Beam integrity with reinforced holes??

[idbdan]

Experience: 34 year CAD Technician in both Structural and Mechanical design. (AAS Mechanical) (CNC specialist)

I'm retired. Bought a motor home and planning a long trip. Salt water fishing addiction. I need to bring my boat and a mode of transportation. I need a trailer that carry's both.

Long story short, can't find a trailer manufacturer that will build it. Every one is too busy. So I had to design the trailer myself and found a local welder with high credentials & CNC capabilities to do the fabrication.

Because the loading varies with 'boat on' / 'trike off' and vice verse, the axle needs to be a sliding system to accommodate a moderately constant tongue weight. Hence my question.

The main frame member is a 5x2x.125 6061 T6 tube. The sliding axle clip requires drilling holes in the beam webs. I've reinforced the holes with a 2024 T3 .12 wall tube. The sliding system gives me a 2.25" increment move up to 24.75" total slide distance. I've attached a PDF with cuts from the axle area.

The loads are being distributed fairly equally along the beam through the cross members.
The total weight of boat and trike are 2k lbs.
The trailer frame members weigh approx 850 lbs.
Front deck adds 230 lbs the the frame weight.

It's the loading at the axles between the 2 fixed cross members (72") that I'm concerned with. I'm assuming that the floating cross member will reduce the loading at the holes down to a 40"+/- span of the 72" span?

Not looking for finite specifics. Just want to know if these reinforced holes pose a significant problem in the integrity of the beam web?? I am pretty assured the holes being used by the sliding clip will hold integrity, but I'm worried if the ones not being used will create a weak point?

Thinking??? Put a bolt/nut in all the holes? But that's an enormous cost for all that stainless steel! That's 52 locations. And the MMA adhesive is stronger than a bolt. I'm hoping that the staggered pattern and the 2024 T3 inserts will create a truss bridge style support in the web?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Dan

PS: Thank you very much for the 'Trailer Weight & Balance Calculator' Engineers Edge!! It made locating the axles a no brainer! Can I suggest that you add a tandem capability to that calculator? And more load points?

[jennas_qwena]

While stainless steel bolts and nuts can provide a reliable mechanical connection, your consideration of using MMA adhesive is interesting. Adhesives can distribute loads across a larger area and potentially minimize stress concentrations compared to bolts. However, proper surface preparation and adhesive selection are crucial for the success of this approach.

your approach of reinforcing the holes and considering load distribution is a thoughtful one. However, due to the safety implications of your design, I strongly recommend seeking professional engineering guidance and potentially conducting simulations to ensure the structural integrity and safety of your trailer design. Your commitment to safety and careful planning will contribute to a successful and reliable end result.

[klrahual77]

When reinforcing holes in beams, it's crucial to ensure the integrity of the beam structure is maintained. This involves careful engineering to avoid weakening the beam while accommodating the necessary reinforcements. Techniques such as using appropriate materials, strategic placement of reinforcements, and precise engineering calculations help maintain beam integrity while enhancing its load-bearing capacity. Consulting with structural engineers and adhering to relevant building codes are essential steps in ensuring the reinforced holes do not compromise the overall integrity of the beam.