ATV Trailer build

[handirifle]

This is where I want them to go. Sorry about the squiggly lines but it's gets the idea across. Am going to use the same 1x2 .090 tubing for the braces. I don't think the axles will flex much when done.

 

[handirifle]

This is where I want them to go. Sorry about the squiggly lines but it's gets the idea across. Am going to use the same 1x2 .090 tubing for the braces. I don't think the axles will flex much when done.

 

[handirifle]

Would it be strong enough if I came from the a 90 deg angle off the cross brace instead of the corner? That would be a heck of a lot easier to cut.

 

[Jim Timber]

Only thing better than triangles is pyramids. I'd make the compound cuts myself.

 

[GLyford]

I hate the slag cleanup

Have you tried coating where you will be welding with nonstick cooking spray? ("Pam" and its generic equivalents)

There are also commercial products made just for this, but the cooking spray seems to work for many people and is cheaper and easier to find.

 

[handirifle]

LOL never heard of that. Does it keep the stuff from sticking?

 

[handirifle]

Only thing better than triangles is pyramids. I'd make the compound cuts myself.

Not gonna make this easy huh? King Tut here I come! Gotta make a Dr visit this AM, then get some supplies. I ordered the ball coupler, since no one within driving distance carries that size, so I will get all I can to complete it up to that part. I have a hard time getting rid of some stuff, especially metal, and a couple years ago I changed out my small boat trailer from 1 7/8 to 2", but did I keep the old one?? Noooo of course not.

 

[Jim Timber]

Cooking spray is just as good as anti-spatter spray sold for welding, but way cheaper.

When you fit up your braces, make them guide anything under the axle stubs or towards the open center. You want it to be smooth so the trailer rides over anything it might encounter instead of catching on it.

 

[handirifle]

Got it.

 

[handirifle]

OK made some more progress today. I gotta say those compound bevels are a PITA. I cut them by hand, since there is no way this brain was going to calculate how to do it otherwise.

Here's one side

And here's the other

This is how the end of the axle stubs looked. I later ran a small bead where the braces join the axle stub, mostly to keep water out, since structurally the axle isn't going anywhere.

Looking down from above. This is what you'd see if the bed were removed.

This is it in tilt mode.One thing that came back to me AFTER I had one side welded up. NOW I know why I had my self talked into just running the braces straight out from the frame, instead of angled, like I ended up doing them. When I went to dump the bed, the braces hit the tongue braces, preventing full motion. Jim this is all your fault........ Just kidding. The logic of strength was good, but I needed to move the braces outboard about 1/2" for clearance. Sooooo, the grinder became my friend. I have almost full range now, but need a little more trimming. I grind off the corners where they meet. I actually got to thinking I will grind a little more and am might put some stops on the braces to save my paint later.

I did some more research on MIG welding and watched some more videos, and got a bit more education. I tried what I learned and got better results than I had before. I still have about 5-6lbs left on my solid wire spool, so when I can get some gas I will try to build something using only MIG.