RV trailer frame for flatbed

[zing]

Maybe look into old steel gooseneck horse or stock trailers on CL. Everyone is moving to aluminum now, so they don't command a large price. If you can find one that still has a good frame you might be able to strip off the top and get yourself a good flat deck for cheap. At least you would know you are getting a solid frame and good axles with a known carrying capacity.

 

[handirifle]

Good idea, on the horse/stock trailer. Might have to keep my eyes open.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good idea, on the horse/stock trailer. Might have to keep my eyes open.

I had a client try this. Bent a GN stock trailer in hand with a Ford 8N. Stock and Horse trailers are usually shot to start with at your price point and they get their strength from the side walls. Cut them off and it will fold just like his did.

Chris

 

[zing]

I had a client try this. Bent a GN stock trailer in hand with a Ford 8N. Stock and Horse trailers are usually shot to start with at your price point and they get their strength from the side walls. Cut them off and it will fold just like his did.

Chris

Interesting, I hadn't thought about the strength from the sides, but it makes sense. Where did it fold, at the corner of floor and rise of the gooseneck, or somewhere else? Perhaps some bracing on an angle welded to the floor and the rise to the gooseneck would be able to compensate for the strength lost by removing the sides.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Interesting, I hadn't thought about the strength from the sides, but it makes sense. Where did it fold, at the corner of floor and rise of the gooseneck, or somewhere else? Perhaps some bracing on an angle welded to the floor and the rise to the gooseneck would be able to compensate for the strength lost by removing the sides.

It folded just forward of the front axle. Most stock trailers have the axles set far back for a better ride. This leaves most of the floor area in front of the axles.

There is a reason each type of trailer is built different. They each serve a purpose. If you need to haul equipment get the right trailer, if you need a camper get a camper, ect. I have been in this business part time since the late 80's. Two things have not changed.

1st, you can't build what you need cheaper than you can buy it.

2nd, 9 times out of 10 a used trailer will cost you more than a new one in the first 12 months.

Chris

 

[GPintheMitten]

I yearned for a flatbed for years. I thought about getting an old mobile home frame or better yet an old RV frame.

I finally bought a used flatbed trailer double axle. It is a perfect size and strong enough for my little kubota.

I did some work on it but it was still cheaper than a new trailer. I probably got lucky.

 

[Renze]

Wouldnt it just be easier to start from scratch? By the time you try and beef up the frame and repair what you bend or break, the frustration would drive me nuts.

I agree, if you can afford it right at the start, start from scratch. such a modification will cost way, way more time, and thereby spread the capital outlay over some more months. In the end it usually costs the same.

I'd make a design that incorporates some steel profiles from the existing trailer, but take it apart so you dont have to work around design choices of the original trailer maker, and change it yet again down the road...

 

[handirifle]

Yea all good points, it's just the outlay all at once on a ready built seems to "hurt" more.

 

[aczlan]

Yea all good points, it's just the outlay all at once on a ready built seems to "hurt" more.

As the saying goes, buy once, cry once.

Aaron Z

 

[handirifle]

:cryingeyesout: :cryingeyesout: :cryingeyesout: :cryingeyesout: Yup!