Cage for Trailer

[lnt9000]

I need to make a cage for a 9 x 5 trailer, around a meter high, I need it strong enough to load timber on top which will overlap my ute, timber weight approx >300 kilo, can someone in the know suggest what materials I should construct the frame out of and also the thickness and spacing of the mesh?

I was tending toward a similar design to the following.

new 10x5 tandem trailer & 3ft heavy duty cage - eBay, Trailers, Trailers, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 13-Jul-10 19:30:20 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/new-10x5-tandem-trailer-3ft-heavy-duty-cage-/320556901788?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Trailers&hash=item4aa2ae259c)

Cheers.

[Yonnee]

I'd look at 40mm or 50mm Sq SHS x 2.5mm wall for the main frame, but your two weight bearing pieces (front & rear top cross rails) I'd go at least 3mm wall. Your mesh depends entirely on what you want to contain. Leaves and grass clippings require something pretty small, 25mm sq., whereas furniture you can use 50 x 75 or whatever you can pick up at the right price.

One tip, to save you cutting the mesh as well as wasting any, make your cage height match the width of a mesh sheet, usually in 300mm increments. So if you can go a 900mm high cage, it'll save you cutting down 200mm off 1200mm sheets.

I would also have the rear cross rail a removeable piece, as ducking under it when loading and unloading is a PITA.

[jatt]

I would also have the rear cross rail a removeable piece, as ducking under it when loading and unloading is a PITA.

Yeah go along with that.

Before starting would do some kind of mock up of the bar work front and rear to work out a suitable height. Obviously in your case the rest of the cage will be the same height. Place a length of timber/steel so it overhangs the ute. Why? cause when u have to negotiate a gutter (like the bastard one at a local hardware store here) with something that overhangs the ute..... well kind of self explanatory.

Cause I have a low roller door to negotiate at home I also tested my mock up before welding the whole thing up. I only have flat top tradie bars on my trailer but of course the principle is the same.

Happy welding

Jatt

[lnt9000]

Some good tips there, thank you guy's, I have some experimenting to do as to the actual height, the overhang is basically so as I can cart 6m lengths without sticking out the back too far, with the mesh I was thinking the heavier the gauge the more it will support the front and rear cross rails.
40mm it is, all 4 sides will be separate (bolt together), probably a cross bar in the centre in case I throw a tarp over it.

[Bazzmate]

. . . Leaves and grass clippings require something pretty small, 25mm sq., whereas furniture you can use 50 x 75 or whatever you can pick up at the right price. . . .
. . . . I would also have the rear cross rail a removeable piece, as ducking under it when loading and unloading is a PITA.

Talking about PITA's . . . Have you ever tried threading rope and tying down loads through 50x75 (or less) mesh spacing? If you don't need a small mesh size spacing, suggest going for at least 75mm2 mesh. That way you have half a chance of getting your hand through the mesh to make it easier to thread rope and to tie down loads.

IMHO, 3mm wire thickness mesh would be OK for general trailer usage . . . if you can get it?

Cheers

[Yonnee]

Mmmm... Horses for courses. 50 x 75 isn't that small a hole. I guess it depends on your hand size. I don't think I could get my hand through even a 75mm square hole.

And personally, I wouldn't rely on the mesh for strength. If something heavy in the trailer knocks it and kinks it, you lose the strength. Make the frame carry any load.

[jatt]

Talking about PITA's . . . Have you ever tried threading rope and tying down loads through 50x75 (or less) mesh spacing?

To keep stuff like grass clippings in the trailer, some ply cut and placed up against the sides would be a goer. At least then one can use a bigger mesh size.


probably a cross bar in the centre in case I throw a tarp over it.

A slight bend in the bar to help reduce the swimming pool effect on the tarp and u cant really go wrong. Something that size would probably go at least two.

[UglyDan]

Gday int9000,

Im building a cage right now for a 8x5 dual axle. Im using 30x30x1.6mm painted RHS and 50x75x4mm gal mesh and its very tough. Not sure what guages you want to go for but this is plenty tough.

I agree not to place a cross bar at the rear end as you'll be cursing when you bang your head a million times on it! Ive made up a detachable roof rack which bolts it all together for heavier loads.

Ill post some pics once ive welded the mesh on.

Cheers

UglyDan

[UglyDan]

Gday again, well have only just slapped this together. Still got a bit to go before its finished but you get the idea.

(click image to view larger image)
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7742/dscf28211.th.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/dscf28211.jpg/)

The roof racks could definatley hold blanks of wood etc but thinking about it more, i think the other guys are right, 40x40 or 50x50 would be better for 300kg loads.

Cheers

UglyDan

[lnt9000]

Gday again, well have only just slapped this together. Still got a bit to go before its finished but you get the idea.

(click image to view larger image)
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7742/dscf28211.th.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/dscf28211.jpg/)

The roof racks could definatley hold blanks of wood etc but thinking about it more, i think the other guys are right, 40x40 or 50x50 would be better for 300kg loads.

Cheers

UglyDan

Your making progress, I've only just welded up the frame, It's a pita workin' with an arc welder, especially when it's gal, havn't the luxury of a mig, next will be the mesh, 75 x 50 x 4mil should be okay, sourced it for $24 buck's a sheet, I finished up using 40 x 40 x 1.6, $33 a length of 8 meters, speaking of the mesh guy's would you insert it into the frame and tack each wire or just overlay on the inside face?.
Still trying to source some pipe, id around 10mm, this will be to insert through the tubing for the mounting bolts, some weld on hinges on ebay.

[UglyDan]

Sounds like you got some good prices for the materials, i assure you i paided alot more :doh:
As far as the mesh is concerned ive welded the sheets to the inside, so what ever i have to tie down inside the trailor, can sit flush with the mesh.

Cheers

UglyDan

[lnt9000]

Been a while, but I forgot to post up some pix, so here they are, It has been going well with fairly heavy loads over the top, and 6 meter lengths now no problem, thank's for everyones suggestions.

[Cliff Rogers]

:2tsup:

[Bigfox65]

Been a while, but I forgot to post up some pix, so here they are, It has been going well with fairly heavy loads over the top, and 6 meter lengths now no problem, thank's for everyones suggestions.

Hi int9000,

The cage looks fantastic, and chance you'd have the plans for that? I'd love to make one similar, I only have a 8x5 trailer.
Cheers

[lnt9000]

Hi int9000,

The cage looks fantastic, and chance you'd have the plans for that? I'd love to make one similar, I only have a 8x5 trailer.
Cheers

Sorry, The only plan I had was a vivid Imagination, I did however make it all out of Gal, so some time later and being stored outdoors still like new,
Mongrel to weld that thin gal with an arc welder but perseverance pays off, Good-Luck with the project.:)