Flatbed trailer specs

I suspect that the @m16ty might have a point in regard to aluminum welded trailers versus steel. I know squat about the manufacturing process or which last longer, but I believe that most of the better commercial aluminum livestock trailers are huck riveted rather than welded because the flex cracks welds so easily. Granted, the structural strength in a cattle wagon is a lot like a reefer, i.e. in the sides, and a different critter altogether from a frame trailer. I could see that the frame of an aluminum flatbed trailer should be all one piece with no welds or rivets, and then the rest of the trailer could be welded or riveted to the frame. Again, I am just blowing smoke out my butt on this, but I can see where m16ty might have a point.

Another aspect that I am curious about is the combination steel/aluminum trailers, and how they deal with the corrosive reaction between the two materials, especially with the use of magnesium chloride and salt being so prevalent these days. I have seen severe jacking between old aluminum frame tractors and steel inserts, and wonder if that is a problem on combo flatbeds.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on camber. Just look at an older Whitzco lowboy compared to a better brand, and the value of each after 20 years.

 

How much do you work with aluminum? I haven't done much aluminum work for years, as I generally have the opinion that aluminum should stay in the form of pop or beer cans, because that's about all its good for.

I agree 100% with you when you mention that aluminum tends to crack close to the welds, as it will do exactly that whenever its stressed. Unfortunately, welding softens the aluminum in the heat affected zone, and makes it very pliable, and it will act much like "Hubba Bubba Bubble gum", stretching and tearing very easily.

To get its strength back, you could heat it to just shy of 1,000 deg, followed by a quench... And then, as they say, "age it" for 1 hour at 400 deg. The 1 hour at 400 is the only one that I remember, although I know they have a long list of combinations you could do. Less heat, longer time. This is how they handle welded bicycle, and motorcycle frames... along with aluminum light poles etc...

Curious if any of the assemblies you mention would be candidates for playing with that or not... Obviously, heating something as large as trailer frame rails, or much smaller cross-members, is out of the realm of possibility for most people.

 

Too bad that titanium would be too expensive, but it's lighter and stronger than steel or aluminum. That would make a ###### trailer.

 

Don't forget Hondas. They are the cause of beer can shortages world wide.

 

I don't do a whole lot of AL work. My closest experience to flatbeds is repairing AL dump bodies and headache racks. I have been witness to the design of complex AL assemblies.

New AL trailers have a lot of design and engineering put into them. They are doing things in recent years that wasn't even possible before. I wouldn't even attempt to repair any load carrying member on them.

All I was saying in my previous post was that welding isn't necessarily better than bolts when it comes to AL. The overall design is what you are looking at. Short of carrying a engineer with you while shopping, about all you can do is see what the dealers have to say and ask others running them how they are working out.

 

Carbon fiber is making strides to be the next lightweight/high strength material. The aerospace and racing industry is already investing heavily into it. I don't think it will be too long before you start seeing trucks and trailers with carbon fiber components. We may be a long way from carbon fiber main frames but van sides and such would be easy.