Strengthen Caravans and Trailers
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 02:28
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Member - Marc Luther B (WA)
Hi All
As someone who has a little knowledge with steel and the like, I thought I would submit this information.
On several occasions this year I had to repair the A Frames on trailers and caravans for people, yet this breakage and damage can be so easily avoided. If people are planning to travel rough and / or corrugated roads, it is simple to get a piece of angle line, preferable 75 mm (3"), and cut it with angles to slot in about half way between the trailer brake handle and the trailer cross member, (front frame).
Drill two holes in each end and fit it with bolts, nuts and washers into the A Frame, do NOT weld it in, and I strongly recommend double nut and lock tite to secure the angle line in. This way when the A Frame weld starts to fracture, which inevitably happens on really bad roads, the angle line WILL hold your trailer / caravan secure, and you will not be stuck somewhere waiting for help, or leaving your trailer behind.
The second method is to place some sheet steel adjacent to the brake handle, under the A Frame, and again, bolt it into position. This will prevent any separation of the A Frame join, and is a cheap and easy method of avoiding problems on bad roads.
Just a copuple of suggestions for people to think about.
Cheers
Reply By: snapper49 - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 10:18
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 10:18
I am a boilermaker/welder with many years experience working in and with structural steel work also a reired lecturer from Tafe
A lot of van manufacturers nowadays dont under truss the A frames
They should all be under trussed
Personally I wouldnt recomend drilling any holes in the existing A frame
I would recomend taking the van to structural steel fabricating place if you cant manage your self and getting some truss work done on the Aframe starting at the brake lever and continuing on under the front of the van to the end of the A frame
The truss can be made from pipe and flat bar or just flat
There are plenty of examples around just have a look
AnswerID:
437866
Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Tuesday, Dec 07, 2010 at 06:40
Tuesday, Dec 07, 2010 at 06:40
Hi Snapper49
Good to know a fellow boily. Unfortunately these days nearly 50% (or even more) of trailers and caravans are not under trussed. I did this thread so that perhaps people will look at what they have, and get them under trussed or do it themselves, as it is so simple, and avoids so many problems.
I see no problem with drilling the existing A Frame, obviously not too close to the edge, and only sufficient for the bolts being used. I have done it many times and have never had a problem.
Cheers
FollowupID:
709702
Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 14:37
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 14:37
if you have concerns about welding to the existing chassis you could use "U" bolts, the same as is used to fix the axel to
the springs .....
Marcs point is that something is better than nothing as i also have seen a lot of cracked chassis on trailers, remember more often than not the contents on and in the trailer are worth far more than the bare trailer so it is
well worth a thought ......
It is simple to do, say the existing "A" frame is 50mm wide, all you need is maybe 2 x 1.5M long bits of 50mm x 50mm box "section", (i think you could even get it from Bunnings) and go to a trailer place and get "U" bolts and base plates long enough to bolt up the 2 peices ...... example is "A" frame is 50mm x 50mm box and the bit you buy is 50 x 50 so you need it to bolt togeather 100mm of steel and have some more for the thread and nuts to tighten up on, around 125mm, also go "Nylock" nuts if possible and dont do them very tight, no need to be.....
I would use 4 bolts on each peice ......
Good luck
AnswerID:
437891
Follow Up By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 14:41
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 14:41
should point out that i means you dont have to weld or drill the chassis, if the "A" frame up under the trailer is hard up against the floor, drill holes for the "U" bolts in the PLATE floor and insert bolts "down", threads underside, still no need to drill the chassis .... seal any gaps with silicone
FollowupID:
709482
Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Tuesday, Dec 07, 2010 at 06:45
Tuesday, Dec 07, 2010 at 06:45
Hi Joe n Mel n Kids
I do like what you are suggesting, and that would work beautifully.
Cheers
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709705