Update: Deckover trailer with rusted out frame, what to do

This message is a reply to an archived post by Ken Macfarlane on September 29, 2010 at 13:03:24.
The original subject was "Deckover trailer with rusted out frame, what to do".

Roughly 2 years later I happened onto this thread and thought I would update it.

I've been using the trailer as a farm trailer with an SMV sign on it and staying under 30 mph... ahem. Its been hauling 250 x 50 lb bales on long trips (50 miles) and up to 300 bales in the field but try not to as the high pressure tires sink in badly.

The frame hasn't failed yet despite looking terrible and have fist size holes in the web. The side rails with the extra section of 1" rebar are in great shape are hold it together.

I have the 8" channel now to fix it, just trying to find a day to do it.

Its a great riding trailer when loaded and pulls well with the F350 even though its heavy. I've got to say, a 27 ft bumper pull with a lot of overhang sure gets in driveways easier than a goose, and leaves the bed free for the 60 odd bales we put on the truck.



https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a83710.jpg,https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a83712.jpg

Just thinking the math out, in the 2 years it has delivered about 10 loads of 250 bales and brought in about the same from the field. Its only used in the field when we're short on wagons.

That's 6 ton what is the load limit on those 4 tires. I have a three axle trailer with a load limit of 8.5 ton. My trailer is 19 ft long and has 12 in I beam frame.
I wouldn't haul your trailer unloaded sorry just based on what I see.
Walt

Scrap.

It looks like it was only a wish when built.

it may just be the way the pic was taken, but it looks like a country mile between crossmembers how far is it? that frame looks pretty light duty for that big a trailer, id expect to see main frame rails twice that big under there, and crossmembers closer togeather

The axles and tires are 8000 lb ea. I defiantly won't be putting much more than hay on it. The way the rails are the trailer doesn't bow like you'd think such a light frame would. Helps that it's not a goose. The 8" channel will be something like 4x stiffer. Why would you need 12" I beam on a 19 ft unless it's a tandem dually gn or really light steel?

The x members are widely spaced, it has a 2.25" thick hemlock/tamerack deck with most being 20+ ft long. It's something like 2000 lbs of lumber when it's wet. Then span isn't a problem.

I'm looking for something like that to make a bridge across the creek so I can get to my back part. It might could hold up an ATV, ya' think?

If it were mine and I still had a use for it, I would turn it all the way over. You can unbolt the springs or cut then loose, lift axles and all off with the loader. Cut the channel loose from the brackets and lay in new channel. I would use an inch or three heaver channel though. You would have to crib under the upside down deck so it didn't sag at the cross members.

Exactly what is planned. 40 ft of 8" channel is sitting on the steel rack.

What do you have to replace the scrawny crossmembers?

Not planning to. The trailer wouldn't be worth fixing if I had to cut them all out right now. They are 1/4" thick at least.

Our neighbour has a commercial hay wagon that we put 300 bales on, 20 ft long, its cross members are only light gauge sheet metal tubing with light gauge angle iron around the perimeter. The frame is 5" and spans the running gear that is set at 16 ft no problems.

I'm not loaded tractors on this trailer, hay only.