Steve 1

The thing here is Not to Copy a metal trailer , The carbon fiber needs some engineering applied
on transferring the anticipated loading around and a robust safety factor , Remember : strength and rigidity are different properties as for the UV there are many systems claiming to work !

Interceptor

So true, a carbon trailer could end up looking significantly different than a conventional tube/frame trailer.
ed

Keith Atlanta

I went to Composites 2013 this year in Orlando. They had a collegiate contest for building truss structures in numerous classes such as tube, truss and sandwich. They did chit with a 4 foot span that held thousands of pounds out of what seemed to be toothpicks and bubble gum. (very minimal amounts of carbon fiber and laminates)

The trailer has numerous different options with square tube or I beam carbon fiber. Engineering mechanical properties like the Boeing 787 fuselage and wings isnt an option since it requires a tape machine in the $250M range - so that is out... Several other prepregs are not realistic either as the require an autoclave. I beam or tubular is the only realistic way. The ramp rash isnt an issue either as it would only require a few skid plates.

Keith Atlanta

http://element6composites.com/applic...sses-beams.asp

This would make it easier.

Interceptor

I'd make it out of weldable unobtanium.
ed

NASCAT

Unobtanium gets us in trouble, NASCAR says it has to be available to everyone.

happy hours

I have done a fair amount of CG design and analysis as part of my job and like a couple people have said, CF trailer makes zero sense. Put some of that made in china fake carbon graphit sticker on a aluminum one and call it good.

Cole2534

iTrader: (1)

Titanium would be neat though, adios corrosion issues.

32hustlin

Forget the trailer, I want to see someone do a boat with exposed cf hull. Maybe some silver or gold leaf striping to finish it off.

soldier4402

cost would be horrendous. Then factor in repair if needed. I mean if the thing gets cracked or scraped its nothing some the average joey could repair at home or run down to local welder. I would think if you had something that broke pretty badly you might have to buy a new one. The upside would be the thing could last forever, no rust or anything. But then again whos going to keep a boat that the trailer is made for forver? So the cost would not outweigh the benefits. Plus you have to figure now when composites are used they usually maried up with metals of some sort.