· 6 min read
Steel profile
Formed channel and rectangular tube resist twisting better than angle iron of the same weight. Look at how the main rails transition into the tongue; a gusseted, fully welded joint is a good sign.
Crossmember spacing
Sixteen-inch centers keep decks flat under wheel loads and pallets. Twenty-four-inch centers save steel and money but flex noticeably under concentrated weight.
Weld quality
Consistent bead width, full-length welds instead of stitch welds at load-bearing joints, and clean grinding at corners all indicate a controlled production process rather than rushed fabrication.
Surface prep
Ask whether frames are shot blasted before coating. Powder coat over mill scale looks fine on the lot and fails within a couple of Texas summers.