Darkhorse Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Ok, I never claimed to be smart and sometimes when its been a long day I tend to correlate things in the wrong ways. As is the case tonight. I am pondering the steel plate for an HDT hitch. Most hitches for our applications say from 3/4" to 1" steel. I have a fairly long 1/2" sheet of steel and am wondering if cutting it in half and welding it together is worse/better/same as 1' thick solid plate. Now before I get to beat up this is my thinking: I come from an aviation background (Helicopters for the most part) and the mast assemblies and drive shafts are hollow. Not only does hollow save weight but the reason is for more surface area. Surface area = greater strength. Even though the plate is welded together there is still more "surface area" though the effect isnt applied in the same manner. However a lot of manufacturing is done with wafers and layers to improve overall strength in many applications these days, rope is twined out of several smaller threads...am I looking at this the wrong way? So bottom line, can I double up the 1/2" or I need a solid 1" sheet? 2006 Peterbilt 387 -2013 Dutchmen Voltage 3950 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 2 plates welded together is very strong. Stronger????? We do it a lot in construction. Never a problem. 1/2 is a lot more common than 1". If I had 1/2, I would use it. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybanshee Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I have mine mounted on a 1/2" plate for twelve years without any problems. 2007 Volvo 780 Ultrashift Trailersaver Hitch 2017 Momentum 397th 3 Yamaha Banshees 2 Honda 400EX's Polaris Outlaw 50 Polaris Outlaw 110 EFi 2018 Polaris RZR S 1000 Stealth Black 2019 Polaris RZR S 1000 Titanium Matte Metal 2015 Polaris RZR S 900 VooDoo Blue https://i.imgur.com/e0ajU8Pl.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I agree. That short a piece of 1/2" plate would be very strong. also you will be putting angle iron under it to bolt to chassis which will strengthen it more. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 A 1/2 inch plate of steel is fine. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I would be concerned with rust between the plates long term. Mine is on a 1/2" plate - been towing 10 years with no issues. Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkhorse Posted May 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Well that works for me, if a half inch is good it makes it all the better. 2006 Peterbilt 387 -2013 Dutchmen Voltage 3950 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 The 1/2" will be fine. The hollow issue works with round items. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 1/2 inch here also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 As others have said, 1/2" plate is the typical mount. The only time people might want to use more dimension is if you are trying to add weight. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 An ET comes mounted on a 5/8 plate, for most other hitches 1/2 inch alone should be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 I have mine mounted on a 1/2" plate for twelve years without any problems. Thanks just crazy. Couldn't resist Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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