I inherited a home-built trailer from my family that's about 15 feet long. It's made from 1/4" steel and angle iron on the sides, with 2x6 planks in the middle, originally designed to carry a car back in the '90s. It's pretty heavy, and I'm wondering how many holes I can safely cut into the steel to lighten it up while keeping the structural integrity intact. I'm inspired by a trailer my step-dad built using Marston mat, which has its own design for weight reduction. Any advice?
5 Answers
Why not just post some pictures? It might help get better advice. It’d be good to see those angle iron measurements too!
One less hole than you might think is safe! You’ll only know once you’ve cut too many. Just be careful!
Without more specifics, like the exact placement of beams and support, it's hard to give a solid answer. If there's a steel plate under where the tires would go, you might have some room to add holes or replace sections with expanded steel or more wood. Just keep an eye on overall strength, alright?
You're definitely going to want to be cautious. A Marston mat has those dimples for reinforcement, while your trailer doesn't. I'd be wary of cutting too many holes—you might end up putting yourself or others at risk. Consider getting a smaller trailer instead!
Honestly, it’s tough to say exactly how many holes you can cut without more details. You could end up damaging it if you're not careful. I'd think about selling the trailer and getting something lighter instead of risking structural issues.
Yeah, better safe than sorry! A lighter trailer might be the way to go.
Exactly! Safety should come first here.