thick does the angle need to be? Stated another way, what should I ask for at the steel store?

Thanks,

 

[Shield Arc]

Did a quick measurement and a 4" angle would get me to solid metal on the side and floor. Think of getting a piece of 2" channel and welding that to the frame, then the put the angle on top of that.

That's how I would do it.

My steel book shows 4" x 4" structural angle come in 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4-inch. I'm no engineer, but that small of trailer I would think 1/4 to 3/8-inch would be good enough.:confused3:

 

[lhfarm]

Finally got the repairs made. Just need to drop a 4x8 of 3/4" plywood and I'm ready to haul firewood! As suggested, used some 4" angle on top of the 2" channel. Used tools I had to cut away old metal. I've defined this as a UBF job - ugly, but functional, so no closeup shots of my welds.

Thanks again for the suggestions and encouragement.

 

[Shield Arc]

WOW! That turned out really well! :thumbsup::thumbsup: