Substituting diamond plate for smooth steel?

[Tinhunter]

Long time lurker but I’ve never joined up to post a question. I’m doing a toter home conversion on an older Kentucky moving van trailer. We’re replacing the king pin plate due to rust damage. It’s a 50” x 102” x1/4” plate.

I had planned on ordering a sheet from our supplier, but 5x10 is a special order size and pretty pricey. However I already have a sheet of 5x10x1/4 diamond plate that’s smooth on the backside.

Any reason I couldn’t use this? The smooth side would be facing down to contact the fifth wheel plate. On the inside it would weld to several crossmembers and the perimeter.

I’ve read that steel DP can be more difficult to weld but never had issues on thinner material. It should also be a little stiffer than the smooth plate. I’d probably have to grind the diamonds off in some areas to get proper fit…Am I missing anything?

[Dale M.]

If you are welding to the "diamond" side I think you are going to have gap issues that will require a lot of filler material to get the welds you want.....

[MAC702]

I think it will work fine if you do the fitment as required. Like you say, it's just stiffer than necessary. I've welded lots of plate and haven't noticed a difference in weldability. I can't think of a good enough reason not to do it if that's what is much more easily available to you.

[Tinhunter]

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate the help!

[Tri Round Bars]

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[Douglas369]

Long time lurker but I’ve never joined up to post a question. I’m doing a toter home conversion on an older Kentucky moving van trailer. We’re replacing the king pin plate due to rust damage. It’s a 50” x 102” x1/4” plate.

I had planned on ordering a sheet from our supplier, but 5x10 is a special order size and pretty pricey. However I already have a sheet of 5x10x1/4 diamond plate that’s smooth on the backside.

Any reason I couldn’t use this? The smooth side would be facing down to contact the fifth wheel plate. On the inside it would weld to several crossmembers and the perimeter.

I’ve read that steel DP can be more difficult to weld but never had issues on thinner material. It should also be a little stiffer than the smooth plate. I’d probably have to grind the diamonds off in some areas to get proper fit…Am I missing anything?

Hey friend, Diamond plate is a suitable option for replacing king pin plates, but because of the elevated diamond design, welding diamond plate can be more difficult than welding smooth plate. You must employ the proper welding procedure and filler material in addition to grinding down the diamonds in the regions where you will be welding. Take your time, use the right preheat, and employ post-weld heat treatment because diamond plate can be more brittle than smooth plate.