1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

trailer frame thickness

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by givemethewillys, Oct 22, 2012.

  1. Oct 22, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    Hey guys, A few months back I bought a Spen S-model trailer, and have been slowly tearing it down and fixing its issues. One of the main problems that I've come upon is that there are a few rotten sections in the frame, so I've made the decision to replace the frame with new steel rather than just splice in repair panels.

    Does anyone know offhand how thick the c-channel on these trailers is? I don't have calipers to measure and I would hate to order c-channel that is too thin. I already talked to a fabricator and have a quote to bend 1/8 steel to my specifications. I was thinking about ordering thicker steel, however, since the trailer will see heavy use. What does everyone think?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Oct 22, 2012
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
  3. Oct 22, 2012
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    How bad are the holes? I can weld the frame and fix issues.
     
  4. Oct 22, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    The spen frame is bent sheet metal as well, looks like 1/8" but I need to buy a set of calipers to verify. It looks exactly like the bantam t3-c frame to my untrained eyes, including the fact that the tub is welded to the frame.

    Jeff, the legs of the c-channel are completely missing on both sides of the frame rail where the front edge of the trailer would hold water. The rest of the frame has quite a bit of rust and scale. I'm thinking the best bet would be to just replace all the parts with fresh metal.
     
  5. Oct 22, 2012
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Yeah new frame time.
     
  6. Oct 22, 2012
    njranger

    njranger Sponsor

    Just Beyond...
    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2007
    Messages:
    113
    The frame on my BT3-C was 1/8" stock. I planned on doing a new one out of 3/16" from the steel yard, but once I bought the stuff I realized that it was going to be way heavy. I ended up finding another frame from a guy over on G503 and had it shipped via Greyhound.
     
  7. Oct 23, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    Hey guys, so I finally coughed up the dough for a set of dial calipers, and it turns out that the trailer measures .150 thick, which is roughly 9 gauge. I think 1/8in stock measures slightly thinner at 11 gauge. I wonder if the slightly thicker frame material in the Spen trailer is one of the features of the higher cargo capacity. I'm thinking that I might just go way overkill and get new frame pieces made in 3/16. Hopefully the cost wont make it prohibitive!
     
  8. Oct 24, 2012
    njranger

    njranger Sponsor

    Just Beyond...
    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2007
    Messages:
    113
    When I bought the 3/16" stock it was around $125.00. I think I paid $200 and change for the cherry frame plus shipping. I'd seriously post a WTB over on G503 and the trailer section of the cj2apage to see what turns up.
     
  9. Oct 24, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    The shop priced my $125 for all of the steel in 7 gauge to replace the trailer frame. For this price it was already bent into c-channel and cut to length. They are charging another $100 to weld it up for me. Once it's done, it should be stronger than new and last at least another 50 years!
     
  10. Oct 24, 2012
    njranger

    njranger Sponsor

    Just Beyond...
    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2007
    Messages:
    113
    Deal! Nice to see reasonable prices for fab work. My local guy's brake is too big to do the smaller stuff. Congrats!
     
  11. Oct 24, 2012
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Wait where are you getting the metal?
     
  12. Dec 21, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    I got it prebent at a place called "specialty's our name" in Hanover airpark. It should last forever!
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2012
  13. Dec 21, 2012
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Seriously I need to move over there. That area has literally everything. I am tired of having to drive up 288, down 295 and up 95 just to get anything done.
     
  14. Dec 21, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    You would have loved this place. Their setup is the size of a small warehouse and they have some awesome equipment! I really liked the 100 ton press break, huge!
     
  15. Dec 21, 2012
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Aww man I want to see I want to see. Maybe I should turn Chia into a 6, since I still can, just need some frame extensions and body extensions.
    And a great brewery nearby. Center Of the Universe does some good beer.
     
  16. Dec 22, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    Don't do it..... project creep!!!!!! Just get it on the road so we could all go out wheeling at the GWNF this summer :) We'll be out there a few times, towing the spen!
     
  17. Dec 22, 2012
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Well while I don't have a floor in the Jeep I might as well.... Famous last words.
     
  18. Jan 1, 2013
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    Might as well :) There's a cj6 frame and drivetrain for sale on craigslist right now, you'd just have to do the bodywork!
     
New Posts