gooseneck trailer design questions

[wannabefastcrf]

i found a great deal on some 10 c channel 15.3 lb /ft. I am thinking about useing it to make a low boy gooseneck trailer 32 ft long. I was thinking about just useing it and 3" c channel crossmembers every 18 in. with a wood deck. does this seem like it would be strong enough to hold two cars? and either 6 or 7k axles.

[Sonora Iron]

First thing the 3-inch C-channel cross members should be no more than 16-inch centers if using 2 x ? wood decking.

[Sonora Iron]

The 10-inch C-channel seems really light for a 32-foot trailer, might want to think about a truss.

[Pass-N-Gas]

I'm with sonora on the "Little Lite" comment.. the 10 x 15.3 C you mentioned is what I used on my tongue. I used a 12 x 19 I beam on the main frame and put a truss under it as well.. I am running 2 12K HD Disc brake axles under mine..

You mentioned 7k axles.. triple singles @ 3K / tire weight rating = 18K less approx 7k of trailer = 11K in cargo +/- what is on the truck springs..

The torque tube sonora mentioned will give you a better on highway handling ..

Here is my 42' GN it has the 1 1/2" T&G Rumber decking with the cross-members on a 12" CL:

[wannabefastcrf]

good comments, the light comments are my concern too. but when i search gooseneck car trailers it seems most of them are made out of 8 or 10 in c channel. so now im still confused

[Sonora Iron]

Don’t panic yet!
Give us a little more information.
You say 32-feet long, is that total length from gooseneck receiver to the back? Or 32-feet of deck? Seems as most gooseneck A-frames are 8-feet long, and with a 60 / 40 ratio, you maybe looking at around 14-feet of span on your 10-inch C channel! Two 10”x15.3# C channel with a span of 14-feet are good for 12,800-pounds. See how it would help with a little more information? And a drawing, well can’t beat a drawing!


Changing your 3-feet span on the decking to 18-inches makes me look foolish for posting 16-inches max!

[Pontiac Freak]

What size?

What size cars are you hauling? 2 compacts or 2 current fullsize? 70's fullsize? Are you going to ramp on the tongue or both flat after the tongue?

[Badd00SS]

The 32 foot deck, 40 ft overall 2 car 5 th wheel I built runs four 6" x 10.5 lb channel lengthwise, and 3" x 4.1 lb cross members doubled up every 3' approx. It has 2 7 k axles and has hauled hundreds of cars. There are companies building 32 footers with single 6 x 10.5 channel, which seems unsafe. I think your channel would work

[Ingle's Trailer Sales]

10" channel main frame 82" wide 32' with 3" crossmembers 16" spacing . Go with 7k axles 95" hub face 80" spring center [6k & 7k axles price are about the same] plus you will need the extra GVWR . IT will work.

[Sonora Iron]

10" channel main frame 82" wide 32' with 3" crossmembers 16" spacing . Go with 7k axles 95" hub face 80" spring center [6k & 7k axles price are about the same] plus you will need the extra GVWR . IT will work.

Two 10” x 15.3# C channel 25-feet span are good for 7,100-pounds with 1.29-inch deflection!

[Sberry]

I would take a look at some engineered units and copy.

[JSFAB]

yes, exactly, why re-engineer the mousetrap?????

[Sberry]

Its just a habit for me to look at how everything is built, what the guy or trade next to me is doing and file it away for future use. I almost always look at a trailer with that kind of eye when I am standing next to one, if I see a bent bracket take a glance. When in doubt build one gage heavier, usually just a pinch over engineered designs.

[Sberry]

When I first start doing this I didn't always look, I used my own thoughts. First couple trailers I built were so heavy they barely haul themselves. Now half the stuff is with tin snips and screw gun,,, ha

[JSFAB]