Wing thickness

Looking at making a wing for my truck project. What thickness of aluminum should I use?

Depending on how big you make it, and how/where you mount & support the wing, you can usually use something in the .040-.050" to .080" thick range for different parts of the wing. IMO it's usually a good idea to go a little thicker on the spill plates (& adjustable wickerbill if used) vs the deck part just so the spill plates don't bend as easily when someone walking by bumps into them, or gets their shirt or coat snagged on them.

I plan to have an aluminum tonneau over the bed then the wing will extend 18" past the tailgate.

Will it have struts or no struts?

Something like this is what I am considering.

For us rednecks a 1/16 should fit the bill nice...the bends and side plates will help stiffen it up

HorsinAround wrote:Something like this is what I am considering.

IMO a wing with that much overhang past the end of the deck/bed needs to use some adjustable support struts/rods.

That could very well be the case, especially mounted on the tailgate where the panel metal isn't the thickest. I ordered the aluminum yesterday, so I will know more as it get it put together. I ordered enough material to include an adjustable wickerbill also. Now I just need to order the aluminum piano hinge and wickerbill adjusters.

Are screws normally used to put these together or are solid rivets used?

Most use a small button head Allen screw with lock nuts

Here's what I came up with

how about a pic from the back and side