Getting Close! KZ Sportsmen vs Spree?

Lynnmor wrote:
1) Generally speaking

2) Some models have welded three piece I-beam main frame rails that are extremely weak, look closely to see if they are of this construction and do not buy if it is.

That statement generally takes around 95% of everything off the table except for only the largest TTs and bumper pull THs, and a few select brands or trailers made prior to the late 80's. Nothing wrong with a machine welded beam thats engineered and sized correctly. A rolled beam is extremely weak if used incorrectly which is why a W44x335 might be used on a small bridge opposed to a W4x13.

With frames since Lippert became the major player, I would not worry about the machine welded main rail as much as I would the manual welds on all the other connections, and the size of the main rail as far as is it engineered to the correct size and gauge. An easy way to tell is look at the suspension attachment area. If they add tubes and a lot of gussets in those areas, that can be a sign of an undersized main rail.

I have had 3 different trailers with welded beams and no problems with any of them. Our current Rockwood has welded rails and they only have a 5-1/2" web with 2-1/2" flange. I questioned it until I looked at older models. They have used the same design for at least 10 years and I've only seen a few failures. Those were usually at the A frame attachment and most likely were due to owner abuse such as overloading, or bad welds in other areas done manually by Lippert.