Trailer Build

LindenLongRods

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 10, 2007
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192
I have some 2" x 2" Aluminum square tube 1/8" thick I want to use for a trailer for my 14' boat. The box part with the Leaf Springs and axle are steel. I want to bolt 3 pieces of aluminum for the tougue and supports. Kind of like the trailer pictured. Opinions?trailer_plan_16FB_1024x1024@2x_LI.jpg
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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typical 2x2 aluminum rectangular tube wont be strong enough for what you are intending. my guess is you will have fatigue cracks in a very short period of time.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Most aluminum trailers for a 14' boat are 3" heavy channel or 3" w-beam with a 3" square or 3x5 rectangular center beam (usually 1/4" web) As you go up in size of boat you go up in size on the materials
 

LindenLongRods

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 10, 2007
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192
I kind of ask this question before, but to clarify. If I want to make a trailer like this to carry my 14 Mirrocraft rowboat and motor and the highlighted piece is 12 foot, what should I use aluminum (3" x 3" x 1/4) or 3" x 5" x 1/4 ? or go with steel? Thanks for your patiencedownload (1).jpg
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,..... If the rest of the trailer is steel, I'd use a 3x3" piece of steel,.....

If thev rest of thev trailer is aluminum, I'd use 3x3 aluminum,.....

Yer boat is fairly small, so I don't see a need for 4x3",....
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
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Jun 26, 2011
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Certainly not trying to start any argument, but merely offering my $00.02 cents worth. I actually took a very destroyed trailer, I bought in boat engine and trailer package deal and 100% completely rebuilt it everything including the trailer. I would never try to mix structural components like aluminum and steel for the trailering frame. I would stay with steel and go from there. I will admit, I did use very heavy diamond plate for the side steps, but absolute steel for the trailer frame and anything I needed to support and hold and support the boat.
If you care to see that rebuild, click on the trailer link below and take a look. I have to say, I really enjoyed making this trailer for my project boat. It is light-years ahead of what I started out with. May offer you some ideas. IDK JMHO
 

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
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When a company builds trailers, they have some kind of Structural Engineer do the design and set the specs. When the rest of us buy old crap and modify it we are merely hoping for the best.

I'm an Engineer by profession, so I speak with at least a little bit of experience. No matter how well you build it or how well it is designed, have an accident and the other guy's attorney will tear you to threads.
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
When a company builds trailers, they have some kind of Structural Engineer do the design and set the specs. When the rest of us buy old crap and modify it we are merely hoping for the best.

I'm an Engineer by profession, so I speak with at least a little bit of experience. No matter how well you build it or how well it is designed, have an accident and the other guy's attorney will tear you to threads.
I kind of understand what you are trying to say, but I certainly wouldn't go as far as say trailer manufacturers have engineers designing their trailers. I find that all most laughable. Have you actually seen any trailer manufacturer places? I have. Not as "engineered" as you would think. They are building for profit and not strength. And people that buy used trailers and up upgrade them are no more at any issue then buying a trailer new. Since trailers, even home built trailers, have to be certified via state patrol or the like to be declared street worthy, I see no integrity or responsibility issues then any new trailers. Insurance companies, if home built trailers were real problems, would either not sell you insurance OR have a person view the trailer and certify it. I actually have such a "home built trailer" and did have a state patrol inspect it. And I would certainly put it up against any new trailer, of the same class, any day of the week. JMHO
 

JimS123

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Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,165
I kind of understand what you are trying to say, but I certainly wouldn't go as far as say trailer manufacturers have engineers designing their trailers. I find that all most laughable. Have you actually seen any trailer manufacturer places? I have. Not as "engineered" as you would think. They are building for profit and not strength. And people that buy used trailers and up upgrade them are no more at any issue then buying a trailer new. Since trailers, even home built trailers, have to be certified via state patrol or the like to be declared street worthy, I see no integrity or responsibility issues then any new trailers. Insurance companies, if home built trailers were real problems, would either not sell you insurance OR have a person view the trailer and certify it. I actually have such a "home built trailer" and did have a state patrol inspect it. And I would certainly put it up against any new trailer, of the same class, any day of the week. JMHO
And we value your opinion of course. Nevertheless, my experience has been different. Of course, I have only dealt with nationally advertised trailer manufacturers, not Bubba in East Podunk that sells trailers out of a warehouse with non-certified welders.

If a manufacturer has no Engineer on site, then shame on him. It would NOT be laughable if they did not, it would be reason to shop elsewhere. Motor Vehicle certification is no simple task, but then again some states have Bubba as the registrar.

In my state, Home Built trailers are ones that had no paperwork, but still were quality units.

Irregardless, its all just opinionated banter.
 

LindenLongRods

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 10, 2007
Messages
192
Certainly not trying to start any argument, but merely offering my $00.02 cents worth. I actually took a very destroyed trailer, I bought in boat engine and trailer package deal and 100% completely rebuilt it everything including the trailer. I would never try to mix structural components like aluminum and steel for the trailering frame. I would stay with steel and go from there. I will admit, I did use very heavy diamond plate for the side steps, but absolute steel for the trailer frame and anything I needed to support and hold and support the boat.
If you care to see that rebuild, click on the trailer link below and take a look. I have to say, I really enjoyed making this trailer for my project boat. It is light-years ahead of what I started out with. May offer you some ideas. IDK JMHO
Wow great job. I am staying with steel. I like how you did the runners
 
Last edited:

matt167

Rear Admiral
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Sep 27, 2012
Messages
4,151
I would price a new trailer before building anything.. I got a 2021 Venture VB1300 which would fit your boat, new from a dealer for under $1,000 OTD, to replace an old Holesclaw that's had it's day. I guarantee there are similar deals out there, if I found one

Axles, tires and steel that you don't have will add up, and becomes how much is your time worth. I would think build cost would be around $600
 

LindenLongRods

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 10, 2007
Messages
192
I would price a new trailer before building anything.. I got a 2021 Venture VB1300 which would fit your boat, new from a dealer for under $1,000 OTD, to replace an old Holesclaw that's had it's day. I guarantee there are similar deals out there, if I found one

Axles, tires and steel that you don't have will add up, and becomes how much is your time worth. I would think build cost would be around $600
So far I'm in for $80 new axle , Bearings $25. Bigger tires $35 I've flipped a couple other trailers so they offset the money.
 
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