Wagon Building

Big G · Jul 5, 2009

When installing a wood flat bed on a four wheel wagon frame do both ends front and rear of the main beams of the bed get bolted to the running gear frame? Or do you just bolt one end front or rear to allow for some flexing? I"ve been working on restoring a wagon that I have put a flat wooden bed on and am not sure what to do on this situation. I have seen other wagons set up both ways, so what are your thoughts on this. Thanks for your input.

johndeeregene · Jul 5, 2009

i built a wagon ride cabin on a running gear, an i bolted all 4 corner of the main beams of the deck to the running gear, but i am not sure i would do it again cause there is no flex at all, the wheels on a corner will come up off the ground when goin over uneven ground. i think it adds alot of stress to the structure.
we call ours the redneck RV. it is a 12 foot cabin with a 8ft porch on it. the cabin has all screened in windows an roll up curtains. and a fold down staircase.
johndeeregene

Thresherman · Jul 5, 2009

I do not bolt any to the running gears. To much flexing will ruin the wagon. Just chain it front and back at opposite corners. Leave the chain a little loose, but not enought that the beams can come up above bolster supports.

This is just my way of doing it.

GordoSD · Jul 5, 2009

I bolted the rear stringers. and fitted a 4x4 between. Fitted a 4x4 very snug up front and screwed that into the stringers. Chained that to cross frame support.

Gordo

Zachary Hoyt · Jul 6, 2009

I have built wooden hay racks bolted on both ends and only on one, and as far as I can see it doesn't make much difference in flexibility.
Zach

rustyfarmall · Jul 6, 2009

Bolt the stringers solid at the rear only. Leave the front free to float.

Michael Soldan · Jul 6, 2009

There's different thoughts on this. All my wagons and hopper wagons are chained at opposite corners. This lets the running gear flex on uneven ground, but rack or hopper can't move very far, just enough to handle the flexing.

Oldmax · Jul 6, 2009

johndeeregene
Would like to see picture of your Red Neck RV.

Paul from MI · Jul 6, 2009

Either bolt or chain both back corners. Leave the front float. Never had a problem this way.
Paul

Dick L · Jul 6, 2009

I have always bolted the back and bolt a chain loose aroung the bolster at the front. Reason -- when I was doing custom baling with five bales high on the rear of a wagon going up a steep hill have the bed come up at the front and dump the loader and hay off the back. Happened twice and no one was hurt but would not hook to a wagon that didn't have a chain on the front after that.

tjdub · Jul 6, 2009

It seems like the wagons that I've had with bolts always end up breaking at the bolt hole. I'm a fan of using only chains plus scabbing on blocks to the bottom of the main stringers to keep the wagon from sliding off. If it don't bend (or float), it breaks.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 6, 2009

Gene, Do I get any credit for your Redneck RV? Mark...

Wagon Building

Big G

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johndeeregene

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Thresherman

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GordoSD

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Zachary Hoyt

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rustyfarmall

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Michael Soldan

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Oldmax

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Paul from MI

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Dick L

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tjdub

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Anonymous-0

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