Aluminum trailer modification

[cweidert03]

I recently bought a 7"x 22" aluminum trailer with wood deck. It is a car hauler with 2' dovetail. The trailer is built out of aluminum rectangular box. I bought this primarily to haul Atv for our trips we take. I would like to add additional width in a few areas to be able to load some UTVs sideways. I was thinking of just bolting some aluminum angle that has a 6" leg to the areas I would like increased width. My question is will drilling holes in the trailer weaken the structural integrity of it? Will the angle be strong enough to hold the UTV



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[kd3pc]

assuming you mean 7x22 Feet

Drilling an AL trailer can weaken it, if not properly sized, bolted and bracketed. Especially box tubing, as your bolts will want to "crush" the box to get things tight.

you would be better served putting an AL plate across the width to get your extra foot of support. SImply attaching 6" legs, unless fully welded and bracketed/gusseted - will fail rather quickly or sooner if a lot of weight is placed on them alone, as you load.

Keep in mind some areas want less than 8ft 6inch wide trailers anyway.

 

[cweidert03]

Well 6" on either side wouldn't make it hang out past the wheel well anyway. I was looking at the simplest way to do it! But I think 3/8 or 1/2 angle would be plenty strong to hold. I think I will just get the angle welded to the trailer instead of bolting.


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[matt_i]

You can also drill and tap holes but have to be cautious about where they are placed. Also its a good rule of thumb to have 2 diameters worth of thread engagement into aluminum (steel & ci = 1 dia) and so that might limit your fastener size.

 

[beakie]

crazy idea here, but why not just have some 12" wide boards that span the wheel base for occasional use?

I read that the additional width is only for if/when loading some sideways.
if so, how many? would keeping 8' long 5/4 white oak boards 1' wide available be trouble?
predrill bolts to keep each board in place, wouldn't even need to bolt them, just pins would suffice once the UTV's are strapped down.

otherwise anything welded/bolted/etc on the edge will be supporting most of the weight, unless you tie it into the decking anyway. I'd trust a cantilevered support hanging over 6", over angle welded and now supporting all that weight.

 

[cweidert03]

crazy idea here, but why not just have some 12" wide boards that span the wheel base for occasional use?



I read that the additional width is only for if/when loading some sideways.

if so, how many? would keeping 8' long 5/4 white oak boards 1' wide available be trouble?

predrill bolts to keep each board in place, wouldn't even need to bolt them, just pins would suffice once the UTV's are strapped down.



otherwise anything welded/bolted/etc on the edge will be supporting most of the weight, unless you tie it into the decking anyway. I'd trust a cantilevered support hanging over 6", over angle welded and now supporting all that weight.

I actually was discussing that with someone today. I will get a couple 2x8 boards that are 8 ft long and can bolt them down as needed. After pricing aluminum angle and the rare instance I would need more room I decided it's not worth the hassle!

Thanks for the reply


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[Ruthless53]

I actually was discussing that with someone today. I will get a couple 2x8 boards that are 8 ft long and can bolt them down as needed. After pricing aluminum angle and the rare instance I would need more room I decided it's not worth the hassle!

Thanks for the reply


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Cut a 4x6 to the width of all the boards side by side, **** it up to the trailer on the bottom of the boards and screw/bolt it to the boards but not the trailer. That way the downward force will be pushing into the trailer as well instead of having the space underneath for them to flex.

It may not be "necessary" but I'm all for over prepping especially when on the road.