Could you build a Carbon Fiber Trailer?
#21
Platinum Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful Fort Lauderdale www.cheetahcat.com
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 !
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 !
#22
Registered

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,008
Likes: 752
From: Traverse City, Michigan
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 !
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 !
ed
#23
Gold Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,748
Likes: 869
From: Delray Beach, FL
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.
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.
#24
Gold Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,748
Likes: 869
From: Delray Beach, FL
#27
Registered
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Saint Petersburg Fl
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.
#30
Registered
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Islands area
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.



