Trailer Lid Questions (1 Viewer)

[Brentbba]

Ok - working with a fabricator and swampman's design.

He's going to quote 12ga and 16ga steel for the lid.

Says because of the design that he can't make it from one piece. One of swampman's posts on his build does say the top was bent from one piece.

Assuming that can't be done and a seam is necessary - run it lenghwise or width of the trailer...or look for a fab shop that can make the top piece (not ends of course) from a single sheet?

 

[swampman]

it shouldnt be hard to find a shop to do it in one piece , but if i had to i would do it length wise and run 2 supports underneath instead of 1,

 

[Black Oxx]

We played with the up an down measurement to make the one piece idea work. I agree with the length and double center support. Push to make it one piece for weather purpose use. Leaks stink!

 

[swampman]

either way a seam is gonna suck , welding a seam 4ft long or more and not warping it, is gonna be tough,

 

[kilo]

I had to do my lid out of two as well. They couldn't find any sheets big enough around town with out ordering and spending more cash for one big sheet. They welded down each side and looks great to me.

 

[Brentbba]

Well, quote back from the shop for 12ga steel and bends was about $500 - way to pricey.

Kilo - can't even tell where your seams are?

As much as I like the lid that mirrors the tub, I've got a quote of $420 for a plan flat lid with 1x2" steel for the frame.

 

[swampman]

my lid was bent and shipped to my buddies garage overnight , it was 230 bucks . all we had to do was weld the ends,racks and hinges ,
i cant believe everybuddy has such a hard time finding a fab shop to do this ,

 

[Splittilps]

Mine cost 250 and I also had to weld the ends and put the hinges on. Its 12ga steel.

Cheers

 

[Brentbba]

I hate you Canucks! Damn - half the price of SoCal. Price is going to force me to a flat lid.

 

[e9999]

this is California, everybody here is rich...

 

[Brentbba]

this is California, everybody here is rich...

Maybe you are professor. I'm just a working stiff spending all my money on a mortgage...ok and a golf club membership...and a truck addiction.

 

[e9999]

you don't get it, if they say we're rich they can now tax us much more, see...?

Well, FWIW, at least since everybody is rich in my town evidently, I got some free clubs on CL...

Anyway, for Tech: for $500 you could buy 2 big used Knaacks that would fill the trailer up and come with their own lids! I'm thinking about it... Bit heavy though.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

Whats the width of your trailer outside to outside and length?

 

[Brentbba]

Whats the width of your trailer outside to outside and length?

74 1/4" x 48 1/4"

 

[burnttoastburgos]

you give me the exact dimensions (width, length, height) or engineered prints, including where you want your angles and i will bend your lid, all one sheet, with only the front and rear face welded, and powder coated, your choice of color, and will ship!! Let Me Know.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

Forgot, if you'd like it in Aluminum or Stainless, we can do that as well. Once i finish my 40 build, I plan to start a matching trailer build. Most likely will go with aluminum frame, steel box and aluminum lid on torsion suspension.

 

[Brentbba]

Wouldn't shipping from Colorado be a killer?

I'd prefer aluminum for the weight savings, but steel is going to be a less expensive material. I'll forward you a drawing from swampman tho.

 

[burnttoastburgos]

This is the way i approach it.

how long am i going to own and use the item: ie} is it worth the extra coupla bucks?
can i pack more knowing the alum to steel weight ratio is substancially less?

I'll ponder for a while, and usually justify my choice with the two above questions.

To me, i would rather live with the extra money i spent knowing i spent it on what i WANTED and suited my needs vs. feeling like a penny pincher and wishing i should've gone the extra mile and done it right.

Weight difference:
1/8" Aluminum = 1.76lbs per sq.'
12 gauge steel = 4.375lbs per sq.'

Based on the measurements you'll need approx 45 sq.' to complete lid plus tubing for frame, gas struts, gasket material and hinges and powdercoating.

Square footage breakdown:
25' for lid,
12' for sides with 8" rise less bends,
8' for front and rear of lid

As for shipping, they've got us all over the barrel, commercial address will always be cheaper.

If you check out my build on the 40, you see i do not cut any corners to satisfy my wallet. Let me know

 

[Brentbba]

Checked out your build post - very nice.