trailer frame thickness

Hey guys, A few months back I bought a Spen S-model trailer, and have been slowly tearing it down and fixing its issues. One of the main problems that I've come upon is that there are a few rotten sections in the frame, so I've made the decision to replace the frame with new steel rather than just splice in repair panels.

Does anyone know offhand how thick the c-channel on these trailers is? I don't have calipers to measure and I would hate to order c-channel that is too thin. I already talked to a fabricator and have a quote to bend 1/8 steel to my specifications. I was thinking about ordering thicker steel, however, since the trailer will see heavy use. What does everyone think?

Thanks in advance!

 

How bad are the holes? I can weld the frame and fix issues.

 

The spen frame is bent sheet metal as well, looks like 1/8" but I need to buy a set of calipers to verify. It looks exactly like the bantam t3-c frame to my untrained eyes, including the fact that the tub is welded to the frame.

Jeff, the legs of the c-channel are completely missing on both sides of the frame rail where the front edge of the trailer would hold water. The rest of the frame has quite a bit of rust and scale. I'm thinking the best bet would be to just replace all the parts with fresh metal.

 

Yeah new frame time.

 

The frame on my BT3-C was 1/8" stock. I planned on doing a new one out of 3/16" from the steel yard, but once I bought the stuff I realized that it was going to be way heavy. I ended up finding another frame from a guy over on G503 and had it shipped via Greyhound.

 

Hey guys, so I finally coughed up the dough for a set of dial calipers, and it turns out that the trailer measures .150 thick, which is roughly 9 gauge. I think 1/8in stock measures slightly thinner at 11 gauge. I wonder if the slightly thicker frame material in the Spen trailer is one of the features of the higher cargo capacity. I'm thinking that I might just go way overkill and get new frame pieces made in 3/16. Hopefully the cost wont make it prohibitive!

 

When I bought the 3/16" stock it was around $125.00. I think I paid $200 and change for the cherry frame plus shipping. I'd seriously post a WTB over on G503 and the trailer section of the cj2apage to see what turns up.

 

The shop priced my $125 for all of the steel in 7 gauge to replace the trailer frame. For this price it was already bent into c-channel and cut to length. They are charging another $100 to weld it up for me. Once it's done, it should be stronger than new and last at least another 50 years!

 

Deal! Nice to see reasonable prices for fab work. My local guy's brake is too big to do the smaller stuff. Congrats!

 

Wait where are you getting the metal?

 

I got it prebent at a place called "specialty's our name" in Hanover airpark. It should last forever!

 

Seriously I need to move over there. That area has literally everything. I am tired of having to drive up 288, down 295 and up 95 just to get anything done.

 

You would have loved this place. Their setup is the size of a small warehouse and they have some awesome equipment! I really liked the 100 ton press break, huge!

 

Aww man I want to see I want to see. Maybe I should turn Chia into a 6, since I still can, just need some frame extensions and body extensions.
And a great brewery nearby. Center Of the Universe does some good beer.

 

Don't do it..... project creep!!!!!! Just get it on the road so we could all go out wheeling at the GWNF this summer We'll be out there a few times, towing the spen!

 

Well while I don't have a floor in the Jeep I might as well.... Famous last words.

 

Might as well There's a cj6 frame and drivetrain for sale on craigslist right now, you'd just have to do the bodywork!