Tie down ideas for expanded metal trailer deck?

[dyeager535]

This is a 4x8 deck homebrew utility trailer. Only picture I have of it online right now:

My main aim is to securely strap down a ~100 gallon ex-saddle tank.

Up until recently I've used 4x4x8's that ran the length of the trailer, and had a saddle for the tank to sit perpendicular to the trailer, with heavy ratchet straps into eye bolts that secured the tank to the 4x4's. But I've noticed as the roads have gotten worse, the momentum of the fuel can lift the 4x4's up, which is of course unsafe.

As it is, I don't have a lot to work with. The expanded metal of course has no real strength. The small cross braces I'd be skeptical that they would hold as anchor points. Either the welds (only one edge is welded as the "spine" is round tube) or that they might fold with concentrated force.

I need to keep the sides on it so I can transport other stuff at the same time, so anchor points along the outside perimeter are out.

In my mind I have a vague vision of something that is pretty flat/rounded so it can stay in place when I use it for other tasks, and has a lot of positions so tie down points could be moved for things such as motorcycles and what not.

I'm kind of thinking of something along the lines of fifth wheel hitch rails. Only mounting idea for something along those lines I can come up with is if they ran width-wise and were welded to the bed edges which are angle iron. Something like that could be run front to rear, but I can't see how to anchor it so it isn't stressing welds at only the ends of the 8' span.

Perhaps you guys are familiar with some product that could be adapted or is made for this purpose?

 

[Fastereddie]

What if you added runs of square tubing underneath and thread removable eyebolts into it when needed?

 

[HankScorpio]

I have seen some pretty impressive stuff using E-track. lots of accessories slot into it and when welded down its pretty tough. Its not very heavy and low profile.

 

[dyeager535]

Appreciate the suggestions!

I love the expanded metal, but it does make projects like this tough.

E-track looks pretty cool, the way the eyelets and what not lock in would seem to be pretty versatile and strong enough for my uses, and those type accessories seem well suited for what I want to do with it. Not terribly expensive, pretty thorough kits for $150.

I am guessing the only way I'd get any strength lengthwise though, would be to weld some steel over top of the expanded metal, tying into the support underneath, then weld the e-track to those to keep the track from flexing under load.

 

[imiceman44]

Appreciate the suggestions!

I love the expanded metal, but it does make projects like this tough.

E-track looks pretty cool, the way the eyelets and what not lock in would seem to be pretty versatile and strong enough for my uses, and those type accessories seem well suited for what I want to do with it. Not terribly expensive, pretty thorough kits for $150.

I am guessing the only way I'd get any strength lengthwise though, would be to weld some steel over top of the expanded metal, tying into the support underneath, then weld the e-track to those to keep the track from flexing under load.

Another way would be to sandwich the expanded metal with the e-trac and Another plate or strap.
I believe e-trac has bolt holes every 6 or 8 inches.
And that way it's reversible if you ever want to.
And you can get some decent prices at Harbor freight, I bought some tracks, some straps, ring connections foe pretty cheap.
Track is 5'

 

[dyeager535]

Another way would be to sandwich the expanded metal with the e-trac and Another plate or strap.
I believe e-trac has bolt holes every 6 or 8 inches.
And that way it's reversible if you ever want to.
And you can get some decent prices at Harbor freight, I bought some tracks, some straps, ring connections foe pretty cheap.
Track is 5'

I saw that stuff at Harbor Freight, kind of thinking 8' would be a bit more useful since it would run the entire length of the bed? It would make attaching the ends of the track a bit easier too I would expect, since the bed frame perimeter is angle iron. And there would be more flexibility for tying down other things I've hauled before instead of just the tank.

I suppose with spacers (to keep the e-track flange from bending downward) a plate across the underside of the expanded metal with bolt holes would make it easier to change the width of the track if ever necessary.

I haven't vetted any manufacturers, but I'm seeing kits with plenty of anchors and 8' track for under $150, so I don't feel its an expensive option.

 

[imiceman44]

I saw that stuff at Harbor Freight, kind of thinking 8' would be a bit more useful since it would run the entire length of the bed? It would make attaching the ends of the track a bit easier too I would expect, since the bed frame perimeter is angle iron. And there would be more flexibility for tying down other things I've hauled before instead of just the tank.

I suppose with spacers (to keep the e-track flange from bending downward) a plate across the underside of the expanded metal with bolt holes would make it easier to change the width of the track if ever necessary.

I haven't vetted any manufacturers, but I'm seeing kits with plenty of anchors and 8' track for under $150, so I don't feel its an expensive option.

Oh it's not expensive for what you'd be getting

 

[dyeager535]

I definitely appreciate you guys turning me onto the e-track. Just not something I've dealt with before on my little baby trailer, whereas I bet people with larger trailers that get used more often have known about it for a long time. It does seem like a great idea/product.

 

[Wes Harden]

@K5Devil put it in his band van

 

[imiceman44]

I definitely appreciate you guys turning me onto the e-track. Just not something I've dealt with before on my little baby trailer, whereas I bet people with larger trailers that get used more often have known about it for a long time. It does seem like a great idea/product.

People are using them for everything now.
Motorcycle trailers especially.
I have them in one of my semi trailers and it's nice and versatile

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Possibly weld some plate into the corners, where the ribs and ends come together.

 

[dyeager535]

Possibly weld some plate into the corners, where the ribs and ends come together.

I'm not envisioning where you are talking about...can you explain it a bit more? Thanks!

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Not a great mspainter... but use a plate underneath in the corner - it will both reinforce the corner and give a solid-ish mount for a d-ring or whatever.. in the pic the red square would be the plate.

 

[dyeager535]

Gotcha! I see what you are saying. Yeah, that could make it a lot easier.

I'm kind of surprised someone hasn't come out with heavy duty E-track...I was imagining a "boxed" version. You'd still need to anchor it, but I would think it would give a fair bit more rigidity so you could space the anchor points out a bit more.

All I could find for any of it is that its 12 gauge stuff, about a 1/10th of an inch.

 

[imiceman44]

Gotcha! I see what you are saying. Yeah, that could make it a lot easier.

I'm kind of surprised someone hasn't come out with heavy duty E-track...I was imagining a "boxed" version. You'd still need to anchor it, but I would think it would give a fair bit more rigidity so you could space the anchor points out a bit more.

All I could find for any of it is that its 12 gauge stuff, about a 1/10th of an inch.

The e-track is actually pretty strong because it's not flat, the section is like a hat so it's plenty strong.
I had 2000lbs roller racks attached to these tracks and they hold up fine.
As long as the track is attached solid every 6or 8inches on either side it's good to go

 

[dyeager535]

Ok, thanks, that gives me an idea of what I'll have to do to secure it.

Probably just going to need to run angle iron between the existing tubing. I'd knock them out and replace them but pretty sure the expanded metal is welded to them in multiple spots.

Cutting angle iron and welding in place between the tubing will likely be the simplest solution.

I suppose if the cross braces are close enough together I could weld the e-track to the expanded metal as long as the extanded metal is welded to the support (which it is in multiple spots) in the same spot, but that would make removal a real pain if ever needed.

 

[imiceman44]

Ok, thanks, that gives me an idea of what I'll have to do to secure it.

Probably just going to need to run angle iron between the existing tubing. I'd knock them out and replace them but pretty sure the expanded metal is welded to them in multiple spots.

Cutting angle iron and welding in place between the tubing will likely be the simplest solution.

I suppose if the cross braces are close enough together I could weld the e-track to the expanded metal as long as the extanded metal is welded to the support (which it is in multiple spots) in the same spot, but that would make removal a real pain if ever needed.

That could work well but sandwiching the mesh and bolting is reversible

 

[dyeager535]

That could work well but sandwiching the mesh and bolting is reversible

Yep. I'd much prefer to have it reversible/movable/replaceable.

What does anyone think about running four tracks, evenly spaced, length wise? Two along the outer edge, two more towards the center line? Would need to worry less about adjustability I figure.

It has removable sides that are maybe 18" tall, not sure how much use I'd get out of track that far out since the sides will usually be in place. But since some of the kits come with four 96" tracks, it wouldn't cost much more. Plus the outside edges would be easier to anchor to since it's already a full run of angle iron.

Outside of the fuel tank only things I can remember hauling that I really wanted to tie down are a golf cart and motorcycle.

I guess I have a 55 gallon diesel drum that stands upright too hauled at the same time as the gas tank, being able to strap that drum directly down to the trailer deck would also be handy.

 

[joshuak]

Late to the party, but another fan of e trac here. Two full lengths down the middle and couple shorter sections straddling the wheel well, for adjustability just like you mentioned.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

That truck looks interesting, I'd like to see more if it.