A long time ago we had a Merc transporter with drop axle, cant remember who made it operated with hydraulics.
It dropped the rear to the ground
This was. the general idea but much more sophisticated
galooph
That's the type of thing we had but not so bulky more of the mechanism tucked away worked really well, especially when the wheels were shot we made a sort of skid with a PTFE backing you could winch up easily maybe PTFE or UHMWPE would be better than rollers for a demountable body
I have decided that aluminium may be a better idea so could anyone tell me what size aluminium channel would be sufficient.
i have taken into consideration what has been mentioned and im going to go with a conventional style body now as it gives a bit more manoeuvrability on different ground levels ect i have a picture of a design that im going to base mine on but from the pictures i cant really work out the channel size.
the aluminium channel would need to be able to support a maximum of 2500kg at 3500mm
no,i haven't asked and yes the working bit of it and all the sub frame bit is all galvanised steel but its the aluminium deck bit im trying to work out because im not sure what size it needs to be
on mine the two main centre channels are 50x150x5mm and the two outer channels are 50x100x5mm. the side to side supports etc.. are again made from 50x100x5mm C section. then it is all solid riveted together.
you could look at unistrut if you are trying to keep the cost/weight down.