Lippert frames
Been towing for 30 years, but never heard of a Lippert frame. Seems like most of the comments are negative.
So, what is a Lippert frame?
So, what is a Lippert frame?
Forum Discussion
hvac wrote:
Not sure if this comes through.
https://m.imgur.com/account/apWebWrecker/images/HYxGWAm
It goes to an imgur fault page for megmw photos wrote:
hvac wrote:
All of you need to look at how ATC does the entire frame and floor. All welded aluminum. Its expensive, but in my opinion well done.
Getting into aluminium is a whole 'nuther game indeed. Both of my horse trailers and my equipment trailer are steel, but I've pulled and used AL horse trailers. I've looked them over carefully and for sure, the engineering/design is at least "somewhat different" than steel trailers.
I have chosen steel for various reasons, but for sure it can be done well out of AL.
Not sure if this comes through.
https://m.imgur.com/account/apWebWrecker/images/HYxGWAmJBarca wrote:
Nicely done!Huntindog wrote:
John, I noticed something made out of wood attached to your frame. It appears to be able to swing down. What is that?
See here from June 2011. I still use it every campout. It has worked out well for me.
Ladder Rack Under Camper - (long lot's of pic's)
Thanks
JohnRalph Cramden wrote:
JBarca wrote:
I cannot find these thin H shapes "yet" in any hand book, but they do make them for the Manufactured Housing market. They call them MH beams or thin I beam. Here is one mill that makes them. So far that is the only mill I can find them on the web that does. I'm sure there are more, just I have not found them.
http://www.swvainc.com/housing.html
You will notice they offer a 10 x 8#/ft and a 10 x 9#/ft which I have and it has an area moment of inertia of 35.5 in.^4th.
Thanks for posting that link. Interestingly I think we have done some business with those guys in the past on something. I don't remember all of that stuff but my estimator will. I doubt you'll find any info on those MH beams in any bible, either printed or the net version. To me those are custom pieces. Maybe not so if you're a manufactured housing builder, but the website also seems to indicate they'll run those to order. I've got a fab guy I use for small stuff who used to be one of "the guys" at American Bridge. If it was made in the last 100 years and has published info he'll have it, or know where to get it lol. That's if he has not keeled over lately as he's about 85 but still going at it...I think.
On a side note reading through the company history, those WV guys may have been the inventors of the micro mini mill. Back in the day there were many here around Pittsburgh, not so much now days.
Hi Ralph, if by chance you can get any kind of info on these MH beams, I would be very interested in getting a copy etc. Your not going to find these in the Manual of Steel Construction...
The old guys who knew all this stuff... Yes, they are becoming fewer and fewer all the time. I'm getting closer to being in that category, retired but not quite close to his era.
I'm going to have to start looking close at the new campers on dealers lots for the welded H shape. I had not been looking for that so never paid too much attention. Now the new thing is 8" frame on 10,000# GVWR campers. I will never own one. 10" is the bare minimum in my book on anything in the 30 ft range. They keep cutting everything to the bare bones worse than they already were.
Thanks
JohnHuntindog wrote:
John, I noticed something made out of wood attached to your frame. It appears to be able to swing down. What is that?
See here from June 2011. I still use it every campout. It has worked out well for me.
Ladder Rack Under Camper - (long lot's of pic's)
Thanks
John- Many trailer makers build to minimum specs and nothing more. Anything above the minimum (whether it be frames, axles sizing, tires, etc) is lost dollars from their pocket. IMO, it's always better to over build instead of meeting minimum specs. Especially if being pulled down the road - where others are at safety risk as well...
When I build trailer frames, I use gussets in every inside corner. Over build, yes. Do I see gussets on may "factory bolt" trailers (including RV and utility trailers)? NO. If you love the trailer but hate its factory frame, take to a welding shop and get them to "improve" factory build - like using gussets. Might be worth it - if you plan to keep your trailer for 8+ years (like I do).
And if getting frame work done, replace its factory brake wiring with much better STAR design wiring using 10 gauge upgrade as well. All of my trailers with brakes have STAR design wiring and its much better than factory as well. hvac wrote:
All of you need to look at how ATC does the entire frame and floor. All welded aluminum. Its expensive, but in my opinion well done.
Getting into aluminium is a whole 'nuther game indeed. Both of my horse trailers and my equipment trailer are steel, but I've pulled and used AL horse trailers. I've looked them over carefully and for sure, the engineering/design is at least "somewhat different" than steel trailers.
I have chosen steel for various reasons, but for sure it can be done well out of AL.- All of you need to look at how ATC does the entire frame and floor. All welded aluminum. Its expensive, but in my opinion well done.
Huntindog wrote:
John, I noticed something made out of wood attached to your frame. It appears to be able to swing down. What is that?
Fold down ramp / support for the tote tank?Ralph Cramden wrote:
....snip...
It's neither here nor there, but I once had a long conversation with a broker over drinks about what Lipperts buyers look for when they go out shopping materials.....I won't go deeply into it, but will just say they apparently go looking for what others are not looking for, if you get my drift.
I've virtually no knowledge of all this stuff since I was just an end user of various material being a machinist. But to your above point, I had heard from a supplier when I was still working ( I retired in 2010 ) that one of the problems the industry was seeing was a lot of scrap iron coming out of India was of alloys that were at times inappropriate and substandard. Old scrapped ships etc. No idea how true it might have been, but when it comes to product out of places like that and china, my guess is anything is possible.
