Trailer Beam Question

[up9018]

For those of you who build your own trailers, what size of angle do you use for the beams? Do you match the size of the Tamiya trailers or just use your own?

Also, how far do you space them apart? Are your covering the entire 5th wheel?

Thanks,
Chris

[littleiron]

This all depends on what scale trailer you are building and the 1-1 trailer you are building from. most low-boys are I:bounce: beam

[aussietruckerguy]

Depends on the prototype, some trailers have different spacing, if the trailer has beams normally there I. There are exceptions, some in Australia are using tube

[Lmackattack]

When I built my 48' flat bed I closely matched " L " beams to the thickness and depth of what tamiya uses. Then I just trimmed the beam down up near the king pin using the tamiya rail as a guide.

I kept the same rail spacing so I can use a stock tamiya tandem set up. This also let me use the king pin plate and support legs from the tamiya trailer.

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=6992

[up9018]

Lmackattack....that is the info I'm looking for. I don't have a Tamiya Trailer and for what I want to build it would be a giant waste of money to buy one. The few parts I will use I can source from EvilBay.

I have pretty much designed it starting with a 1x2x1/8 angle, now I just need to know the beam spacing on the Tamiya Trailers.

I know real trailers use I-Beams, and I have no problem getting access to all of that information. (I am an engineering at Landoll) but duplicating a trailer in true scale and construction is easier said than done. Beside, I just need something to tow around for now.

Thanks,
Chris

[Lmackattack]

Here are some stock Dims for the flat bed
the "L" beams are 2mm thick,
Spacing inside the rails is 60MM (64MM out side to out side)
the overall height at the rear of the trailer is 41MM. It tapers down to 31mm for the landing legs then tapers down again at the nose of the trailer to about 14mm for the king pin plate.
the flange is 15mm

I simply copied these dims but stretched the trailer to what I wanted.


Hope this helps

[up9018]

Thanks, that is the info I needed.

BTW, I have seen your Mack's on YouTube, very nice trucks.

Chris

[GjtBob]

Not sure if you're still looking for material for frame rails, but I found a supplier that deals in Metric sizes. I found www.metricmetals.com and I got my aluminum from them, their website has a really good description of what they sell, and they'll get you a quote within 24 hours Mon-Fri, they'll even cut the 10' stock down to whatever length you want, and they'll ship the drops with your order. They've got thicknesses from 2mm and up on pretty much anything you need.