Very Nice Ed. Should tow great.

I am not saying this to start any trash but for myself I would not trust an aluminum frame. Seen way too many cracks on open trailers where steel does not crack. Also I would be concerned on enclosed trailer IF it does crack you may not know it until it is too late. Even low stress things like stands and ladders steel does not crack like aluminum does around weld areas.
I know many of us have a lot of tongue weight and more trailer weight than we should and some of these roads are very rough.
Right or wrong I do not want an aluminum frame on my trailer just not the place to save weight in my opinion.

if only your opinion meant anything here.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
I am not saying this to start any trash but for myself I would not trust an aluminum frame. Seen way too many cracks on open trailers where steel does not crack. Also I would be concerned on enclosed trailer IF it does crack you may not know it until it is too late. Even low stress things like stands and ladders steel does not crack like aluminum does around weld areas.
I know many of us have a lot of tongue weight and more trailer weight than we should and some of these roads are very rough.
Right or wrong I do not want an aluminum frame on my trailer just not the place to save weight in my opinion.

Had my ATC since late 09' basically a twin to Eds except for spread axles and few extras no problems with cracks as of yet....

Couple of tid bits for u two guys...

For the same section, aluminum will deflect about 3 times more than steel! Assuming that the grade of AL used has similar strength to typical mild steel, both these sections would support the same weight however AL would deflect 3x more under the same load which could work the higher stressed areas causing fatigue earlier than steel.

However the sections used on Ed's trailer tongue framing are much deeper than their steel counter parts, exactly for this reason noted above.

My only comment on the trailer's hitch framing is for the time is takes which is minimal, they should have angle cut the two outside tongue tubes to match up flush with the trailer's main outer frame which would give them more welding area at this connection.

If you use a steel tongue, you still need to attached it to the AL frame which is not as easy as it may sound either.

So pick whatever helps you sleep at night, the bottom line is it needs to be engineered correctly either way....

It is indeed one nice looking trailer frame, however I agree that the main hitch frame rails should have been mitered to the correct angle to allow max weld area on main frame rails. That's just fabrication 101. Nice looking piece though.

Aluminum trailers are awesome. We had a Gold rush aluminum goose neck Towed it all over country. Only problem ever was a accident that was drivers fault( I take 100% blame).Had it repaired at local trailer shop and its still going.We sold it 15 years ago.

Oh yea we bought that trailer used in 1991,sold it in 2001.I think it was 5 years old when we bought it.

Ed you should just detach yourself from your new trailer, throw it in the weeds, and start your research over on a new trailer...juat like you told the fellow with rim screws and M/ T tires...did it without calling your chit junk too like you do everyone else's chit.

jeez dude your such a d I c k to so many...what part of the truth and facts don't you like?

Lot of opinions on this thread. Some good points about alot of things which is what these forums are all about. I'm enjoying the pictures to see the progress of the build. It would be nice to see this from other brands as their products could be analized and picked apart as well. Wish I'd of asked for pictures of my Vintage when it was built although I've been extremely happy with it. Looks like it will be a very nice piece Ed!
This would be like building a new shop, get it all done and no matter how much planning you do you'll always wish something was different.

popper
John Lynch

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:

quote:

Originally posted by TD3550:
Can you do me a favor and get the Model # and manufacturer of the hydraulic setup on that new box. Thanks. I might change over to hydraulic.

http://equalizersystems.com/pr...s/7500-lbs-capacity/

I have one on mine, love it!!

thanks for all the positive replies. I hope to post more construction photos as well the completed photos soon.

This is my last trailer so I put the time, effort and $ into getting exactly what I want and still there are a few things I would do differently or options I would add.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:

quote:

Originally posted by TD3550:
Can you do me a favor and get the Model # and manufacturer of the hydraulic setup on that new box. Thanks. I might change over to hydraulic.

http://equalizersystems.com/pr...s/7500-lbs-capacity/

I have one on mine, love it!!

Steve could you post a photo of yours installed?

quote:

Originally posted by Paul S/Q:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Strange Magic:
"resale value"

Most anyone with a motorhome or show hauler will stay away from a 4' foot tongue, knowing that you have to swing out real wide with a 4' foot tongue and always be concerned about crushing the trailer corner or the corner of the motorhome.

fixed it for you ..... ....[/QUOTE

This is true...my last two have had extended tongues. I borrowed a trailer with a 4' tongue and low and behold the motor home and trailer hit given the right circumstances. It isn't always the tight turn but if you are backing up and on a hill the top corners will meet each other...guaranteed.

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again, what we do is full of knuckleheads at the track and towing to the track.

quote:

Originally posted by TORQIN:
Ed you should just detach yourself from your new trailer, throw it in the weeds, and start your research over on a new trailer...juat like you told the fellow with rim screws and M/ T tires...did it without calling your chit junk too like you do everyone else's chit.

jeez dude your such a d I c k to so many...what part of the truth and facts don't you like?

Yup, may as well scratch this project...tongues too short...

That's a super nice looking trailer Ed. The first thing I looked at was how far back they took the center tongue beam. They did that right for sure. I would be more concerned with that than everyone's concern on the mitered side beams.

my first trailer was a Vintage...I've heard of multiple new units breaking at the tongue. I crawled under a new one and that center beam didn't extend under the trailer at all...neither did the side beams. Those weren't even a consideration at that point....

What I am always amazed at is there is very little weight savings when using the aluminum. My 34' Bravo Super Star completely loaded with options is only 6000'...

thank you.

Either the scale you had your 34' loaded with options steel trailer on was broken or your loaded and my loaded mean different things.

My 34' trailer will be most likely slightly north of 7000 lbs. as delivered.

Are you putting the hydraulic jack on this one? If so, can you post pics of the mounting?

yes, as soon as they are available

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
thank you.

Either the scale you had your 34' loaded with options steel trailer on was broken or your loaded and my loaded mean different things.

My 34' trailer will be most likely slightly north of 7000 lbs. as delivered.

Ill verify that when I get home, but the tag on the trailer says 6000lbs. 34', 6" extra height, triple super spread, coin floor, cabinets with closet and tool box, carpet on walls, wheel well cabint, wired for 110, awning etc...