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Thread: 6’10”x12’ Utility Trailer
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8th Nov 2021, 05:01 AM #1New Member
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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!
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8th Nov 2021, 08:07 AM #2Most Valued Member
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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 awayGirl, 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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8th Nov 2021, 02:01 PM #3
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8th Nov 2021, 02:39 PM #4New Member
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8th Nov 2021, 02:58 PM #5Most Valued Member
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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 awayGirl, 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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8th Nov 2021, 04:24 PM #6
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8th Nov 2021, 04:27 PM #7
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8th Nov 2021, 11:11 PM #8New Member
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9th Nov 2021, 10:25 AM #9Most Valued Member
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9th Nov 2021, 01:54 PM #10Most Valued Member
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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
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9th Nov 2021, 07:07 PM #11Most Valued Member
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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 awayGirl, 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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