FILENAMES: trailer-accident1.jpg trailer-accident2.jpg trailer-accident3.jpg DESCRIPTION: These are pictures of a trailer design being analyzed on RCM. Posted by James Washer . James provided the following description: ================================================================= News Flash. I met the trailer-building student today. After much convincing by other students and faculty, he's decided to make some changes to his trailer. In my humble opinions they will help, but probably won't be adequate. In fact, things might be worse, as the trailer will now likely allow him to get up to speed with the load. The changes he's agreed to are 1) add another set of 2x2 that run under the existing tongue A-frame, but this set will run under the trailer, till they terminate at the trailer side rails. I encougaged him to use 2x6 rather than 2x2, and he looked like he'd take it under consideration. 2) add another 2x2 on each out edge rail, set 6 inches above the existing one, filling the space with 2x2 cut at 45 degrees, in a truss configuration. That should be quite strong I would think... Comments? 3) add another 2x2 down the center.. I feel this is probably close to a waste of money, but I cannot see how it would hurt anything. Comments? 4) add some diagonal bracing. In the photo's I took today, you can see that he's already added some small (read short) bracing in the corners near the front of the trailer. I suggested he use much longer braces filling a larger triangle. Bottom line. I think the trailer is approaching some reasonable safety ( assuming the welds are good ) My fear now, is this guy is getting way too much money into this trailer, and this thing is not going to have much strength, particularly against twist (torsion) I've got 3 photo's, unfortunately, I no longer have the article explaining where post them.. anyone care to remind me? - jim