weld or not

[produceguy]

I replaced the togue on my trailer to fix the surge brakes. The old togue was completely welded welded on, no bolts. Ihad to cut it off with a grinder and drill holes to bolt the new one on. From what i can tell, the togue shouldnt be welded. Any advice, am I good with just the bolts?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Bolts are fine... Welded is fine too

 

[oldjeep]

If you bolt it, make sure that the material is strong enough to handle the load where it is bolted. With thick metal either is fine, with thin metal the weld spreads out the force more.

 

[gm280]

The best thing about welds are they don't work loose. Bolts can and have worked loose with the bouncing and vibrations trailering anything. So I will vote weld if you have the ability!

 

[MTboatguy]

I like to bolt them on, just for the reason you found out, if you have to remove it, it takes a grinder to remove it, just make sure the new one you bolt one is rated correctly for the load you intend to tow.

 

[Thalasso]

This is how you want to do it. Notice the plate and wedges at the bolt heads so they go straight through.( not at an angle)

 

[gm280]

Just remember, any bolted joint is only as good as the quality of the hardware. So don't go cheap on the nuts and bolts or lock washers. Huge difference between lower grade hardware and higher grade with their shear strength!

 

[produceguy]

Thanks guys, I will leave it as is, if in the future I need to rebuild or replace it, I can without cutting it off.
I used 1/2in ss bolts and nuts, it should be good.

 

[bigdee]

Thanks guys, I will leave it as is, if in the future I need to rebuild or replace it, I can without cutting it off.
I used 1/2in ss bolts and nuts, it should be good.

You should be fine....bolts or rivets on structural steel if done correctly is generally superior to welding!

 

[bruceb58]

Thanks guys, I will leave it as is, if in the future I need to rebuild or replace it, I can without cutting it off.
I used 1/2in ss bolts and nuts, it should be good.

Just make sure you use the proper grade stainless bolt.

 

[produceguy]

I dont know what grade bolts they are. I threw away the pakage. What grade should be used?
I picked them up at Lowes. 2 Bolts were over 11 bucks.

 

[MTboatguy]

I dont know what grade bolts they are. I threw away the pakage. What grade should be used?
I picked them up at Lowes. 2 Bolts were over 11 bucks.

What markings do the bolts have on the head?

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/materials-and-grades/bolt-grade-chart.aspx

Here is a link to some information on bolt grades.

 

[NYBo]

I wouldn't trust stainless steel bolts from Lowes. If you check out the chart MTboatguy linked, you will see that the ratings for them vary widely. Get at least Grade 5 bolts.

 

[MTboatguy]

I have never had any problems with Home Depot or Lowes bolts, they are the same company bolts that Fastnal sells, never have had any of them break unless I did something stupid, I will still check out the chart and learn a bit about grading bolt and shear strength when it comes to bolts.

 

[Thalasso]

Stainless bolts have less strength then steel

read boatguys link

 

[MTboatguy]

When it comes to bolts, some of them in the higher grades are good an strong, but they can also become brittle and snap easier than a lower grade bolt. I learned a ton about strength when my father worked at a machine shop and why sometimes higher grade is not better for the particular job you are working on.

 

[produceguy]

Thank you for the link.The bolts I bought are not on the list. At the bottom of the bolt it reads THE and the other end of the head it reads F5S3C. Maybe its a grade 5?

 

[produceguy]

Their site says its a all purpose grade.

 

[MTboatguy]

I will look at lowes when I go in there to see what it is.

 

[sportrider]

on anything steering or suspension, braking system (I'd throw the tongue in this category) I'd use minimum of grade 8 sae or 10.9 metric.