Extending Trailer Frame to include tongue box
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:24 pm
I am looking for advice on teardrop trailer design and how to incorporate a tongue box.
In looking at most designs, if there is a tongue box, the tongue box sits on the trailer's tongue ie the triangluar cross members of the trailer. I understand some of this is from adding the tongue box late in the build process or limitations in the trailer length.
But what if you know in advance that you want a tongue box AND you are creating a custom trailer.
There is at least one design that has the tongue box integrated with the cabin.
Would you want the box to fit on the main part of the frame? (resolving flexing issue of the tongue relative to the main frame AND load on the tongue ).
Would you want the box to be integrated with the main cabin -- part of the floor and side walls into the front wall of the cabin ? One reason might be to eliminate any holes for bring wires into and out of the tongue box.
What does this do for the 60/40 rule? Is the tongue box part of length of the cabin?
My current thoughts for the tongue box are to hold one or more batteries, battery chargers, connection to towing vehicle, and solar panel charger; solar panel storage, maybe extension cords/hoses/etc. It most likely will not be the width of the cabin (5')
Still not sure where the main electrical distribution will be.
In the front has advantage of
lots of surface area (in my current design)
easy access ( not under cabinets or really low)
deep area -- 9-12" depending on curvature
short run from battery
long AC runs not a problem: a push on number of long wires whether in front or back; AC really does not care.
The front has the disadvantage of
long runs for several DC appliances
possibly more wires
lose some storage space -- but most likely could increase the rear storage.
The rear has advantage of
more traditional
shorter DC runs to most big appliances eg frig, water pump
The rear has the disadvantage of
longer run to the battery(s)
less layout area eg cabinets, etc in the way
possible issue with water
Looking for suggestions.
In looking at most designs, if there is a tongue box, the tongue box sits on the trailer's tongue ie the triangluar cross members of the trailer. I understand some of this is from adding the tongue box late in the build process or limitations in the trailer length.
But what if you know in advance that you want a tongue box AND you are creating a custom trailer.
There is at least one design that has the tongue box integrated with the cabin.
Would you want the box to fit on the main part of the frame? (resolving flexing issue of the tongue relative to the main frame AND load on the tongue ).
Would you want the box to be integrated with the main cabin -- part of the floor and side walls into the front wall of the cabin ? One reason might be to eliminate any holes for bring wires into and out of the tongue box.
What does this do for the 60/40 rule? Is the tongue box part of length of the cabin?
My current thoughts for the tongue box are to hold one or more batteries, battery chargers, connection to towing vehicle, and solar panel charger; solar panel storage, maybe extension cords/hoses/etc. It most likely will not be the width of the cabin (5')
Still not sure where the main electrical distribution will be.
In the front has advantage of
lots of surface area (in my current design)
easy access ( not under cabinets or really low)
deep area -- 9-12" depending on curvature
short run from battery
long AC runs not a problem: a push on number of long wires whether in front or back; AC really does not care.
The front has the disadvantage of
long runs for several DC appliances
possibly more wires
lose some storage space -- but most likely could increase the rear storage.
The rear has advantage of
more traditional
shorter DC runs to most big appliances eg frig, water pump
The rear has the disadvantage of
longer run to the battery(s)
less layout area eg cabinets, etc in the way
possible issue with water
Looking for suggestions.