Flatbed rollcage tubing question...

[BigOrange90Jimmy]

Is there anything wrong with building it out of square tubing? I'm trying to keep it as cheap as possible, so if it'll be fine using this material, that'd be great. Let me know what you think.

 

[BigOrange90Jimmy]

btt

 

[Fubeca]

If you really want it to be a rollcage you shouldn't use square tubing.

Round tubing has the same strength characteristics all the way around the tube. Square tubing has different strength profiles depending on where the force is applied.

If you ever roll you don't know where the force will be exerted on the tubing -- round tubing will react the same way no matter where the force comes from. Square tubing will be very strong in certain situations and less strong in others.

For safety, I'd stick with round tubing if you want it to protect something in a roll.
If its just to be a rack for the flat bed square tubing should be ok.

 

[ntsqd]

What he said. Square or rectangular can be better than round, but only when you have control of how the loads will be applied to it. You don't have that control in a roll bar/cage.

If you really want it to be a rollcage you shouldn't use square tubing.

Round tubing has the same strength characteristics all the way around the tube. Square tubing has different strength profiles depending on where the force is applied.

If you ever roll you don't know where the force will be exerted on the tubing -- round tubing will react the same way no matter where the force comes from. Square tubing will be very strong in certain situations and less strong in others.

For safety, I'd stick with round tubing if you want it to protect something in a roll.
If its just to be a rack for the flat bed square tubing should be ok.

 

[BigOrange90Jimmy]

Ok, I realized that I made a mistake. I should have clarified just a bit more.

I will have the interior cage for protection.

I was wondering if the square tubing would work as protection for my fuel cell and spare tire and whatever small amount of tools I will have back there?