A "little" project I just did.

[Mark @ Everlast]

There are a lot of trailers riding around built this way. I've seen all types of construction on these trailers. Some are better than others, and the cheap ones, well, lets just say the plywood in the floor and wall is designed it seems, to hold them together.

 

[brain55]

I sure hope my custom built Wells Cargo 28' enclosed gooseneck is better built than this one.

Brian

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Wells Cargo bought out HaulMark I think. I would definitely look at the underside. Ask them if they use Z channel...

 

[paul dyar]

And some on Welding Web gets all upset about someone building their own trailer. Its is the same with electrical, plumbing, etc. you don't know who is doing the work most of them are working under someone else's license.

Paul

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Most all of these companies have an "engineer" that is supposedly qualified. But if the engineer isn't experienced from a practical standpoint, a lot of problems like this occur. I do know that this is a problem design(they had one in for repair over at the factory while we were doing this one). But some of the other designs I have seen are future nightmares as well. But the trailer survived 5 years....which is past their 3 year warranty. So, someone might be able to argue, it lasted its expected lifespan. But for 53k, it should last 20 years or more in my book.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Mark

As the owner of 2 enclosed trailers( 24' & 28') you have me worried. Is this somthing that can be seen from under the trailer? Both of mine are Haulmarks.
Bill

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Yes,
You should be able to see from underneath.

Some trailers use solid tubing all the way around...that's good.
Others use angle iron...that's ok.

But Z or formed channel (not channel iron) might be a problem.( depending upon where they used them. Cross members only is not so bad if they are well welded, but for perimeter framing, it isn't what I'd consider very good...though I am sure the engineers thought it was good when they built the trailer too.

I'd look closely for missed welds, poor welds and areas where they just aren't joined up. As you might be able to see, the cross members to the outside wall weren't even welded down the side or at the bottom.

HaulMark always had a name fore being a little better than the rest....But I have friends that worked over there....so I know some did a good job and others just turned them out as fast as they could.

Most of these guys are paid piecework in teams so each trailer is paid a certain amount and the money is divided between the "team members".

 

[EuropaChris]

There are a lot of trailers riding around built this way. I've seen all types of construction on these trailers. Some are better than others, and the cheap ones, well, lets just say the plywood in the floor and wall is designed it seems, to hold them together.

Same as the RV business - I worked for a company that had a division that supplied parts for RV makers around the country, but most were in the Mishawaka, IN area. Most RV trailers, and even Class A motorhomes, are just stapled and glued together on the same sort of flimsy tack-welded "chassis" as in your pics.

I suppose for the occasional use as an RV it might be OK, but not for "professional" hauling on a daily basis.

Chris

 

[wdchyd]

Most RV trailers, and even Class A motorhomes, are just stapled and glued together on the same sort of flimsy tack-welded "chassis" as in your pics.


Chris

Yeow, That's Scary!!!!

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I got good news and bad news.

Good news. I have more pictures.

Bad news. They are not very good and someone forgot to take the final ones.:ashamed: Not me though...That wasn't my assignment.

But I think you can see it to almost the end. The rear left side is where we started. Rear right side is the end.

For the left side, the "lip" of the Z channel had to be cut way and angle iron was welded back in. At the rear, the Z channel had the lip cut off with a plasma cutter and then finished the lighter stuff with a reciprocating saw. Most of it at the rear was super thin piece of formed angle tacked to the Z channel on the dove tail to provide the down slope. Where it reached the top, it transisitioned to the regular top lip of the Z channel. The angle iron was replaced and used the entire length down the trailer. It was welded at the top full length in front of the wheels. Gussets were placed every 4th member as well as tacking the underside of the angle...more than tacking really. This type of tacking was done to continue to allow some flexibility of the frame. My concern was that overly stiffening the frame would create weak spots elsewhere, especially in the unknown ceiling. We consulted a factory "engineer" from another factory with considerable experience. He said it was a sound idea.

Instead of removing the lip on the otherside, since it was mostly intact, we turned the angle the other direction with the leg turned up. Gussets were placed in the same points as the opposite side.