Is it possible to build a 5 X 8 under 750 lbs

[PSBreen]

My wife and I are looking at building a teardrop trailer and would like to keep the empty weight under 750 lbs. We aren't looking for anything fancy. Mainly a sleeping area and galley for storage. We are wondering if it's possible to do with standard building techniques. We've looking for ideas. Here's are basic requirements.

1. 5 x 8 manufactured trailer frame, like Red Trailer, etc. No welding.

2. 14" or 15" wheels

3. Wood construction. Don't want to use foam and fiberglass.

4. Mainly want a sleeping compartment with storage area in the galley area for coolers and camp stove etc.

5. 110 AC / 12 DC power optional but would be nice to have.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Steve

[mikeschn]

My Winter Warrior Escape Hatch was about 800#. And it was 66" wide by 10' long. So, yes, I believe you can do a 5x8 at 750#. But you gotta be careful to build light...

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 042#452042

Mike...

[kirkman]

My 5x8 weighed in at 650.

[Deryk the Pirate]

Well its all in what you build it out of. We have people doing composite foam trailers, I built mine out of Paulownia, a japanese cedar. Very light strong and resists rot. Mine empty unpainted came in at 620lbs with the windows in... I havent had it weighed since its all finished but definatly under 800lbs with a battery(which I take out of my tongue box when towing)

[kennyrayandersen]

If you are careful, I don't even think you would even need to use composites to get the weight down to 750#

Lots of weight-saving ideas and concepts to look at in the forum. Look at how some of the vintage trailers are built -- you'll be surprised how lightly built they are and many of them have lasted 50+ years! Almost eveyone says they built too heavy the first time around!

[PSBreen]

Sure sounds like we should be able to do it. I ordered Steve Frederick's Shop Manual and have started skimming through it. It has ton's of info in it. Between that book and the forums I'm pretty sure we can come up with something we'll both enjoy building. We've got a few home repair projects to get out of the way while we're planning. We are still leaning toward something like the Benroy. Once we decide on a design we can start collecting supplies.

Originally we had considered building a Weekender with 3/4" ply. But at about 75 lb a sheet it would get heavy real fast. It looks like we will save a lot of weight by using built up (framed) walls. I was thinking about 1/4" skins over a frame of 1x2" with 3/4" pink foam insulation might be the way to go. Has anybody tried that yet?

Steve

[starleen2]

I was thinking about 1/4" skins over a frame of 1x2" with 3/4" pink foam insulation might be the way to go. Has anybody tried that yet?

Steve

Yep - I used the same technique for the ladybug and the green lantern which are quite a bit larger that a 5 by 8. The lady bug was 10 ft long x six wide and a standie that weighed less than 900 lbs!

[mikeschn]

You mean like this...

Absolutely...



Mike...

[kennyrayandersen]

Sure sounds like we should be able to do it. I ordered Steve Frederick's Shop Manual and have started skimming through it. It has ton's of info in it. Between that book and the forums I'm pretty sure we can come up with something we'll both enjoy building. We've got a few home repair projects to get out of the way while we're planning. We are still leaning toward something like the Benroy. Once we decide on a design we can start collecting supplies.

Originally we had considered building a Weekender with 3/4" ply. But at about 75 lb a sheet it would get heavy real fast. It looks like we will save a lot of weight by using built up (framed) walls. I was thinking about 1/4" skins over a frame of 1x2" with 3/4" pink foam insulation might be the way to go. Has anybody tried that yet?

Steve

Lots of folks actually go with 1/8 ply on the inside. This is especially OK if you make the whole thing a composite panel by gluing everything together. That will save even a bit more weight.

[Sam I am]

My teardrop weighs just about 750 pounds empty. It's a 5x8 built on a Red Trailers frame with the 12" wheels. It has a pine counter top and no cabinets in the galley, and only a small one in the sleeping area. Cabinets can get heavy! It's a woody style with no plywood thicker than 1/2" (Baltic birch).

[Gold5one]

Updates on new builds anyone?
Mine came in at 760 lbs, but it was oversize at, 5.5W x 10.5L X 61.5 inch ceiling height. (unfinished inside on a HF trailer frame)

[Jdw2717]

Mine is right at 750 empty. 1/8" over 3/4" wood framing strips and foam with 1/8" inside for the walls. Top is 1.5" x 1.5" stringers with foam sandwiched between one layer of 1/8" ply inside and out. Floor was 1/2" ply on 1.5" x 1.5" framing. You can do it.

[dano]

Mine was 800 on the nose. 5x8 teardrop with 3/4 walls and floor, a 75 pound futon mattress. If you built with 5/8 or 1/2 inch walls and foam mattress it would be closer to 700 pounds. I also had 14" tires and wheels.
Good luck and have fun with your build.
Dano

[jonw]

My 5x8 is 720 lbs., based on an ultralight design Mike did at one point. There are some unique things about it that helped reduce weight and make it water tight - check out the build and refurb journal links in my signature.

[rowerwet]

since you don't want to do a faomie, you will be doing extra work to build light with wood.
One idea I considered for my next build would be a "stitch and glue" build like the way "instant" boats are built. the whole build would rely on using Marine epoxy and fiberglass tape to make every joint. The whole tear body could be 1/4" ply, with 1" or 1.5" wide ribs of 1/4" plywood glued to the inside of the skins perpendicular to the skin to stiffen the structure as needed. The stiffeners would need to be epoxied and taped to the skin for strength. the only dimensional lumber used would be for the door frames, and galley structure. where the hatch and counter were.
A structure built this way would be very light and super strong, just like the boats built this way are. (the tandem kayak on the roof of my car in the picture is built of luan plywood, glued together using the stitch and glue method, I stretched it about 6" longer than the designer drew, and still beat his target weight of 65 lbs.)
Since you sleep in a tear you want it quiet and warm or cool depending on the weather, use foam board to line the inside face, between the ribs, and skin the whole inside of the tear with fabric and you would have a tear almost as light as a faomie.
THEN- you could load up the galley and cabnets and still be ligher than your target weight.