I want to start covering the 16' between my containers. I found a bunch of sheet steel decking at bargain basement prices, but want to make some A frame trusses both to hold up the sheets, and to form a hanger for a hoist that will lift no more than 500#. Mostly for things too big for me to load and unload from my pickup. For bigger things, I am building a dock.
I am thinking of using 3 x 3 x .120" square tubing for the main two trusses, then make some smaller ones out of 2" square, as they will only be holding up sheeting. The center of the peak will only be about two feet vertical. Between the two 3 x 3 trusses, I want to make a 8' I beam dolly so I can lift something up, and load or unload it without having to back the truck up.
I would weld it directly to the top of the containers, either at some strong points there, or lay a long beam or I beam to get a strong base.
Do you think this would be safe for center point lifting of no more than
500#? Or should I beef up the center load section? I also have a little height, so could vee it down additionally to peaking it, and add that horizontal compression stiffener. I can also add several diagonal stiffeners in there just for GP.I tend to overengineer things, but I like to make it about 3x swl.
Thanks
Steve
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