Protective cage around plumbing

How thick is the aluminum you used?
Looks great.

[B_and_D]

A prior post said 3/16.

I'm curious about the bends, did you use a machine to do that? Metal work is a mystery to me but our son is learning to do it (including welding). Would you be able to get a machine shop to do the bends?

[Bill]

B_and_D -

Flat sheet metal is bent using a tool called a bending brake. It is basically a rectangular steel table that is cut in half the long way. The two halves are attached to each other with a sturdy hinge. You put the sheet metal on the table with the desired bend line at the break between the halves, and clamp it down with a steel bar at the bend line so it can't move. Then you pivot the other half of the table up, and the sheet metal bends nicely along the edge of the bar. Most brakes will let you bend to any angle up to 90 degrees.

A quick visit here should make it clearer

http://toolmonger.com/2007/10/06/give-yourself-a-brake/

You can see a couple simple brakes at Harbor Freight, though I don't think they have enough capacity to bend 3/16 aluminum.

At any rate, any metalworking class, or shop, will have a brake. It is one of the simplest tools - and MUCH simpler than welding. Ask your son about it. He might even be able to bend your sheet in his classroom.

Bill

As noted, I specified 3/16 aluminum. A metal shop did the fabrication. Although the basic box can be made with a brake, I added a back brace that runs vertically between the black and gray water pipes and is screwed to the frame. This part was welded on which I did not have the tools to do myself.

I also used nylon washers anywhere steel would touch aluminum to reduce galvanic corrosion. This included behind each screw hole where the aluminum box could touch the steel trailer frame. Perhaps not necessary, but 12v electric current passes through the trailer frame and galvanic corrosion was a possibility.

They charged me $150. $70 of that was the aluminum. It fit beautifully and will pay for itself the first time it blocks tire or road debris.

[B_and_D]

To me, that seems like a really great deal! They could probably make some more of them and sell them to people with TrailManors, I'd buy one. When we put ours on I thought that the hardest thing was jacking up the trailer to get it off of the metal supports. It's been quite a while since we did ours.

Interesting... I posted a picture of my cage and the diagram on Trailmanor's Facebook page. Sales asked me to send them a copy of my diagram.

Plumbing cages for new trailers? Who knows.

It's not a new idea by any means. Mine is just the latest iteration.

[hillbillyhotel]

Hi yas misterp
would luv to have that diagram also, i have already been to my rental shop, his metal break not heavy enough, was going to try to do one like yours also, if you would be so kind to share ,
tks in advance

Originally Posted by hillbillyhotel

Hi yas misterp
would luv to have that diagram also, i have already been to my rental shop, his metal break not heavy enough, was going to try to do one like yours also, if you would be so kind to share ,
tks in advance

See post #43, click the link.

[hillbillyhotel]

See post #43, click the link

TKS SIR
DAA , WAS SO BUSY LOOKING AT THE PIC,,, COULD NOT SEE THE WOODS FOR THE TREES

[Craigrrr]

Originally Posted by Speckul8r

This has been brought up several times but I thought I'd show you my version that I made b4 our last trip. It's made out of 1" X 1" angle from Lowe's cut, bent and welded to 2 - 45 degree angles and 1 - 90. The plate is Stainless Steel .060" thick liberated from a outside conveyor belt motor cover that we dismantled at a friends house. (Anybody need a 3HP reversible electric motor w/ controls and gear head?) I bolted the front to the support behind the wheel and the rear was bolted to the frame on the inside, after it had been drilled and tapped, and the torsion bar plate on the outside. Bolts are all SS and nuts are all SS Nylock.

I was a bit concerned over the ground clearance but, after 3300+ miles, there is no sign that it had dragged. Even going thru the construction in Chicago with their numerous tank traps.

Hope it never gets tested but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Great blow out cage, I believe I am going to make one, no more taking chances without . DO you have the dimensions of the length of angle iron for each section?