Need Advice on building Deck over Trailer

[PawNature]

I am going to build a 8 x 14 deck over trailer. Was wanting to know if 6" channel would be heavy enough for the frame. Going to use tandem 3500 axles.

[highpockets]

I'd guess it would be ok.  You don't want to get too heavy or you eat up you wheel load capacity with iron.

[thecfarm]

I use to haul my 40hp tractor over here with a trailer that was made out of 4 inch channel.Tractor and all weighted almost 3 ton.Did have 2 axles under it. I fogot what the axles were rated at.This was a 8x16 with a beaver tail.

[PawNature]

Actually I would like to use 4" but didn't know if it would be stiff enough. But  sounds like it would work.
Thanks for the replys.

[Fla._Deadheader]

There's different weights in channel, making them heavier and stiffer.  One I built, I used middle weight.

[rebocardo]

There is a big difference between 6" channel depending on thickness. 1/8, 3/16, 1/4.

For a 7,000 pound trailer, 6x2x 1/8 would be enough. Since this actually might see a log or two,  cross bracing within each "box" (instead of just using left to right) might be a good thing. Doubling up the rear cross member would help strengthen the frame.

I think for the two side frame members, if loading logs sideways, I would go with 3/16.

Is this for on road or off road use?

Are you using a 2 5/16 ball, how much should the trailer weigh? You pretty much can go $1 a pound x trailer weight to get your cost. 3/16 weighs much more then 1/8.

imo, If you are going to bother going 8 feet wide, you might as well go 16 feet long so you can fit a vehicle on there as an option at a later date.

If this is just for lawn equipment and such, not logs, then all the cheap dual axle trailers are built with 3 or 4" 1/8 ANGLE. Only the real quality deck overs are built with 6 x 1/4" channel and they cost well over $3000. I use E-Bay to comparison shop.

I assume with a deck over, you are hauling something beefy such as logs, being a foresty forum ?   

[flip]

I'm starting the same project.  I've got some 2X6 square tube 3/16 wall for the frame and laying either 6" I-beam or channel or tube on top of that.  The idea is to get the deck of the trailer just slightly above the tops of the tires so I can parbuckle.  I ordered a tandem axle kit from abctrailers.com, I'm getting a pair of 7,000 electric brake axles to put under it.  Want to use it as a car/tractor hauler if need be but primary as a log hauler.  I'm unsure wether to use a metal deck or wood-advantages-disads?  I'm gonna stay in the 16' or less so I don't get too ambitious. ;)  Pics of other trailers would be great-also any neat design stuff would help.

Flip

[metalspinner]

All these ideas sound alot like my trailer.  Only I didn't build mine :(...but got it cheap .
This one has a 1/4 steel deck.  I like that alot.  Just be careful using the chain saw on it!
It is built with 4" x 1/4" channel, tips the scale at 2400lbs, and is 6' x 12'.  By the time I load it down it is already beyond my trucks towing capacity.  So, I don't think I will ever find the trailers real limit.   Maybe it's time for a bigger truck! ;D
Here are some pics....

One thing I want to change is the diagonal brace coming down from the front.  It is always in the way.




Here it is loaded down with a big sycamore.....



Notice it shows hardly no compression on the springs.

A few more pics of loading it with logs are in my gallery.

[Weekend_Sawyer]

I have a nice 8' x 16' flatbed deck over trailer. it used to be 6' x 16' with the wheels on the outside.
The frame is made of 6' channel but I don't know the thickness. I bought 4' Channel, medium I think, and built 1' deck over extensions and then decked the whole thing with 6/4 white oak. The trailer came out to be 3,000lbs and hauls my 7,000lb skid steer fine behind my 96' F350. I put 2 x 7,000lb Dexter axles with elect brakes under it. It is sooooo nice to have good brakes!

I hauled a 9,000lb dozer once but my truck didn't like it!

Jon