angle or tubular

[Qdriver]

I have designed a trailer for my operation starting next spring. I plan to purchase the material and build it from scratch using my dad's help (and his welder). I feel this will be the less expensive route.

We have built a few small utility trailers together in the past and working on one right now just to sell.

In researching the trailer Manf.s in my local area, I have found they all use angle.

Some larger manf. (Wells Cargo) uses "c" iron. The most expensive trailer manf.s use sq tubular.

I am trying to balance cost with quality and longevity.

What are the advantages of building vs buying and angle vs tubular.

[Rustic Goat]

You didn't give details, little things like size of trailer, how many gates, single or double axle, etc.
Many factors, who's building, how it's built, size of material, size of trailer, etc, all come into play.
Comparing apples to apples, tubular is a more substantial material, less flex.
But, for normal trailer use in the lawn biz, angle seems to the best choice. Material weight being a major factor. Now if it's going to be some monster trailer, the choice might be different.

[Qdriver]

It will be a Lawn Maintenance trailer. 18' tandem. Able to carry a 36" w/b, 21" push, asst. pole equip. BPs and later a "52 Z and a 10-15hp Little Wonder, Not to mention shovels ,rakes,..etc. Maybe much later a skid steer or Bobcat when I get into landscaping.

It will have the standard gate plus a 42" side gate. 4' high mesh all the way around, pt 6x floor, Locking bins for BPs, tools ..etc. Leaf/debris bin and a refueling tank of some sort.

Size of material is still a question I have to answer.

[vipermanz]

11/2" 1/8" square tube or steel pipe is a good choice

[Qdriver]

Where is the best place to get material? There are no salvage yards that I can find in my area that have/sell material of this type. I cannot afford to pay top $.

[J.Gordon]

I like square- tubing a lot but angle and c-channel will not hold moister like the tubing. The results will be rust that you can’t see. I myself would get advice from someone who builds them for a living.
On metal I have found it’s cheaper for me to buy new than using scrap or rusted material. (Because of the time and preparation) check you phone book for pipe and steel

[vipermanz]

i have thought about filling the space in square tube with expanding foam, it would add hardly any weight to it and keep mousture away from it

[Qdriver]

The foam Idea sounds like a good one. I wonder how many cans it would take for an 18'

[Rustic Goat]

Foam in tubular sounds like a very workable idea. If you can figure a way to dry the inside out, you wouldn't have to fill tubing would you? If you're going to fill it all the way, can you inject foam far enough to reach at least half way?

[vipermanz]

i had thought maybe get a piece of vinyl tubing the size of the nozzle and the length of the steel and start filling and pull it out as you get to the end