What gauge 2” box for trailer ramp project

[Bradleys]

I am building a bi-fold trailer ramp for a motorcycle trailer. Each section will be ~ 78 x 36... I am planning on using 2” box for the outside frame with 2” angle for interior support structure, similar to the one in the attached picture.

so the question: what gauge box tube should I purchase for this project?

I want it sturdy, but no need for overkill - it will never have more than one 800 pound bike on it at a time.

[Hunter55]

I recommend 16 gauge if you are a skilled welder, if not then go with 14 gauge. 16 gauge will burn thru much quicker. If You are using a stick welder then go with 11 gauge.

[Bradleys]

It will be either Flux core or MiG - building it outside so I will likely keep the machine as currently setup with Flux Core wire.

i would say I am an intermediate welder - so 14 sounds good to me.

thanks!

[MAC702]

That sounds like good advice. The 2" square 16-ga will do the job, but the 14-ga isn't much more expensive, will be stronger, and will be noticeably easier to weld.

[Bradleys]

I wanted to stop back by and say thanks for the advice - project is done but for paint...

It is heavy, but with the spring assist hinges I used, it can still be put up and brought down by one man.

This was absolutely the largest project I have taken on with my welder, but it was a lot of fun and came out just as I planned. We won’t have to monkey around with ramps to load and u load our big bikes anymore.

[Dale M.]

Ummmm .... Care to explain this picture......

[Bradleys]

Lol... I knew someone was going to ask about that, and you are going to love this! I am running flux core in my welder, i am not using solid core mig w/ gas for this job.

That is a bottle of 100% CO2 that I use to refill my wife’s soda stream and that is where it lives for lack of a better place.

when I posted that photo, I noticed the upside down bottle and thought: yeah, that is going to raise a few eyebrows in this crowed!

[MAC702]

You totally should have come up with a much better story that would really have us wondering how crazy you are.

[Bradleys]

It’s for the new inverted gas penetrating shielded flow arc welding... you haven’t heard of that? It’s all the craze in California! lol

[MAC702]

That's mo better!