ATV Trailer build

[handirifle]

OK made a bit more progress today. Got the ball coupler welded in place, stuck a coat of paint on it (black) to match the tongue. Then I welded the brackets on for the end panels, and sprayed the first coat of orange on it. I got all but the back rail, and will need to hoist it for that. I am going to do that at the second coating. Then I will be able to lift it and lower and walk around as desired.

Tomorrow, church, and probably Monday for the second coat. I checked on some steel prices and the galvanized come in 4x10 sheets. Way more than I need. If I have this one shop bend it, the sheet metal will cost more than the whole trailer has so far. That's not good. I am considering making my own sheet metal brake to do the body work. Still figuring on that one. The shop wants $105 an hr for their work, with $45 min. They charge the same just to CUT it. I do not have a good way to cut a piece of steel that long.

Got to go back to the thinking room on this part of it. Money might prohibit me from doing what I had hoped. My only hope would be to find scrap pieces big enough, and real cheap.

Craigs List.

 

[Oldpath05]

I thought sheet metal came in 4 x 8 ft. If you have a skill-saw get a carbide blade for cutting sheet metal and a straight edge. Getting a good bend on 16 ga. 5 ft. long wont be easy, be interesting how you do it. You could cut it to fit, then weld it back together, it's more work, 16 ga. galvanize is weldable, sand it first, then tack, then weld back step with .023 wire, 3-4 in. at a time, but weld will rust if not painted and a grinder fixes everything.

 

[handirifle]

Well welding and painting is exactly what I want to avoid. The trailer is 4ft long, but that's still pretty long. If I build a brake it would be with 3x3x1/4 reinforced angle, but I am reviewing my thoughts on sheet metal. It is still my number one choice for the bed though. I am considering lumber though, just not sure. If I had planned on lumber from the start I would have added more braces in the upper section.

I am considering lumber on the bottom, and metal on the sides.

The skill saw would leave a nasty jagged edge on sheet metal. I have metal shears but that is a long cut.

I just got off the phone with my generous neighbor, and he offered me any metals I need, that he might have, so I have to go take a look. He is in Oregon right no so I will look on my own. I gotta say I have some very generous neighbors.

I am seeing, on craigs list, some of the heavier materials I might use for a brake, so I will see. This might work out yet.

 

[handirifle]

I thought sheet metal came in 4 x 8 ft. If you have a skill-saw get a carbide blade for cutting sheet metal and a straight edge. Getting a good bend on 16 ga. 5 ft. long wont be easy, be interesting how you do it. You could cut it to fit, then weld it back together, it's more work, 16 ga. galvanize is weldable, sand it first, then tack, then weld back step with .023 wire, 3-4 in. at a time, but weld will rust if not painted and a grinder fixes everything.

The zinc coated does, but their galvanized, they said, came in 4x10. No idea why.

 

[Xfaxman]

The zinc coated does, but their galvanized, they said, came in 4x10. No idea why.

??? What is the difference?

Here is the definition: galvanizing, is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, to prevent rusting. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, in which parts are submerged in a bath of molten zinc.

Galvanized roofing panels can be 4'x10', maybe this is what they meant.

 

[handirifle]

Except I am going for smooth sheets, but I didn't ask why 10ft instead of 8.

If I cannot get metal prices where I want them, I might go with boards on the floor, and metal on the sides, and build some sort of brake to do what I need.

 

[Jim Timber]

Build the panels out of marine grade plywood, and skin it with aluminum flashing?

 

[Oldpath05]

Painted wood or plywood will last quite a while, might be wee bit heavier though depends if you use heavy paint or light paint

 

[handirifle]

Maybe I was confusing NON coated and zinc. My mistake. It was the non coated that was 4x8, sorry bout that.

Yea I was TRYING to avoid the wood, especially on the sides. If I cannot get sheet metal, like I want, I was kinda thinking some sort of planking on the bottom. I do not want 2x lumber though, too much space loss. I don't think anyone sells 1x treated, around here. I wonder if I could rip 2x4 treated, and put the treated side up? Would then coat it with some sort of acrylic to seal all the holes from the treating.

Would HAVE to be light paint

 

[Oldpath05]

Maybe I was confusing NON coated and zinc. My mistake. It was the non coated that was 4x8, sorry bout that.

Yea I was TRYING to avoid the wood, especially on the sides. If I cannot get sheet metal, like I want, I was kinda thinking some sort of planking on the bottom. I do not want 2x lumber though, too much space loss. I don't think anyone sells 1x treated, around here. I wonder if I could rip 2x4 treated, and put the treated side up? Would then coat it with some sort of acrylic to seal all the holes from the treating.

Would HAVE to be light paint

Treated 2x6=1-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches so if you had or know somebody with a shop planner, it would be quick to shave off 1/2" or you could stop by my house on your back from the HD store and I'll do it cheap, the cost of gas might be high though.