16' trailer

[Egon]

Re: 16\' trailer

I think your'e right. The required section modulus is based on either the the first moment of inertia [ shear ] or the second moment of inertia [ bending moment ] whichever is greatest. Then the required material is picked on a cost basis. Hope my memory was right on this.

Egon

 

[RanchMan]

Re: 16\' trailer

I understand your point, which really doesn't seem to contradict the other points made. Perhaps a little more on the technical side, but along the same line of thinking - e.g. all things being equal, a tube is stronger than an angle.

 

[ljh2]

Re: 16\' trailer

Brett,
I agree with all of the statements that for a given size the tube frame is more resistant to the bending moment. I also agree with Egon's assessment that a trailer should be engineered according to a desired LOAD RATING ( 'x' pounds ).

With the required LOAD RATING in mind, the appropriate dimension and thickness of a given material would be selected to meet or exceed the given load rating. The basis for this selection may include many factors, such as construction method, intended use, and cost.

I've seen VERY well constructed trailers with channel frames, and poorly constructed ones with tube frames. The quality of a trailer is as dependent on the design and constuction as it is on the materials from which it is constructed.

You need to evaluate your intended use, cost, and the load rating for the trailer in combination to determine which is better for you.

Larry