Adding D rings to a trailer

This is how I would do them.
A little more work,but then their not in the way of the rub rail.

 

I like the first picture but I'm confused on the second picture. It doesn't look like there is much room to hook anything there. My eyes may be deceiving me.

 

They pull up

 

I see now. I like that idea. Those would be even less in the way then the first picture when it comes time to sweep off the deck.

 

You're right... A 1.5" pipe, 1/4" wall, 2" long, securely welded between two plates that will not move, would be plenty strong. Question is, what are you using for those two plates? And... how and where would you attach them?

I can't see how those D-Rings are attached... I'm assuming they have a support spanning two of the cross beams (4" beams, or 3" channels?) underneath. If that is correct, they will be pretty stout. There is no twisting when you're pulling on them. If they are simply welded to a plate that covers the inside opening of the channel, you will get the same twisting of the channel when you load them. I wouldn't walk away from them... I would run.

A pipe spool mounted between the channel and rubrail will twist the center of the channel when too much force is put on it, assuming that nothing has been put on the inside of the channel to support it. A chain wrapped around a stake pocket spans a much larger piece of the channel, and will twist the whole channel itself, unless that stake pocket is centered on one of the cross beams (4" beams, or 3" channels?) to stop it from twisting.

You could easily mount a D-Ring on the outside of the channel, as long as the channel is supported inside to keep it from twisting.

All of this is assuming that you are not going to use that 110v harbor freight welder... If you're not a certified welder, I would highly recommend getting certified. It doesn't take long, and it doesn't cost much (at least it didn't 25 years ago!). A certification in itself doesn't mean much, but it will at least confirm to yourself, that you know what you're doing.

 

Why not just take out the outside boards off of your floor and go from there?

 

I saw an ATS 53' stepdeck with sliding winches and "D - Rings" mounted on both side of the trailer. The d-rings and the winches alternate on the same slide rails. Pretty cool.