Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Yes the trailer dolly works well. I can get it backed into the side yard most of the way with the Tacoma. The drive slopes up from the street too much to do that all by hand. The concrete beside the garage is nearly level in the fire / aft direction. The hand dolly makes it easier to wiggle it over closer to the fence without fear of damaging the trailer or the fence. I made it hoping it would work with the CT. The vertical center of the ball is fractionally to wards the handle. That puts just enough weight over center to put a little weight on the caster wheel. It makes it easier to use. If the trailer jack is left down with just a little ground clearance an upward tug drops the trailer jack foot to the ground.

I should have one.
You will not mind if I copy your design will you?
Bob

Heck no! Help yourself.

I used 13x5.00 wheels/tires meant for use with a 3/4" axle. Found on amazon as I didn't like the HF offerings at the time. They are pneumatic, not solid or run flat types. The tube between the wheels is 1" square 11 gauge steel. A 3/4" bolt fits inside that size steel tube with a little file work on the weld inside the tube. I bought some 8" x 3/4 grade 5 bolts, cut the heads off and inserted them in the tube. A flat washer was welded to the axle as a stop for the wheel bearing to ride up against. I used nylock nuts; good enough for a slow speed service as this. The tire track is 22" measured from the center of one tire tread to the others centerline. 15" from axle centerline to the caster pivot.

Most of the steel was scrap left overs. The ball is welded to a piece of inner receiver tube. It fits into an outer receiver tube. Holes drilled to adjust height. I used a 1 7/8 ball. It works with a 2" coupler well enough for the purpose. The caster is from HF. The handle is removable just because I could. I've never removed it since painting it and reassembling.


Some day I may build a motorized one. I have plans and parts list but figure it'll cost $3-400 in parts so I'm in no rush unless I decide I need to push it up the sloped driveway. Uses an ATV winch for power and ATV wheels/tires for traction grip.

Thanks, I am copying these instructions now for future use.
Bob

I meant to add that a good way to weld the bolt in the square tube is to drill a few holes through the square tube first. I drilled two 5/8" holes for each end. Insert the bolt to the depth required... double check with all washers in place and the nylock nut on with a couple threads showing. Weld the bolt to the tubing through the hole. Works best (strongest) to start in the center of the hole on the bolt, then work circular out to the edge of the hole in the tubing. That gets the most heat into the bolt for good penetration.

Nice CT! Looking forward to your build.
Earnest

Hi Don.
Great looking trailer, your going to have fun with that one.!!

Tim

I love it when someone says "can I copy your design" and the person being asked not only says go for it but then puts in the dimensions and what they might need or directs them where to go for the needed information.
What a great place, the rest of the world could learn a lot if they paid attention to all of you

Aw shucks...

Love it!!!!

Oh and thanks again Don for the follow-up inputs. Definitely saving this.

Sorry Jerry. It is Friday and it's not done. But I do have a load of 1" and 2" polyiso to start with

MtnDon, Howdy;

Wow!!! You've actually got a trailer to haul stuff for the New Trailer ...
Careful ... or you'll spoil the new fella.

hank

hankaye wrote:
Wow!!! You've actually got a trailer to haul stuff for the New Trailer ...

Hank. It's been very handy and has repaid it's cost multiple times over. We've had it since 1978. It has seen a lot of work, a lot of miles. It's an all welded steel body; 49" x 97". The paint was new about a month or so ago.

Some progress, or proof that I have been working on the project.

The first layer of Johns Manville polyisocyanurate insulation (1") has been cut and inserted / sealed in place; ceiling and walls. Voids filled with great stuff.







That's a 21 gallon waste (gray water) collection tank for those times we are in or close enough to civilization to not be able to let it out on the ground. No black water as we will be using a portable toilet when there is nothing available in the camping area.



It is just sitting there on wood clamped to the frame to get an idea of how things will go together. Note, that is NOT where the shower will be located. See previous floorplan; (it will be located on the left partly over the section where the gray water tank is located.


FWIW, the documents from the purchase indicate the shipping weight of the trailer was 1050 pounds.

You have made a lot of progress. Looks really good I started with the porta potty also later I ended up installing an rv toilet. I like it better now. Some times it is a long walk to the facility's in the middle of the night