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Thread: Bent trailer frame/chassis
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7th Jun 2016, 02:41 AM #1New Member
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- Jun 2008
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Bent trailer frame/chassis
Hi,
New here & wondered if anyone could advise:
Whilst road-testing the brakes of the new (secondhand) club stacking trailer I had a disagreement with a height barrier, resulting in an unfavourable realignment of the trailer's geometry as shown in the pix...
The members are 40x80x3mm.
Seems to me the options are to cut the creases out & make good either by plating 4 sides or sleeving in the next size up with wall thickness to make a snug fit. Or use unequal angle? I'm planning to MMA weld.
Any pros & cons to this, or any other option?
Many thanks
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7th Jun 2016, 11:00 AM #2Senior Member
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Welcome to the forum.
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7th Jun 2016, 11:50 AM #3
Mostly it is buses and trucks doing this lately.
Years ago I bent an A-frame from overloading with firewood. It was only a small amount compared to yours. The frame was angle. I cut and shut the angle and then boxed it in with another bit of angle to form a square for extra strength. I did this on both sides. It is still going strong.
In your case I would cut and shut and then side plate it. You should be careful not to leave any gaps for water to get inside between the RHS and plate. I would use 6mm plate cut to a width so that the weld sits on the curve. In other words the plate width should be the width of the flat surface of the RHS, or just a fraction more to give you a vee for the weld.
You will read about the idea of not welding across the top/bottom face of structural members on trailers. A weld across the top/bottom surface will create a weak point which may lead to failure. This is why I suggest plating the sides.
Dean
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7th Jun 2016, 09:45 PM #4
Is there enough width on the uprights base plate(U bolt spacing)to accommodate the extra thickness that plating it up will create?
I'd be inclined to replace the rails completely being in a marine environment they are probably already well aged.......................................................................
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8th Jun 2016, 08:11 PM #5New Member
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8th Jun 2016, 08:18 PM #6New Member
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Yes, the u-bolts have quite a lot of space between them & the rail. Also, the racking can be moved a bit if necessary
I'd be inclined to replace the rails completely being in a marine environment they are probably already well aged...
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8th Jun 2016, 08:30 PM #7New Member
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Plating
Dean, Thanks for that - exactly the kind of info I was hoping for - it's one thing being able to run a passable bead, but I'm short on experience.
Just to make sure i've got what you're saying - is this pic right?
Cheers.
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8th Jun 2016, 08:58 PM #8
Thats right except you can weld down the ends of the plate to close it in.
It is the sides of the RHS that provide most of the vertical strength. This trailer looks as tho it does not carry a lot of weight. You said it has 3mm wall thickness. 4mm plate may be enough for the repair. Like Harry said you will need to do something about the Ubolts to make them fit.
Thanks for your welcome, Hope it's OK but I couldn't find a suitable forum here in the UK.
Dean
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