Trailer Deck Strengthening

[Doubled33]

For reference this is a 40k tilt deck gooseneck trailer. 40 foot overall deck with the rear 25’ tilting and the front 15’ fixed.

In the attached pictures you can see where the channel was notched so it would allow the deck to sit flat on the w section below.

By notching the channel the bottom toe of the channel is gone and they weakened it in the downward bending axis. Under the load of my telehandler it has developed a slight buckle and deflected around 1/2 inch over about 2’.

Is the fix to plate the back side of the channel with a plate or does it need a horizontal “fin” welded to it above the notch to emulate the channel toe that was cut off? Perhaps an angle toe down and welded all around?

Top may be a challenge to weld on anything other than a plate.

Material thickness of reinforcing? Same or greater than base metal?

 

[jack stand]

The first thing that comes to mind is welding a 3/8 2-3" angle across the gap while contacting the beam it's notched around.

 

[Doubled33]

The first thing that comes to mind is welding a 3/8 2-3" angle across the gap while contacting the beam it's notched around.

I like this idea. I would have to see how well I can weld the top.

I could only get about 4” past on one side but could get pretty far on the other side of the notch.

Might as well do both sides before the other one bends.

 

[Sumboodie]

Add crossmembers

 

[Doubled33]

Add crossmembers

I did not even think of this. They are spaced 16” but could put one closer. Very good thought.

 

[firebirdparts]

There must be a reason they did that, but it seems horrible. To cut the webs of every beam to get that a half inch lower. Seems horrible.

Anyway, angle iron has the right geometry to improve it, but as you say, you gotta get to it.

 

[Doubled33]

There must be a reason they did that, but it seems horrible. To cut the webs of every beam to get that a half inch lower. Seems horrible.

Anyway, angle iron has the right geometry to improve it, but as you say, you gotta get to it.

I see why they did it but yeah not a great idea.

Just at the end of the flat deck is the only place they did it.

They did not skimp anywhere else. Two hydraulic cylinders, heavy beams. The trailer weights 13k.

 

[jack stand]

Do you know if you bent it or did it come this way and was bent by the previous owner?
I'm aware of the weight of a telehandler, but only one wheel is rolling over this spot and lands on the stationary portion within inches of passing over the bent area.
I'm wondering if something got dropped right on/at that point. Simply loading your machine doesn't seem like it should a problem and the fact that the opposite side isn't damaged but gets exactly the same load....
A trailer is one thing that I wouldn't want to be reincarnated as!

 

[Doubled33]

Do you know if you bent it or did it come this way and was bent by the previous owner?
I'm aware of the weight of a telehandler, but only one wheel is rolling over this spot and lands on the stationary portion within inches of passing over the bent area.
I'm wondering if something got dropped right on/at that point. Simply loading your machine doesn't seem like it should a problem and the fact that the opposite side isn't damaged but gets exactly the same load....
A trailer is one thing that I wouldn't want to be reincarnated as!

I am the one that bent it. It actually used to align. It was loaded backwards so the rear tire was sitting at the end of the 2’ cantilever plus the weight of the counterweight is on that end. It is About a 23k JLG.