Sturdy trailer fender?

dstig1 · Feb 9, 2011

I need to do a couple upgrades to my trailer this spring. I have another thread running on fork pockets and I think I have that sorted out OK. The other one is the fenders. The ones on there are getting pretty rusty and cannot handle being stepped on, even though I do it at times (sometimes unavoidable). This is the double axle trailer in my avatar, 2x 5400lb axles, 15" wheels (IIRC - I don't have it handy). I would like fender I can safely step on. 2 questions:

1: Are sturdy ones available out there pre-made? etrailer had nothing for duals
2: I can bend/weld up my own but what thickness steel is thick enough but not crazy thick? 14 ga? 12 ga? 1/8"? I'm not sure if I can brace them in between the axles/wheels for support, but it may be possible.

Looking for some guidance based on others who have similar setups that are sturdy enough to stand on. If I bend my own they will be simply angled, not curved. I could add a front apron with a curved cutout for the wheels perhaps. I suspect I will end up making my own.

And any other advice welcome.

Thanks

Bigger picture:

Skyco · Feb 9, 2011

I bought some nice heavy tread plate fenders from Nueratrailerparts.com * They are strong enough to stand on no problem. One tip- my original sheet metal fenders were welded on and were a PITA to cut off after a big rig sideswiped me and tore one up. The new fenders I bolted on, easy future replacement, plus there may be a need to sometime haul or load something where the fenders would be in the way. I welded the nuts to the frame so I can pull 4 bolts from the outside and have them off in no time.

* their website is currently messed up- they show no tandem fenders but I know they have many types and sizes.

jwstewar · Feb 9, 2011

My Gatormade trailer has heavy duty diamon plate fenders. Strong enough to walk on. They have a little table welded to each end of them that sits on a plate sticking out. This plate has a stud welded to it. The tab sits down over the stud and the fenders are held on with a wing nut front and rear. About 30 seconds you can have a fender off.

George2615 · Feb 9, 2011

If you are going to make your own fenders and they are going to be permanent on the trailer you could weld (or bolt) a couple L shaped brackets made out of angle steel to each side of the trailer to support each fender. Then slip the fenders over the angle shaped L brackets and bolt the fenders to them. The angle support will support the fender and you when you need to stand on them.

lostcause · Feb 9, 2011

i have a trailer similar to yours that i built many years ago. i bought standard stamped metal fenders, but to make them so i could stand on them i made brackets that came out of the frame rails to attach the front and rear of the fenders to, and a diagonal brace from the center of the fender (between the tires) down to the frame rail.

mrmikey · Feb 9, 2011

1/8" checker plate bent into a 1 1/2" x 10" x 1 1/2" channel and then 2 bends down on each end. Strong, looks good (I like the look of checker plate) and strong....Mike

dstig1 · Feb 9, 2011

lostcause said:
i have a trailer similar to yours that i built many years ago. i bought standard stamped metal fenders, but to make them so i could stand on them i made brackets that came out of the frame rails to attach the front and rear of the fenders to, and a diagonal brace from the center of the fender (between the tires) down to the frame rail.

That was one thing I was thinking about doing but wasn't sure if it would interfere with the tires when the suspension goes over bumps or not. Sounds like they don't move that way so it stays clear of the tires. Thx.

Mike - If I am going to bend them up myself, I was thinking about diamond plate too.

jwstewar · Feb 10, 2011

I was cleaning up one the computers here at work and found a couple of pictures from when I first bought my trailer. Ironically I had a couple of pictures of the fenders on it. In the first picture you can see the tab the holds the fender on the trailer. On the second picture you can see the diagonal brace that supports the outside edge of the fender. BTW, that brace comes off with the fender because it is attached to the inside of the fender, that whole back plate comes off with the fender.

Iplayfarmer · Feb 11, 2011

jwstewar said:
I was cleaning up one the computers here at work and found a couple of pictures from when I first bought my trailer. Ironically I had a couple of pictures of the fenders on it. In the first picture you can see the tab the holds the fender on the trailer. On the second picture you can see the diagonal brace that supports the outside edge of the fender. BTW, that brace comes off with the fender because it is attached to the inside of the fender, that whole back plate comes off with the fender.

I like this idea.

I have two brand new custom axles sitting in my garage waiting for me to get time to put them on my tilt trailer. I'm pretty sure that the new axles will make it so I need new fenders, too (more drop to these new axles). I'd love to get some sturdy fenders I can stand on that are easily removable. That wing not concept looks like a good one.

dstig1 · Feb 11, 2011

While it looks interesting for those times when you need to remove the fender (I don't seem to have that need), I can't help but think the wing nuts would vibrate loose in short order.

This particular fender looks good overall, but seems very high. Mine are much closer to the wheels.