Tubing vs angle iron

P

pwrick

New member
First off, thanks to the forum for all the education on this site. Truly amazing. Will be taking the advice given here to get a tandem axle trailer, and it will be an open 77 inch x 12 foot trailer for residential, shopping center, and apartment work. I've been trying to locate a trailer around here, but I'm surprised at how difficult it is to find one in stock. I've got a choice between one with angle iron frame & rails, and one with tubing iron frame & rails (both made by Lawrimore):

Angle iron frame: 2x3 inches; Angle iron rails 2x2 inches. It weighs 1300 pounds empty.
Tubing iron frame: 2x3 inches; Tubing iron rails 2x2 inches. It weighs 1800 pounds empty.

The tubing framed trailer is actually $150 less, but it is about four hours drive away at the manufacturer. The angle iron trailer is at a local distributor. I know tubing is stronger and more stable, but is it worth it and/or recommended, or is the angle iron just fine?
Thanks!
 
JMO, I would go with the tubular framed trailer. It will have much less flexing and the tongues are generally built with the same tubing as the frame resulting in a much stronger tongue. Although, The four hour drive is something to think about.

The tube framed trailers are generally harder to find. You have to go to them. The angle iron trailers being cheaper are more appealing to the masses so they are more readily available...

Mike
Coastal Cleaning
Millersville,MD.
 
I agree with the tubular frame - not only is it stronger, but it's also easier to mount equipment on (hose reels, ladder racks, signage, etc).
I wouldn't let the 4 hour drive totally discourage you - How many hours do you think you will be pulling it after you get it?? I drove 2 hours to get mine, and would drive it again if needed.
I would suggest to make sure whichever one you choose, make sure you have heavy duty axles on it and the largest tires available for it. Don't get some little 13" tires when you are planning on putting equipment on it. Just like everything else, you get what you pay for. Just my $.02
 
There are different gauges of angle, something to think about.

I looked at a ton of trailers this past summer and decided I wanted a tube frame after looking at a lot of flimsy angle frame units. The problem was actually finding one that wasn't 3 hours away or having to wait three weeks for one to come in.

I ended up getting a 12' Load Trail angle trailer. It's substantially heavier than any other angle trailer I saw, had a dexter 3500# axle and had load range E 15" tires on it.
 
I rock and roll with tubing for the trailer itself. Most additional welded items are angle iron, the flexing doesn't really bother me for ladders, but flexing with heavy loads of water would unnerve me.
 
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