• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Square tubing vs round tubing


99RangerKrazy

99RangerKrazy

Active Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,122
Reaction score
3
Points
38
Age
34
Location
Kennewick, WA
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
Hey everyone...I'm going to start working on my flatbed soon, made of square tubing. Now I was going to tie in a roll bar (not a light bar, but a legit roll bar) into the flatbed. Now are there structural advantages/disadvantages of using square tubing instead of round tubing for the roll bar? I like the look of the square tubing better than round, mainly because of the boxy front end of the Ranger, and the flatbed will also be made of square tubing. I ask mainly because all roll bars I've ever seen were made of round tubing.Thanks in advance
 


merc2dogs

New Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2008
Messages
52
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
grand rapids michigan
Vehicle Year
92
Make / Model
explorer sport
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
Round tube is normally stronger than square, easier to bend, and easier to work with in a factory environment.

Square is normally easier to work at home for the typical car freak, but is more labor intensive. A bend is easier to do 'at home' by cutting a series of slots, bending and welding it back up. (unless you have one of those multimillion dollar home shops everyone dreams about!)

As with anything you can easily size it to match the job, and if you go with rectangular tubing you can orient it to put the strength where you need it.

My view is that either one will work fine, so whichever fits best with your plans is great.

Ken.
 
4x4junkie

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
10,755
Reaction score
583
Points
113
Location
So. Calif (SFV)
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9L V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
35x12.50R15
I think the majority of people think the round looks better, and is probably why you always see round (round seems easier to bend in a tube bender as well).

As for strength, I think the square might be a bit more resistant to denting on the corners, but less so on the sides than round tube. Resistance to bending may be slightly better too as I believe 2" sq. will have a bit more mass to it than say 2" round.

Overall I don't see a structural reason to avoid it IMO.
 
JohnnyU

JohnnyU

"Outlaw"
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
4,291
Reaction score
8
Points
0
Location
Chillicothe, Illinois
Vehicle Year
2008
Make / Model
Chevrolet
Engine Size
Ls2
Transmission
Automatic
For every cut and mitered/rewelded joint in the square tubing, you should use a "fish plate" over the sides of the joint. Adding a bit of extra plating on the inside and outside of the 'bend' wouldn't hurt either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Total: 528 (members: 11, guests: 517)

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

Hunters
20240409_190831.jpg
20240409_190818.jpg
20240409_180824.jpg
20240409_182648.jpg
20240409_181010.jpg
20240408_175026.jpg
99 Ranger
20200706_161414.jpg
20240207_155117.jpg
20240207_155111.jpg
20240207_154537 - Copy.jpg

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top