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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Leesburg VA
    Posts
    3

    Default 6’10”x12’ Utility Trailer

    Hey all!

    I am in the planning phase of building my trailer. I’ll be building it in my garage and I have a question on the beginning of the build.

    How do I ensure that the frame is on the same plane when I build it?

    I thought of using a laser level and make sure every location I measure from on the frame is the same distance from the laser line. Seems like that would work.

    I also thought of getting two 2x6s and clamping the ends together in a V shape and then putting a 2x4 under each point of the V and building on top of that.

    Anyway, any suggestions would be great!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Thats a good question. I've been thinking of building a trailer for some time and wondered the same thing.

    I get the impression that most people just rely on the floor of their shed being sufficiently level and make the frame on the floor.

    Most rotary laser levels are level to within a few mm so should do a reasonable job.

    For me, the biggest challenge would be to ensure the frame stays level/ flat after its fully welded.

    You could also use a precision level, such as a Starrett 98 or similar and sit it on each part of the chassis. If all chassis members are level, then they should all be aligned in the one plane. However, I suggest this would be an extreme measure and unnecessary.

    Simon

    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    Western Sydney
    Posts
    262

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    For me, the biggest challenge would be to ensure the frame stays level/ flat after its fully welded.
    My first trailer i made i thought it was going well until i got it off the stands and it was bowed like a bloody banana, lmao ! wasn't funny at the time but a good learning curve.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Leesburg VA
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Iron triangle View Post
    My first trailer i made i thought it was going well until i got it off the stands and it was bowed like a bloody banana, lmao ! wasn't funny at the time but a good learning curve.
    What was the cause?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    I'll have a guess and say incorrect welding sequence leading to warping/movement of the welded joins.

    It's a guess because I struggle with keeping things square/flat when I weld up frames. However I am getting better at tacking and weld sequence and mostly manage to limit such issues. But there has been alot of tears and swearing along that journey!

    Simon



    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    Western Sydney
    Posts
    262

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lowlyslows View Post
    What was the cause?
    My inexperience in welding , applying too much heat and not clamping it were the main problems. Note that trailer frame was angle iron so it bends easily if not careful.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    Western Sydney
    Posts
    262

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    I'll have a guess and say incorrect welding sequence leading to warping/movement of the welded joins.
    Yep 100%

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Leesburg VA
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    I'll have a guess and say incorrect welding sequence leading to warping/movement of the welded joins.

    It's a guess because I struggle with keeping things square/flat when I weld up frames. However I am getting better at tacking and weld sequence and mostly manage to limit such issues. But there has been alot of tears and swearing along that journey!

    Simon



    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Hmm.. I have been welding a long time but never had to worry about movement as most of my project have been on a weld table and clamped in place. I’ll have to study weld sequencing! Thanks

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lowlyslows View Post
    Hmm.. I have been welding a long time but never had to worry about movement as most of my project have been on a weld table and clamped in place. I’ll have to study weld sequencing! Thanks
    You're welcome.

    Simon

    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    As far as checking its in the same plane - a simple method is to run a stringline from each corner to its diagonal opposite.
    If the stringlines *just touch in the middle where they overlap then the corners are on the same plane.
    Any gap means at least one of the corners on the high string are high.
    If the strings are touching hard enough to see a visible bend, then the high string has a low corner.
    I usually put a small wooden packer (6-12mm) of the same thickness under the stringline at each corner, as it raises the line up from any welds etc.
    It can also be helpful to put an additional thin packer on the high string, and check for that same gap where the strings overlap rather than just relying on them touching (but you can't really tell how hard).

    Apart from it being cheap and easy, the method doesn't require the frame you are checking to be level - you can just as easily check something that's in the vertical plane or laid back on an angle.

    Steve

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Thanks for sharing that idea Steve. That's a good one and probably best solves the OP question/issue.

    Simon

    Sent from a galaxy far far away
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

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