Help with welding trailer layout

[bdog]

I bought a ready built welding trailer. I am trying to understand the logic of the bottle rack.

This is what it looks like in what I presume is the intended usage position.



If you pull a pin it folds flat like this. I presume this it to make loading and unloading the bottles easier?



Finally it can stand vertical like this but there is no way to secure it in this position.



I am thinking of welding the rack permanently in the vertical position. It doesn’t seem like it would be too hard to load that way, and it frees up a ton of space on the trailer.

I know the acetylene can’t lay flat but aside from that what am I missing on this setup? The manufacturer obviously put a lot of time, effort, and expense into making this rack pivot every which way but I can’t see what benefit it has over just being perfectly vertical.

[Silcodylo]

That is an odd design.. If your bottles are completely vertical, you have so much more usable space on the trailer.

[acourtjester]

Maybe it to ease the loading of cylinders from the side sliding them in the raise them for storage/transport in the trailer???

[bdog]

Maybe it to ease the loading of cylinders from the side sliding them in the raise them for storage/transport in the trailer???

I think that is why it lays flat but I’m not sure why they have it pin in the angled position vs vertical. This apparatus takes up half the trailer. I just like to think about things before I go and seriously modify them.

[whtbaron]

If I was going to permanently mount them upright (which makes more sense than on an angle), I would look seriously at mounting them along the outside perimeter on an electric jack. Just move them up and down like an elevator when you want to change them out. You're available real estate seems to be at the front beside the toolbox, but if you mount them there they should have some protection from flying stones.

[Roert42]

With bottles mounted in the rack do they stick out any?

If they do not stick out then maybe they intend for the bottles to be laying down when in transportation? To keep stray rocks from whacking them?

Have you tried simply calling the guys who built it?

[tapwelder]

I don't see any real advantage to having the bottles horizontal. Look like the same effort to manage them. However, you have to elevate both bottle vertical at once if on the rack. Not easy if you cannot access the opposite or middle of the trailer.

[bdog]

With bottles mounted in the rack do they stick out any?

If they do not stick out then maybe they intend for the bottles to be laying down when in transportation? To keep stray rocks from whacking them?

Have you tried simply calling the guys who built it?

I did try calling them they are still closed for the holidays or something.

They don't stick out any when vertical.

I can't remember the details but I know if you lay an acetylene bottle flat you need to stand it up for a certain amount of time before you use it. I don't think it would be good to drive to a job site with them flat, flip them up, and go right to work.

[bdog]

I don't see any real advantage to having the bottles horizontal. Look like the same effort to manage them. However, you have to elevate both bottle vertical at once if on the rack. Not easy if you cannot access the opposite or middle of the trailer.

I am with you. Standing two bottles up at once will be heavy.

[Broccoli1]

Looks like they off a trailer with the Rack fixed in the upright position too.

[Country Metals]

Seems like a good idea to the original owner, but in reality, not so useful.

Huge waste of space

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[snoopdogg]

I was approached today with a fuel tank/ skid/ welder project, on a trailer. I couldn't for the life of me remember why the bottles for the oxy/acet couldn't be layed flat, but should be at an angle. I thought acet had a diptube. Can someone explain? Is oxy ok flat? I need to be able to back it up with this customer, thanks.

[leightrepairs]

The danger using an acetylene cylinder laying on it side is that the acetone that the acetylene is dissolved in will come out with the gas. The tank is constructed with a porous filler in the tank and after the tank is on its side the acetone will migrate through the porous filler. I have nothing in writing to back this up but I am sure a google search will produce documentation.

https://ehs.princeton.edu/chemical-s...cols/acetylene

[123weld]

[QUOTE=bdog;8842871]I boug

I am thinking of welding the rack permanently in the vertical position. It doesn’t seem like it would be too hard to load that way, and it frees up a ton of space on the trailer.


i wouldnt even consider having them things standing up on the outer traffic side of a trailer/chintsy set-up, like that. if i had to use it, id strap them down flat during trans., and swivel at angle to use.