I'm wondering how comparable X gauge of stainless tubing is verses the same gauge of carbon steel... and what grade of stainless might be up to the task.
I want to make a cargo rack for my Jeep so in other words what gauge would you recommend for a rack (safari style roof rack with four mounting points on the lower part of the jeep (rear frame cross member in the back and lower windshield hinges in the front) that has to support a few hundred pounds. under varying load and flex while driving. I'll be using it for a canoe, gas can, camping stuff; that sort of thing. Is there a rule of thumb for what gauge SS you can substitute for carbon to get comparable strength? Also what thickness and type of SS would you recommend for a swingout spare carrier with single mounting point roller bearing hub attached to a beefed up rear cross member (replaced the stock 1/8th thick cross member with 1/4"). I don't want to go heavier than I really need, but on the other hand it needs to be a little oversized/over engineered for ruggedness.