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Txsurfer's avatar
Txsurfer
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017

Want to make a Gen slide - how thick of Alum plate?

OK so I am going to make a generator slide for my portable. I would like to use Alum for the tray bottom. Is this a bad idea? If not what thickenss to support 100lbs spanning 24"s. Bear in mind most of the load will be close to the slides or on the edges where the rubber feet are. I bought some 500# locking slides off Ebay and will use angle iron to attach the slides and tray.

29 Replies

  • Txsurfer wrote:
    Thanks I like the idea of wood but I think that the added thickness won't work. I wish somebody made prefabbed alum or steel trays..


    How much clearance is there 'right now'
    Between the top of the champ and the compartment ceiling
    It looked pretty good in the picture in the other thread

    Place the angle iron L shaped, bottom down not up, for your tray supports
    The tray between the slide rails, not above the rails
  • pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    I'd use wood, or I would leave the bottom open and just secure the generator to a sliding "square" of angle iron.


    I would go this way too. You could go with a cross angle iron with unequal legs 2X4 instead of 2X2 to carry your generator.
  • Go to a metal fabricator in your area and tell him want your needs are. You may want to take the unit to him.
  • Look in your phone book for sheet metal fabricating shops in your area. They can make any size tray you want out of aluminum or steel.
  • Thanks I like the idea of wood but I think that the added thickness won't work. I wish somebody made prefabbed alum or steel trays..
  • Hi,

    I'd use wood, or I would leave the bottom open and just secure the generator to a sliding "square" of angle iron.
  • I just redid mine last week after almost 7 years use
    I used new 5/8 plywood, placed a piece of 1/2 angle iron across the front each between the two slides, to aid in preventing any bowing of the wood
    And a section of Gray colored floor fatigue mat on top of the wood
    It aids in preventing generator 'walking' during heavy load start up, and vibration damping, if you want to use Alu plate, i would put wood on top
    Better softer sounds damping, vibration etc..
  • Aluminum isn't bad by any means, it's just soft. You may need to reinforce it underneath with some angle iron to keep it from bowing even if most of the weight is on the sides where the feet are. Considering a MH doesn't just sit there, it bounces down the road, and those roads aren't getting any better, I'd say you will need a piece of 1/2" to keep it from bowing. A piece of 3/4" plywood and some paint would be a lot cheaper and look good also.

    Bill

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