Originally Posted by
dayworks
I have my doubts about your drop out - have you used that type before? My feeling is that under load you'll bend that piece of angle meaty as it is of deform the hole you've bolted through although I'd be happy to be wrong. I asked because I'm thinking of something similar for my next generation trailer. Instead of angle I was going to use square tube and run the bolt/axle through both walls of the tube so the cantilever is supported across a longer distance.
DAY
Hi dayworks,
In answer to your question - Yes I have used angle iron before as dropouts, although a bit thinner than the one im using now. The thin angle I used last time for a quicky ladder trailer (to bring a load of loooong wood home) ended up buckling just as I turned the trailer into my street. - (a trip of about 2 mile)
LADDER TRAILER (Extendable).
The above trailer was only built to bring home the wood its carrying.
I have since built a stronger trailer for long and heavy loads. For this I used the thick angle iron. I had to use 2 pieces to hold on my wheels due to the nature of the fittings on the wheelchair wheels.
I'll try and get pics of the dropouts on this trailer.
Instead of angle I was going to use square tube and run the bolt/axle through both walls of the tube so the cantilever is supported across a longer distance.
I thought of that also and did indeed try it out, but you have to ofset the wheel axle. I found that my wheel axle was just to short to catch a nut safely after going through my 1" tube. So I stuck with THICK angle iron.
I have stood on my trailer without the wheels splaying out or anything buckling, so im happy with it, though I suppose its all down to how much weight you wish to carry?
Might I add if you got the way of angle iron for your dropouts make sure when you drill out the hole for your wheel axle that its a tight fit.
Regards
Tom