Hay wagon side support brackets for 2x4

[Das Karl]

Greetings,
I bought an old 16 ft wagon from a guy about 40 miles from home. Road tested it and it tows straight at 30 mph! Pretty good for $200. Ultimately, it will be my daughters mobile veggie stand, as well as the usual chores, float in the town parades etc.

Im rebuilding her, from the gear up. I glued and screwed 2 2x8 for the foundation, then set 4x4s on top, and finished the deck w/ 5/4 x 1. I wrapped 2x6 around the edges, so I can put brackets on, so I can lift some or all of the sides on and off to reconfigure based on mission.

Here's the hard part. None of the usual sources (home depot, TSC, even the amazing Nichols hdwe in Purcellville Va) sell brackets that will fit a 2x4. I got some gate latch brackets that are 3" wide x 1 9/16" deep, so even a trimmed 2x4 flops around. I would rather not screw or bolt the sides on, since that negates the quick reconfigure option, or unloading, etc. Internet searches have also yielded nothing.

Thanks in advance,

Das Karl

 

[Just2quickz28]

Are you looking for the stake pockets to slide the sides into that attach to the frame?
Trailer Parts Superstore - Bolt-On Stake Pocket, 3" x 1-1/2" ID #B2373G


Or the corner brackets that go on the sides to keep the sides connected to each other?
Trailer Parts Superstore - Corner Stake Rack Connector Set #6020

Not sure where you are located but last time I ordered from this company parts where delivered within 2 days

 

[jayste]

Try using something as close to the size as you can and that's priced right. Trim the board to fit just as long as you don't have to trim too much and loose rigidity.

 

[milkman]

One of these might work.

stake pockets from Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[dts1449]

Not sure if your using treated lumber or not but that's something to definitely keep in mind when you're picking your hardware. I learned the hard way last year when I built a trailer for my sub-compact. Luckily I realized my mistake before I got it on the road and changed the fasteners out. I had used standard grade 5 hardware to hold some treated plywood on and the bolts were in bad shape after only a few weeks. I ended up using stainless.

The pockets from Northern that MilkMan suggests look like a good choice, they are hot dipped galvanized and come in a couple versions, straight or tapered. Or...., you could always build your own out of 1 1/2 x 1/8 angle with a 1/8 x what ever height you choose welded across the two opposing angle pieces. Not real cost effective when you consider the time and materials, but if you had the scrap laying around and time on your hands it might be an option. It comes to mind because I happen to have all the materials laying in my scrap heap and am always looking for something to tinker with. But, they wouldn't be galvanized and they'd add extra time and effort to the project. DTS

 

[sweettractors]

Greetings,
I bought an old 16 ft wagon from a guy about 40 miles from home. Road tested it and it tows straight at 30 mph! Pretty good for $200. Ultimately, it will be my daughters mobile veggie stand, as well as the usual chores, float in the town parades etc.

Im rebuilding her, from the gear up. I glued and screwed 2 2x8 for the foundation, then set 4x4s on top, and finished the deck w/ 5/4 x 1. I wrapped 2x6 around the edges, so I can put brackets on, so I can lift some or all of the sides on and off to reconfigure based on mission.

Here's the hard part. None of the usual sources (home depot, TSC, even the amazing Nichols hdwe in Purcellville Va) sell brackets that will fit a 2x4. I got some gate latch brackets that are 3" wide x 1 9/16" deep, so even a trimmed 2x4 flops around. I would rather not screw or bolt the sides on, since that negates the quick reconfigure option, or unloading, etc. Internet searches have also yielded nothing.

Thanks in advance,

Das Karl

Here in Ky, we see a lot of tobacco wagons that have the notch cut back in your 2 x 6 and then put a piece of flat stock on the outside. I had one that has a piece of 1/4 flat stock down both sides and pockets notched back about 3 ft apart. Ken Sweet

 

[Das Karl]

Thanks for all the ideas. I think the black brackets will work fine, and cost less. I used exterior screws for all construction, so we'll see how they hold up. I plan to keep a tarp on top as much as possible, so I'm hoping that minimizes the issue. I thought about buying a starter gas welding set and making some of my own brackets, since that is on my "life skills to develop", but I'd like to get this done soon.

Thanks again
Das

 

[RPW]

Keep in mind that wood will swell and shrink according to weather so you don't want your pocket to be too tight.

Good luck.

 

[pat32rf]

RPW is right. They can swell to the point that you need a chainsaw and sledge hammer to remove them....