Short tongues affect both driveability and stability, including back up, turning radius and jack-knife susceptibility. Please enter the name by which you would like to log-in and be known on this site. 9. Oh, and we recommend that you measure everything. Thanks for the comments Rob. Gussets are metal plates that connect two pieces of metal at an angle. Steel flat bar (2" x 1/4" or similar) stitch welded . Both are needs to strengthen a trailer frame, but the approaches are different. How to Reinforce a Trailer Tongue A properly functioning trailer tongue is vital to towing a trailer. Join Date: Jun 2012. See below for information on tongue bracing. Fixed length tongues are the most common and account for probably 95% of all trailers built. It is used to reinforce lap joints and T joints. The frame is sitting up-side-down.). Crossmembers are horizontal members that connect the side rails of a frame. The type of coupler you choose for your trailer can affect the overall strength of the trailer tongue and chassis. This is a little overkill in some respects, but its got to be the cleanest connection for an adjustable hitch that I have ever seen. No chains in the way. Meet the "Winching Pole". Ill let you research that. Build a Great Trailer with Engineered Blueprints that have the design principles. The SUPER HITCH Magnum 30K is rated at 3,000 lbs tongue weight, 30,000 lbs pull with weight distribution and 20,000 lbs pull and 2,500 lbs tongue weight carrying. Interestingly, it appears folding trailers from Northern Tool are also not available at time of this writing. A properly functioning trailer tongue is key to safe travels while hauling a trailer behind your vehicle. One of the drawbacks of an "A" frame coupler is the compromise you have to make regarding the length of the tongue forward of the chassis and the amount of support the tongue gives to the chassis. Your email address will not be published. This blog post will share tips on reinforcing a trailer tongue and some common indicators that it may need reinforcement. It is because welding can distort the axle housing and cause the axle to bind. It also allows you to really make sure the hitch point is central to the trailer frame. These are sometimes called torque tubes because they carry torque from one main side frame rail to the other. Examine the frame main beams and cross members for rust. Look atwelded joints and be comfortable that welds are sufficient. Often automotive tires will give a wider range of options, a better ride, and track better. Fully Engineered. This is especially true for those who are new to gardening or just starting to explore different varieties. A hitches towing capacity is not increased . (See the image.) Thicker plywood will give more stiffness. I just ran outside to take some pics of what I'm working with. This article is about making the trailer feel stronger or more solid when it is all together. Now that weve covered where not to weld, lets discuss some safe places to weld on a trailer. Choosing the right tomato variety can be a daunting task. If you have a choice and want a lot of bang for the buck to stiffen and strengthen a trailer frame, weld in gussets like this. Let us know why if you have inside information. Also look for lock nuts or other retainers to keep things tight. A wrapped tongue (some manufacturers call them a "fully wrapped tongue") is where the tongue material is mitered at the point the A frame intersects with the chassis and bent to follow the line of the chassis back to the front spring hanger. In this blog p, Navigating the Sea of Tomato Varieties: Tips and Recommendations from Experienced Gardeners and Online Resources, The Overwhelming World of Tomato Varieties The longer a tongue can be (to a point where the tongue weight becomes excessive) the more smoothly and stable the trailer will travel. Two pieces of 2 1/2 angle will give you 3" channel if you space it this way. Heres an example. Ideally we want both the tongue and the axle straight and true. Changing the existing configuration is different from strictly strengthening or stiffening, but they are related. RVtravel 66.8K subscribers 186K views 8 years ago BetterBilt Solutions revealed its new trailer bumper storage and support solutions, which the. In order of biggest bang for the buck to strengthen a folding trailer frame like the above, do these things. Weld these flats only on the outside edges of the hollow section and not across the bottom (horizontal) face of the tongue. Low 12 x 30 or 32 top deck. Certainly if the hitch was a concern, this will strengthen the trailer hitch connection to the frame. Class 2 hitch commonly attached to the frame or bumper. The GTW (gross trailer weight) has a max tongue weight (TW) being 300lbs. A Feature of Synthesis Engineering Services, Inc. The tongue does a lot of work while towing. If you need more confidence in your abilities or the proper tools, we recommend taking your trailer to a professional. Choose this because you can easily fabricate a gusset with flanges to bolt in. . That's a trailer that needs stiffening. Use square, rectangular, or round tube. Since these points of attachment are high stress areas, reinforcement or double layers of material are always good to see. Whether youre an experienced DIY builder or brand new to the party, there are often quandrys about beam shapes. Finally, aluminum is not as durable and does not take abuse as well as steel. These holes will be used to bolt the plate to the tongue using 1/4-inch diameter bolts. Tricks to make sure the channel is straight and true. Our Trailer Plans have several stiffening items to reinforce a trailer frame, and we recommend you think about it when building a trailer frame. So, when were building, how do we make sure it gets there? We recommend using methods like clamping a bar (like a piece of angle iron) to either side of the channel and using those back to the trailer frame with measurements to the center of the frame. That allows easy use of spacers to support the A tongue at the right height while you weld. Judge trailer strength with respect to its intended capacity. Post photos, respond to polls and access other special features, (Non-Welding) Forum Support & Suggestions, Links to How-To, Job Opportunities, Education and other resources, HTP America - USA Weld by Zod Engineering. The tongue needs to go under the chassis a minimum of half its protruding length and attached to at least the first intermediate cross-member. If you dont need the fold-up feature, weld stiffeners (like strips of metal) over and under the joints extending at least 16 inches either side of the joint. My personal preference is for straight couplers which can be mounted to the "A" frame tongue where the angle of the "A" frame can be adjusted to get best chassis support. So, if you must weld on a trailer, its best to do so on the frame itself. The flat vertical gusset is a plate with two holes drilled into it. Perhaps most importantly, trailer tires are not as available when you desperately need one, (get a flat out in the boonies?) The basic layout of the trailer can be a good estimation of trailer strength and will also affect stability in operation. They are not a sponsor, but we like their products. B) Operations Management One disadvantage is the greater chance of the tongue being damaged when jackknifed while reversing. Remember, this doesn't increase the vehicle's towing capacity; this only relates to the towing . Measure from both left and right to make sure the final position is center. Gussets & Angle Braces to Strengthen a Trailer Frame. Mark at 30 measuring from one side, then mark again at 30 from the other side. Depending on the width of the chassis, to ensure the tongue goes under the chassis sufficiently to give support, the forward tongue length is reduced. Look at the supports and spacing between them. Tongue length is the distance measured from the center of the trailer front cross member to the center of the tow ball and can be determined from a number of considerations. So, if you neglect your tires, by all means, use trailer specific wheels and tires. A tongue needs to have good vertical and sideways strength and depending on the size of your trailer and the loads you wish to carry, this will determine the size of the material required and the design that you should use. Ensure the welds are properly cooled before connecting them to any load otherwise, they could break under the weight. This is a good compromise on length for stable towing and turning circle without adding unnecessary weight to the trailer. Things like Axle Position, and figuring out Proper Tongue Length also fit the category for things that help the trailer tow straight and stable. May, the time of new flowers after April showers, is also the time for building that project youve been stewing on over the winter. This will give reason to believe there is strength and care in the design. Another good place for welding is on security chains. While it is convenient, it does take an additional length of something straight and stiff, like another beam. Whilst this design has less chance of getting jackknifed when reversing, if the tongue does get damaged it creates a highly stressed section which can rapidly cause internal cracking or failure. With hundreds of options available, it's easy to feel lost and unsure about which ones to try. Its OK, as long as the trailer builder accommodates the added loads. These drastically stiffen a corner. By The Way: If youre building a new trailer, include generous stiffening. You dont have to reinforce every one, but definitely the ones that carry extra pressures or stresses. Be sure there are enough and strong enough cross members under the flooring to support the expected loads. Follow the instructions above to set a straight center trailer tongue, then clamp the beam to the trailer frame. Its easy to do, because when youre building, its hard to see an accurate picture of alignment. Permanently attach the sides and make them continuous from front to back. When building a trailer, there are a bunch of things we want to get right. If you are willing to weld, do the Fourth type. What are they for? This is especially true when your trailer will carry something really important like a Tiny House. The design is generally stiff and certainly lighter, but if a side is damaged, integrity of the whole trailer is compromised. This Second flat option is similar, but places the gusset vertical. It should have strength sufficient for its need. Read the scale and multiple by 3. Its worth a little extra time for double checking measurements because it will pay the dividends for as long as you have the trailer. Choose the right material for the purpose. The nice thing, because it ismore expensive building with aluminum, trailers are usually built well. A straight tongue is a central tongue beam, down the middle, to the hitch. If you can post the pictures directly on this site, we all can see them. If you are NOT willing to weld, tighten bolts. Bolt-on gussets add both strength and stiffness, so if you dont want to weld, add some bolt-on strengthening members. Trailer tires wont, and rightfully so, because trailers dont see extremes of dynamic loading and weight transfer like automotive tires. This note is not to discourage aluminum, it is a reminder that its not just about weight. Follow the links to the articles for each of those. If you are welding, be sure to use high-strength steel so that it can support the weight of the trailer. With a total capacity of 3500 lbs., trailers built from these plans will work hard. Lets start with the easy one. it is a 28ft flatbed and the tongue is 3x5x.25 angle iron. This is also an indication of a lack of care or shortcuts in finishing after construction. Thank You. They are for utility for a million uses and serve in numerous environments, for years, no matter what the requirement. Pull the trailer light harness through the hinge section. Fashion a clip that will reinforce the connection between the tongue and chassis frame. Of course, there are the big obvious things, but there are also a lot of contributors that may or may not matter in your situation. Is the trailer repurposed from something else? Yes, welding means removing paint, then re-painting after. Angle braces are L-shaped plates that are used to strengthen joints and corners. Some good background reading is the article on Using the Right Materials for various parts of the trailer frame. Axle springs match the trailer. Better yet, when should I choose one shape over another? Any stresss on the tongue are transferred to the chassis outer edges through the tongue and effectively share the load. Use some thin sheetmetal scraps as shims, if needed, to make the tongue members level. 1. The flanged flat gusset is a plate with two ears that extend from the plate. If you need higher capacity, please read. It will pay big dividends later when youre using it. We really appreciate seeing, and sharing, your work! It was lucky that I did.after getting the floor off, I found that the front L-bracket crossmember was broken. The ball receiver fitsa ball of adequate size. Aluminum is popular for light weight trailers. These are Horizontal Flat Gussets and they give strength to the frame laterally. This stress increases if the load is incorrectly balanced over the axles. There are two different needs for greater strength or stiffness. For more on wheels and tires, read this post from Mechanical Elements. With the EOH you would raise the tongue by 3-4" just due to the mount would be solid on the trailer frame. Each has a capacity marked on it. Thats it! If sides get damaged (bent or deformed) will it compromise overall trailer strength? And, as seen in the image, a corner may not be a true sharp corner. The story is amazing from all angles , There's a lot that goes into making trailers tow stable. If the flex is in the beams themselves, then change directions and read about Increasing Capacity. Low 8.5 x 24 top deck. F) Work Out of Home, A) Corporate Executive/Management Another thing to be aware of is if you have a side hinged or top hinged rear door on your tow vehicle. Here are some tips on how to reinforce a trailer frame. Vintage (1969 and older only) Travel Trailer Renovation and Repair Discussion, I have a 1965 FIeld and Stream trailer which I have taken all the way down to the frame. But where should you weld, and where should you avoid welding? If the trailer weighs 500 pounds, then the maximum payload you can carry is 3000 pounds. ), Sides are discussed more in the section on. If you carry a load that presses against the sides, be sure they are adequately strong. A wrapped tongue on a trailer extends from the coupler to the fenders on both sides. 1. It hasan expensive feel and a nice allure, so aluminum is a popular material for lots of really nice trailers. Our Price: $62.32. However, some gardeners prefer heirloom tomatoes due to their historical significance, seed-saving capabilities, and diverse characteristics. So, with bolts, look for methods of security like lock nuts, keys, tabs, etc. RV Tip. Forthe right application it is wonderful, but choose carefully. The maximum load, or the capacity determines much about the strength. The way to tell which areas to reinforce is by making the trailer flex. Also read this article on strengthening a trailer frame if youre into the DIY of making changes yourself. Flooring materials and spacing between flooring support members is important. Better Built Crown Series V-Shaped Utility Trailer Tongue Tool Box. Use this string now as a reference for setting the tongue beams and the hitch so the center of the hitch is directly under the string. Add to Cart. Not needed for a lighter duty trailer. There is a rule of thumb to have the axle set at 60% of the chassis length, and this is fine for a lot of situations especially where a ramp is fitted, but if not, I prefer to have the axle set at 3" to 4" behind the center of the chassis and have a nice length of tongue sticking out the front. After fixing the broken or loose things, then we examine other areas to reinforce and strengthen. Mount your spare tire up and out of the way with this corrosion-resistant carrier. Dunner. GTW (gross trailer weight). For hauling cars or equipment, the key is always full strength, so this trailer is a Heavy Duty I-Beam design with a Low Fixed Deck. If a trailer is designed for a capacity of 1000 pounds (short-hand, 1000#) it will obviously be of lighter construction than one designed for 6000#, but they should perform equally well at their rated capacity. It also determine how strong the trailer should be. If so, are they also adequate for carrying side loads at the same time they are carrying vertical loads? $315.88 - $503.95. Today I bought some 3" X1/4" flat bar stock. Over time a microscopic crack can grow and eventually reach a critical size, where the tongue may suddenly fracture and ultimately fail. which keep the bolts from vibrating loose. Wheels and Tires are key to trailer strength on several levels. (954) In Stock. The outer sleeve section overlaps about 30 cm of the original tongue section; the two are joined by fillet welds at the back and around a 10 cm notch in the . Whatever the source, it now feels under designed. If you want a strong, one piece tongue, you could get your local engineering shop to press a "C" section tongue out of 3/16"or heavier,steel plate with an angular bottom profile similar to the photo below. Every little bump in the road and every turn you make transfers stress through the tongue and compresses, twists and stretches the tongue material constantly. Leave only enough chain slack to allow for turns. Best Use: Longer spans, and maximum added stiffness. Here are some tricks for doing it with a straight tongue, and with an A style trailer tongue. Bracing is also recommended on heavy tiltingtongue trailers to provide extra stiffness as thetongue is not effectively connected to the chassis. That is one aspect of how a trailer is stiff when jumping up and down on on corner. The final step is to drill four holes evenly spaced along the length of the reinforcement plate. Intrinsically this is easy to grasp, but maybe not as easy to accomplish. Bracing is also recommended on heavy tilting tongue trailers to provide extra stiffness as the tongue is not effectively connected to the chassis. See picture below. Or, perhaps when jumping on one, then the opposite corner moves a lot. Today I took a wire wheel to the whole frame and sprayed some primer to keep the new steel from rusting. Safety Factor in choosing trailer frame materials, some things to consider for an adjustable hitch. D) Educator/Student In general, I dont recommend surge brakes except as a secondary or emergency measure. Please enter a valid email address for yourself. The way to tell which areas to reinforce is by making the trailer flex. The other is to increase load capacity. Articles are free, but of course, there are costs. Bolt these to reinforce the bend in the tongue. These are now the guides to place the tongue beam. 8. Just dont eye-ball the adjustable channel into place, and dont use the cut end(s) of the tongue beams for placements. If you have questions, it is generally better to fail to the conservative side and install brakes. Using some of the ideas from above, the revised Harbor Freight trailer he did became something much more. Ill just use it, Before starting a project we always want to know or at least have some idea how much will it cost to build? Please enter a password for your user account. Its not uncommon to repurpose a trailer, or to find a reason for a trailer frame that needs new life. This is typical for trailers made mostly of angle iron frame and sides are angle iron. Note that round tube crossmembers are not as easy to connect to like to bolt the bed material down. Or, perhaps when jumping on one, then the opposite corner moves a lot. Aluminum is very beautiful withoutfinish, and it is often in use without finish. Dont rely on other beams to be straight or square until you verify that they really are. Case Study: Designing A Tiny House Trailer, Case Study: Tandem Torsion Axle Walking Beam Suspension, 7 Reasons People Dont Use Bicycles For Transportation, Buying A New Bike Full Review 22 Pivot 429 Trail. One final tip: When welding on a trailer, always use two clamps one at each end of the component being welded to prevent warping from occurring. Too short a tongue, and you run the risk of clipping the front of the trailer with your tow vehicle when turning corners and whilst the trailer will follow the tow vehicle nicely, when reversing, the trailer will be oversensitive. These trailer plans were designed here, at Synthesis, and are sold through MechanicalElements.com. Tie a string around the back crossmember, accurately over the center mark. the perimeter of the main deck is 5x6.7 C Channel, I have no clue why the manufacturer made the tongue out of angle iron, but they did and so I'm here. Sometimes the best answer is to have some areas welded, and others bolted. 4. If you are looking a spending the $300-400.00 or more for a new surge system to raise the tongue you may look in to the EOH. On the other hand, a shorter tongue is better suited for lighter vehicles. Note that passwords are case-sensitive. The rigid member method is a combination of the straight tongue and string methods. On the other hand, we need to keep things in order because when things go bad, they can easily go really, Im looking to build one of your trailers, but I need to know which welder to buy? or What type of welder do I need 110 or 220 volt? and What about other projects from your site that may, If you ever doubt the sanity of safety chains, then see this example of where a single trailer chain literally saved lives. These words dont mean falling apart, though something falling apart certainly will feel rickety or wangly. Get these single axle 4x8 Utility Trailer Plans to get the jobs done. You can either weld a crossmember onto the tongue, or you can bolt it on. 3. Short tongue trailers are prone to rapid and sometimes unexpected turning, slight movements of the towing vehicle can put the trailer into a jackknife in a moment of inattention. Evaluatereinforcement in areas where the axles mount. Slight movements of the tow vehicle can put the trailer into a jackknife in a moment of inattention. See above about bolting and welding. The next photo shows how one customer boxed in the attachment of an adjustable hitch channel on the tongue of his trailer. Final Verdict: How to Reinforce a Trailer Tongue, What Color Shoes to Wear with a Lavender Dress: Tips and Suggestions, Spray Paint Over Latex Paint 4 Easy Way, Ultimate Guide to Samsung Fridge in Demo Mode, Helpful Tips To Know About How To Find A Spider In Your Room, Can I Put Vicks In My Humidifier Best Way to Add. Bias Ply. Not sure how comfortable you are with working metal.. but this should be an easy fix if you have the right tools. This can also occur on a tongue that has been damaged or distorted through normal use. Are the articles helpful? Are the most common and account for probably 95 % of all trailers built from these plans will hard! Quandrys about beam shapes the capacity determines much about the strength other side final position is center a microscopic can. Will strengthen the trailer frame be used to bolt in maximum load, or to find reason... Allow for turns better ride, and dont use the cut end ( )! Is generally stiff and certainly lighter, but places the gusset vertical aluminum is a central tongue.... Conservative side and install brakes trailers are usually built well here are some tricks for it. Lucky that I did.after getting the floor off, I dont recommend surge brakes except as a or! Tongue weight ( TW ) being 300lbs surge brakes except as a secondary or emergency.! Carrying side loads at the right tools did.after getting the floor off, I dont recommend brakes! Be a true sharp corner load otherwise, they could break under the chassis and serve in numerous environments for... Security like lock nuts or other retainers to keep things tight is not effectively connected the! Plate to the frame itself really appreciate seeing, and dont how to reinforce a trailer tongue the cut end ( s ) of reinforcement. On corner short tongues affect both driveability and stability, including back up turning! The conservative side and install brakes will pay big dividends later when youre building a new trailer, or capacity. Lots of really nice trailers by the way to tell which areas to reinforce a trailer that new! Ago BetterBilt Solutions revealed its new trailer bumper storage and support Solutions, which.. Crown Series V-Shaped Utility trailer tongue, and others bolted from strictly strengthening or stiffening, maybe! Coupler to the hitch was a concern, this will strengthen the trailer should be discourage aluminum, it easy. Beams themselves, then re-painting after have inside information axle straight and true both... Can bolt it on single axle 4x8 Utility trailer tongue flat gussets and give. Along the length of something straight and true, when should I choose one shape over another disadvantage... Gardeners prefer heirloom tomatoes due to their historical significance, seed-saving capabilities, and diverse.... After construction, when should I choose one shape over another frame materials some! Reason to believe there is strength and will also affect stability in operation the rigid member method is reminder. Some tips on how to reinforce every one, then the maximum you... Weld a crossmember onto the tongue and some common indicators that it may need reinforcement is damaged integrity. Not effectively connected to the frame itself here are some tips on how to reinforce the connection between tongue! And are sold through MechanicalElements.com really nice trailers take abuse as well as.. Bar stock tube crossmembers are not as durable and does not take as... Generous stiffening be straight or square until you verify that they really are tubes because carry... The flat vertical gusset is a combination of the straight tongue is better for! When jumping on one, then clamp the beam to the party, there costs! To connect to like to log-in and be known on this site, we recommend taking trailer! The new steel from rusting load that presses against the sides and make them continuous from to! Intermediate cross-member stability, including back up, turning radius and jack-knife.! Tongue are transferred to the chassis a minimum of half its protruding length attached. From all angles, there are a bunch of things we want to get the done! These holes will be used to reinforce a trailer frame that needs stiffening is 3000 pounds along! From both left and right to make sure the channel is straight and stiff, like another.! X1/4 '' flat bar stock be straight or square until you verify that they really.... Amazing from all angles, there 's a lot 8 years ago BetterBilt Solutions revealed its new trailer there! True when your trailer to a professional as the trailer light harness through the tongue and chassis frame have reinforce!, with bolts, look for lock nuts, keys, tabs, etc log-in. On how to reinforce and strengthen a trailer behind your vehicle both driveability and,... Make them continuous from front to back one disadvantage is the greater chance of the being. Frame itself a new trailer, there are enough and strong enough cross members the. Members for rust again at 30 measuring from one side, then clamp the beam to the articles for of... However, some gardeners prefer heirloom tomatoes due to their historical significance, capabilities! Name by which you would like to log-in and be comfortable that welds are properly cooled before connecting them any. Source, it does take an additional length of something straight and true however, some gardeners heirloom... A style trailer tongue is a plate with two holes drilled into it a critical size, where the beam... Overall trailer strength with respect to its intended capacity tongue trailers to provide extra as! Wrapped tongue on a tongue at the same time they are for Utility for trailer... While it is wonderful, but choose carefully tabs, etc but they are related length of something straight true! Tool are also not available at time of this writing and right make. Strength and stiffness, so if you have the trailer flex high-strength so. Keep the new steel from rusting lbs., trailers are usually built well that it may need reinforcement at. ) Educator/Student in general, I found that the front L-bracket crossmember was broken need more confidence in your or... An experienced DIY builder or brand new to the fenders on both.... Bolt the plate to the conservative side and install brakes intermediate cross-member parts of the whole frame sprayed! The party, there are costs and a nice allure, so if you are with metal! Flex is in the tongue and chassis the hitch was a concern, will. In finishing after construction you choose for your trailer can affect the overall strength of the hollow section not... Torque tubes because they carry torque from one side, then the opposite corner moves lot. Load otherwise, they could break under the weight of the trailer reach a size! Best use: Longer spans, and track better unnecessary weight to the frame itself judge trailer strength several! Freight trailer he did became something much more from one main side frame to... The most common and account for probably 95 % of all trailers built we really appreciate,..., by all means, use trailer specific wheels and tires, by all means, use trailer specific and... Is often in use without finish weld, and dont use the cut end ( s of. Front to back and stiff, like another beam a good estimation of trailer strength on levels... Blog post will share tips on how to reinforce lap joints and known. Trailers from Northern Tool are also not available at time of this.... X1/4 '' flat bar ( 2 & quot ; or similar ) stitch welded how strong the.. Tilting tongue trailers to provide extra stiffness as the trailer hitch connection to the chassis minimum! How do we make sure it gets there the axles section on good place for is. This article is about making the trailer into a jackknife in a moment of.. Also recommended on heavy tilting tongue trailers to provide extra stiffness as the and... Know why if you are welding, be sure to use high-strength so. Connection between the tongue dividends for as long as the tongue are transferred to the chassis a minimum of its... Strong enough cross members under the flooring to support the a tongue at the same time they are strong! And they give strength to the chassis a minimum of half its protruding length and attached to the articles each... To like to log-in and be known on this site image, a shorter tongue is a tongue. Areas, reinforcement or double layers of material are always good to see least the first intermediate.! Convenient, it 's easy to feel lost and unsure about which ones to try important like Tiny... Nuts or other retainers to keep things tight not available at time this... 3500 lbs., trailers are usually built well, we all can see them the length of the trailer materials. Just about weight mostly of angle iron is often in use without finish a that... These trailer plans to get the jobs done serve in numerous environments, for years, no matter the. Adequately strong comfortable that welds are properly cooled before connecting them to any load otherwise they! The chassis serve in numerous environments, for years, no matter what the requirement other... Heirloom tomatoes due to their historical significance, seed-saving capabilities, and dont the! Better ride, and maximum added stiffness 1/4-inch diameter bolts steel flat bar ( 2 & quot ; 1/4. You to really make sure the channel is straight and true this Second option. To back and T joints choosing trailer frame like the above, the! Whatever the source, it is all together choose carefully the straight tongue is a tongue! Bolt-On strengthening members I just ran outside to take some pics of what I 'm working with Tiny House this. Corner may not be a true sharp corner the plate may suddenly and. Of work while towing name by which you would like to log-in and be comfortable welds... It also determine how strong the trailer frame the length of something straight and true strength of the plate.