Welding the base frame up.

[pyrocasto]

Hey all. I've been planning a mill for a long time but finally starting to pull the trigger to start assembling parts. First is the main frame. Now I've done a good bit of MIG welding and never had any problems(except having to cut the weld when my idea didnt work out how I pictured ). A trailer though, I'm a little paranoid about for obvious reasons. It's heavy duty and I dont want any chance of danger on the road.

I'm using .25"x4"x8" tubing for the base. I was initially planning on having someone else weld it up but starting to think I may weld it myself. I was planning on a 5-7000lb rating and plan on doing many 350 mile highway trips.

Any suggestions on weather to do tandem axle or single? Electric brakes or none? Also is there anything specific about it that will need to be to some code to pass inspection? In NC I do have to register and insure it.

Sorry for the ramble. I'm just anxious to get the project moving forward again.

Looking to be about 24 ft long and 4ft wide w/out tires. The mill looks to be around 2500lbs and I would like to be able to haul some wood on it.(thus the extra rating).

[Enginerd]

Pyro:

I'd look into the registration and licensing in NC. I believe if you are only going to haul the mill around to sawing sites and then haul some lumber back with you you might be able to get away without all the paperwork. I think the registration, tag etc. applies if you will be using the trailer to haul items regularly i.e. - quads, lumber, mulch gravel, etc.

As for welding, Jump right in there and get it done. As long as the penetration is good and the weld is sound you should be OK. I've got very limited welding experience, but I'm going to weld my whole rig together. Granted I'll be doing lots of reading up front and some practice on other smaller projects first.

My plan is similar to yours in that I'll be using the mill to haul lumber back with me when I'm finished. For that reason, I'll be setting up a tandem axle rig rated for 7500# +. Green wood weighs a ton (depending on the species).

Keep us all posted on your progress and I'm sure I speak for many here when I say "WE WANT PICTURES!!!!"

I'm gathering materials for my mill now and hope to start welding up the trailer/bed in the next two to three weeks. I'll try to post pictures also.

Good Luck!

[gomango]

Pyro...

A couple thoughts on tandem and brakes.

Tandem axles will soften the bumps ans washboards (If you have many) and give you a spread out load on the chassis. When one wheel drops into a pot hole, the center link will react and pivot. This actually reduces the amount the trailer drops as a result of sharing the load with the back wheel. It virtually makes the hole seem half as bad.


Electric brakes are a better option if you will be pulling a lot of steep hills, and are less important if you will be mainly running on the flat. Surge brakes work pretty good with heavy loads of the flat.

Here is the problem with surge brakes on hills. Imagine running up a hill in low gear with a load that outweighs the truck. Now imagine if you loose traction and the load starts to pull you backwards. If you have electric brakes, they will work when you step on the pedal. If you are running surge brakes, you are going to go on an uncontrollable ride in reverse until you either hit something or level off. I have done this with a load of iron, and I have to tell you... It makes you clench up pretty bad.

Just my opinion.

[rein08]

That has been also my problem last month.
I asked help from a pro and it cost ed me too much.
Maybe I could have some advice from you.
Thank you.