Aluminium thickness for trailer floor or galvanised sheet ?

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:08 pm

I need advice, opinions and suggestions on thickness of aluminium I should be using on floor and sides.
I've had a good quote on 1.6 (not sure if checkerplate or not) but I'm told by a few that this will be too weak for my needs.
I've supplied rough dimensions in the pic.

Thanks in advance.
christover

Post by **=SKB=** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:30 pm

3mm for floor and 1.6mm for the sides. Floor will be plenty strong and sides a bit thinner will save on weight.

Post by **Guy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:40 pm

Chris I think you should specify that this is for a camper trailer only.

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:58 pm

love_mud wrote:Chris I think you should specify that this is for a camper trailer only.

Top tent part will be removeable, so it can be a normal trailer when not camping.
I don't intend to use it for heavy weight loads though.
But floor does need to be jump on proof, cos no doubt somebody will.
Got to allow for some unplanned events

I've seen corrugations do amazing damage to floors, seen tin food completely lose it bottom from abrasion incurred on long outback trips.
So
I can accept 1.6mm for sides, but floor needs a bit more oomph.

Still considering a marine ply floor with alloy sides.

christover

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:59 pm

=SKB= wrote:3mm for floor and 1.6mm for the sides. Floor will be plenty strong and sides a bit thinner will save on weight.

thanx, sounds logical to me.

Post by **sierrajim** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:00 pm

christover1 wrote:
love_mud wrote:Chris I think you should specify that this is for a camper trailer only.
Top tent part will be removeable, so it can be a normal trailer when not camping.
I don't intend to use it for heavy weight loads though.
But floor does need to be jump on proof, cos no doubt somebody will.
Got to allow for some unplanned events

I've seen corrugations do amazing damage to floors, seen tin food completely lose it bottom from abrasion incurred on long outback trips.
So
I can accept 1.6mm for sides, but floor needs a bit more oomph.

Still considering a marine ply floor with alloy sides.

christover

You'd need to water proof it. Why not a light gauge steel floor? won't weigh much more than alloy and will cost you heaps less.

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:11 pm

sierrajim wrote: You'd need to water proof it. Why not a light gauge steel floor? won't weigh much more than alloy and will cost you heaps less.

Still a possibility.
But would get somebody to mig it on.
There no way would I arc it on, neither me nor the arc is capable of that

Intention is to have it towable without floor and sides first, then I could easily take it places to get worked on.

Maybe galv steel may be a good plan ?

Post by **Loanrangie** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:52 pm

Hey Christover1 , i am doing pretty much the same to a 6x4 trailer except the side frame on mine is 25mm rhs and still deciding if i should use ally or steel to clad the sides, i have a large sheet of ally CP that would do both tailgates. If i clad the outside of the frame i might use ply to line the inside, sides are currently 250mm high and will be extended to either 400 or 450 mm.[img][img]http://www.aulro.com/app/data/500/mediu ... ct_003.jpg[/img][/img]

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:04 pm

I could fit mine inside yours

excuse the expression

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:04 pm

After a bit of research and a lot of questions on many forums, I am more inclined to use galvanised sheet for floor and sides, if it comes in a suitable thickness and price.
Unless of course I find thicker aluminium sheet at the same great price I was offered on 1.6 (not likely tho)
It would be "glued" in with sikaflex or similar, and pinned thru the original "jigging" holes.
Will start checking into this option, along with zincalume roofing type options, next.
Want to chase up my mystery hitch first.
Obviously he/she don't want my money.
christover

Post by **me3@neuralfibre.com** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:21 pm

What do you call a mystery hitch?

I'm gluing a 4mm alloy checkerplate deck in tomorrow into the car trailer.

Paul

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:28 pm

me3@neuralfibre.com wrote:What do you call a mystery hitch?

I'm gluing a 4mm alloy checkerplate deck in tomorrow into the car trailer.

Paul

I bid and "won" a 4wd off road hitch on ebay, but haven't heard a thing from the seller yet. Hoping he hasn't gone away or something worse.
Haven't paid anything, but can't bid on another in case I win 2

I still like alloy, but it looking more like gal sheet at moment.

christover

Post by **jtraf** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:07 pm

add another brace down the middle of the trailer and you won't have a worry about bending the floor.......

Even if you had to add two extra braces in the middle of the trailer I would stick with the 1.6mm floor......

Extra cost of 3mm when you can add a couple braces is not worth it......

stay with 1.6mm chequer alloy plate and you will be fine

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:22 pm

jtraf wrote:add another brace down the middle of the trailer and you won't have a worry about bending the floor.......
Even if you had to add two extra braces in the middle of the trailer I would stick with the 1.6mm floor......
Extra cost of 3mm when you can add a couple braces is not worth it......
stay with 1.6mm chequer alloy plate and you will be fine

Bloke at caravan place uses 1.6 on floor of his bike carrying trailers, he hasn't had an issue yet.
Would definately need more bracing for 1.6. Thats from 3 engineers and fabricaters.
1.6 is still a big option at that price

Post by **Loanrangie** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:30 pm

I originally was going to use c/plate on the floor but decided against it as if i need to carry soil it is is a pain to clean out plus if using for camping the tread will chew the plastic tubs and nylon bags of tents, sleeping bags etc.
Could always use that caravan ribbed sheeting for the sides.

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:38 pm

Loanrangie wrote:I originally was going to use c/plate on the floor but decided against it as if i need to carry soil it is is a pain to clean out plus if using for camping the tread will chew the plastic tubs and nylon bags of tents, sleeping bags etc.
Could always use that caravan ribbed sheeting for the sides.

If I do use CP it will be face down. I used to deliver furniture and I definately don't want it in load area. Its a pain. Always getting stuff stuck or damaged on truck tailgates.

christover

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:10 pm

Decision made.
Going for 1.6 (1.55) galv for trailer floor and sides.
$90 for a 2400 x 1200 sheet inc tax. (I hate tax)
$10 to cut it in half and they waved the $15 extracting from the warehouse fee. Threw in a few free offcuts, too.

All my needs will come out of 1 sheet.
Thanks go to BWS steel in Canterbury rd Bayswater.
Helpful chap and a 4wheeler, too.
I can forgive the ownership of a Range Rover cos he looked after me

Also thanks for everyones input, advice and links to good deals.
Thanks Jtraf for a very tempting offer on alloy cp.

Now just have to wait for it to be ready.

christover

Post by **MKPatrolGuy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:18 pm

christover1 wrote:Decision made.
Going for 1.6 (1.55) galv for trailer floor and sides.
$90 for a 2400 x 1200 sheet inc tax. (I hate tax)
$10 to cut it in half and they waved the $15 extracting from the warehouse fee. Threw in a few free offcuts, too.
All my needs will come out of 1 sheet.
Thanks go to BWS steel in Canterbury rd Bayswater.
Helpful chap and a 4wheeler, too.
I can forgive the ownership of a Range Rover cos he looked after me

Also thanks for everyones input, advice and links to good deals.
Thanks Jtraf for a very tempting offer on alloy cp.

Now just have to wait for it to be ready.

christover

I might have to go there to get the steel I need for my spare tyre spacer, it is just down the road from my work.

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:23 pm

MKPatrolGuy wrote:
christover1 wrote:Decision made.
Going for 1.6 (1.55) galv for trailer floor and sides.
$90 for a 2400 x 1200 sheet inc tax. (I hate tax)
$10 to cut it in half and they waved the $15 extracting from the warehouse fee. Threw in a few free offcuts, too.
All my needs will come out of 1 sheet.
Thanks go to BWS steel in Canterbury rd Bayswater.
Helpful chap and a 4wheeler, too.
I can forgive the ownership of a Range Rover cos he looked after me

Also thanks for everyones input, advice and links to good deals.
Thanks Jtraf for a very tempting offer on alloy cp.

Now just have to wait for it to be ready.

christover
I might have to go there to get the steel I need for my spare tyre spacer, it is just down the road from my work.

I was impressed with the service. I'm not easily impressed.
They cut and/or bend, too, if needed.

Post by **Shadow** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:30 pm

i paid $190 for a 6'x4' galv sheet + zink plated sides for my trailer (folded to shape)

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:35 pm

Shadow wrote:i paid $190 for a 6'x4' galv sheet + zink plated sides for my trailer (folded to shape)

excellent deal.

Post by **Shadow** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:39 pm

christover1 wrote:
Shadow wrote:i paid $190 for a 6'x4' galv sheet + zink plated sides for my trailer (folded to shape)
excellent deal.

oh i didnt get a receipt tho

Post by **christover1** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:46 pm

Shadow wrote:
christover1 wrote:
Shadow wrote:i paid $190 for a 6'x4' galv sheet + zink plated sides for my trailer (folded to shape)
excellent deal.
oh i didnt get a receipt tho

thats good, but getting harder to achieve

Post by **bogged** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:00 pm

DIG DIG DIG.

what did you use in the end??? Where did you get it from..??

Post by **christover1** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:30 pm

bogged wrote:DIG DIG DIG.

what did you use in the end??? Where did you get it from..??

I went with the gal option in above threads.
1.6 (1.55) galv for trailer floor and sides.
$90 for a 2400 x 1200 sheet inc tax. (I hate tax)
$10 to cut it in half and they waved the $15 extracting from the warehouse fee. Threw in a few free offcuts, too.
All my needs will come out of 1 sheet.
Thanks go to BWS steel in Canterbury rd Bayswater.
Helpful chap and a 4wheeler, too.
I can forgive the ownership of a Range Rover cos he looked after me

Post by **christover1** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:33 pm

Post by **christover1** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:34 pm

Post by **bogged** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:53 pm

christover1 wrote:
bogged wrote:DIG DIG DIG.

what did you use in the end??? Where did you get it from..??
I went with the gal option in above threads.
1.6 (1.55) galv for trailer floor and sides.
$90 for a 2400 x 1200 sheet inc tax. (I hate tax)
$10 to cut it in half and they waved the $15 extracting from the warehouse fee. Threw in a few free offcuts, too.
All my needs will come out of 1 sheet.
Thanks go to BWS steel in Canterbury rd Bayswater.
Helpful chap and a 4wheeler, too.
I can forgive the ownership of a Range Rover cos he looked after me

I missed that bit, I was laughin too hard at gluing the floor in a trailer just before you said that above

Post by **ofr57** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:58 pm

is that bolted in? or rivited

i thought you where going to mig it

Post by **christover1** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:03 pm

ofr57 wrote:

is that bolted in? or rivited

i thought you where going to mig it

Not got a mig, tho can sometimes get a mate to mig things.
It is glued and bolted, no rivets.

Is ok so far, but could get it welded if need arises

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Aluminium thickness for trailer floor or galvanised sheet ?

Aluminium thickness for trailer floor or galvanised sheet ?

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