4x4 Labs Rear Swingout: Tubing Size

[LFD2037]

About to finish up my rear Labs bumper. Doing a long single swingout with spare tire carrier and ladder. Should I use 2x2" sq tubing or 2x3" rectangular tubing for the main swing bar? I don't want it bouncing at all. If 2x2" is sufficient then I'll use it, in 3/16" thickness. If it's not then I'm thinking 2x3" in 3/16" thickness. Also, would 1" round tubing be too small for the ladder, aesthetically speaking? Thanks.

 

[retrofive]

Give Luke a buzz.

 

[Rwhat]

I used 2x2 .250" with 35" mounted high. No bounce or flex. Only the bumper corner flexes. Maybe over kill.

Wheeled with it and ran the race track in DV. No problems. I also ran a gusset on the tube to the spindle housing.

 

[LFD2037]

Give Luke a buzz.

I would but he's always busy as hell.

I used 2x2 .250" with 35" mounted high. No bounce or flex. Only the bumper corner flexes. Maybe over kill.

Wheeled with it and ran the race track in DV. No problems. I also ran a gusset on the tube to the spindle housing.

Is yours a single long swing-out? Pics?

 

[IronCladLou]

Mine's a standard 2x2 single long swing-out with only a spare tire carrier (roughly 90 lbs of tire and wheel). I would say the 2x2 is sufficient. Not much movement of the tire at all (even when wheeling). If you go 2x3, I would consider the taller bearing (more moment loads, potentially) and also the clearance to the tailgate. Orientation of the tube would make a difference, obviously. 2x2x.25 is 5.4 lbs/ft where 2.5 x 2.5 x .188 is 5.6 lbs/ft. You could go to the 2.5" sq tube with a slightly thinner wall and probably gain some strength with no weight penalty.

Just thinking out loud...

 

[pandathrust]

2.5" by 2.5" 1/4" wall square tubing on two labs bumpers now. They both hold heavy 35" and 37" spares and don't bend or flex the shell even with me (190lbs) jumping up and down on it. Also 1" tube is gonna look weird as the ladder, its too small a diameter IMO...

 

[2fpower]

I put 2x3 1/4 wall, as I heard of flex on the supplied 2x2 bar.