Frame Tutorial

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Frame Tutorial

Postby Nitetimes » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:13 pm

Well here it is. The thing everyone has been asking about for so looooong. (seems like it anyway) :lol: :lol:

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Doug and I have finally put the finishing touches on the Frame Building Tutorial, with some editing help from Steve (sdtripper2).

If you'd like to take a look it's here http://www.teardroptrailers.us/Trailer.html.

Keep in mind that this is not a set of plans for building a frame because everyones needs tend to be different. It is just intended to give you a basic working knowledge of how to figure out your frame dimensions and the process of putting it together.
We will probably be adding information to it in the form of updates from time to time. If there is an update added it will be mentioned on the site and probably here too.
I'm sure Doug will comment here when he gets back.

Let's have all your comments and questions. Please try to keep it civil tho :lol: Remember, neither of us are writers. :lol: :lol:
Last edited by Nitetimes on Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby mikeschn » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:21 pm

Rich and Doug,

Thank you so much for that tutorial. I'll be adding you to the menu if that's okay with you! ;)

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Postby Nitetimes » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:23 pm

Add away Mike. :lol:

Just hoping it will help some people out.



.
Rich


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Postby madjack » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:08 pm

...excellent job...Y'ALL...it should give a good view to what is needed to come up with a custom built frame...a tip of the ol' hat to ya both :applause: :applause: :applause: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Postby apratt » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:00 pm

Great job Rich and Doug. This makes a good starting place for building a trailer frame even if it not the way you want it, you can always modified from it. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Postby doug hodder » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:19 pm

It is a good faith effort to document building a frame...it's hard to think of all the little details but we made an effort. If anyone wants to document the use of the torsion axle please take photos and put it into a script that we can add. This is only what we built...hope it's of some help...Doug
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Postby bdosborn » Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:29 pm

Thanks guys, this will help me a lot. I'm gonna print it and add it to my Teardrop Manual library I've been collecting.
:thumbsup:
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Postby angib » Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:30 pm

Excellent work, guys. Very public-spirited and helpful.

Andrew
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Postby doug hodder » Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:00 pm

Thanks for helping out Steve, you were a very big help and it was appreciated... :thumbsup: doug
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Postby Lazybones » Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:40 pm

Nice job guys!! I'm sure this will help many a teardop builder. :applause:
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Postby Classic Finn » Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:18 pm

But is that tutorial Eu Approved :D :D :twisted: the hitch dont have the lil letter E stamped on it... :lol:

Very nice .... :thumbsup: :applause: :applause:

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Postby brian_bp » Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:25 pm

Great resource! :applause:

I do have one minor note: according to the Dexter Axle, the meaning of overslung and underslung in the tutorial are reversed (the adjective is normally used to describe the location of the springs, rather than the axle).
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Postby KA » Sat May 26, 2007 4:15 pm

Thank you for taking the time to do this tutorial. It is very helpful.
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Postby doug hodder » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:01 pm

Just a quick follow up to the frame tutorial....the frame that was built in this tutorial just completed 3000 mile round trip to Minden....prior to that, only 10 miles in town to DMV....It towed very well, and the springs were just right for the total weight of 960 without a full cooler...nothing other than a bottle in the cabinet tipped...No problems with it and towing speeds were as high as 85 MPH...a very strong frame for the weight and the longer tongue makes it easy to back up...Doug
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Postby Esteban » Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:06 pm

Here are some good resources to help you design a trailer frame and tongue:

1) DIY Frame Building...preferred materials...discussion with pictures

2) Andrew's Tongue Strength & Design Information from up above in the Design Library. It has charts showing the weight and strength of common metal shapes often used for trailer frames and tongues. It's worth printing out as a handy reference to help you design your trailer frame and tongue.

3) Andrew's Trailer Balance Spreadsheet from up above in the the Design Library.

4) Mike's A-Frame Tongue Length & Width Chart with follow up discussion.



BTW, after learning from the above my 5'x10' frame has a 48" long A-Frame tongue built from 2"x3"x1/8" rectangular tubing which seemed like a sweet spot for strength vs. weight. The frame is built from 2"x2"x1/8" square tubing with 2"x2"x1/8" Ls for cross pieces on roughly 2' centers to match up with joints in the plywood floor.
Last edited by Esteban on Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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