Almost everyone is familiar with the traditional round U bolt that is used for attacking pipe, tubing and other round shapes to flat surfaces. However, there is also what is known as square bend U bolts that are extremely important in many types of fabrication.
The square bend of these types of U bolts corresponds to the typical round U bolt, except instead of forming a round shape there are two slightly rounded 90° angles at the top of each of the legs. The two bends and the straight center area of the bolt are not threaded, allowing them to snug down fully onto the surface of the object they hold.
Trailers
You will find a variety of different sizes and types of square bend U bolts on most trailers. This includes standard or general use flat trailers, box trailers, boat trailers, horse trailers as well as RVs and campers.
Metal tubing, often stainless steel or aluminum, is used to create the frames of the trailers. The square bend bolts are used to hold components and framing elements together. With different sizes, they fit over different sizes of square tubing or solid aluminum square bar to form a solid structural component.
You will also find these bolts used to attach components to trailers. This can include mounting winches, trailer suspension components or even attaching spare tires to trailer frames
These bolts may also be used in fabricating shelving units, equipment frames or other types of structures when the framing material includes square tube or bar.
Materials and Coatings
Depending on where the square bend U bolts are used, they may be made of stainless steel or a zinc coated steel. Both are a good option and provide good corrosion resistance to water and other chemicals.
The use of zinc coating tends to help to reduce the cost, but in some applications stainless steel with or without additional coating or finishes may be the best option to consider.
