The Dog House *It's done!!!! 6/20/2015"

[jss06]

Began my build this weekend.

My wife picked the name. I like it.

This is a cross between a grasshopper and the Sawtooth XL.


The trailer frame was started this week.

[jss06]

Began the frame this week. got the main runners and the tounge cut and fit. Going to weld it all up hopefully this weekend. Then I can cut and fit the side extensions to bring it out to 60 inches wide. The tires will be tucked up under the body for a little more then half their width.

Frame layed out: This is 47 inches wide and 8 feet long for the main box. The tounge adds about 4 feet to the overall length.


It does not look like it but there is an inch of clearance between the frame and the tire sidewall.



Tounge detail. There will be supports for the tounge to frame joint to keep it from breaking.



Detail of the tounge to frame joint. The left side is the main frame. The right side is the tounge. The bottom piece is the cross member.



Finally the mockup of the bracing for the tounge joint.



The tounge, main frame runners and joint support piece are 2x2x3/16" steel. The cross members and rest of the frame are 2x2x1/8"

[2bits]

Nice frame and a good solid start! I used the same frame for mine and it is very strong, but not overbuilt!

[angib]

It would be good if you could move the front cross-member backwards an inch or two, so that there is access to get a decent weld between the A-frame and main rails:



I know you are going to add reinforcement, but there is no substitute to having a good weld on the direct load path.

[jss06]

It would be good if you could move the front cross-member backwards an inch or two, so that there is access to get a decent weld between the A-frame and main rails:


I know you are going to add reinforcement, but there is no substitute to having a good weld on the direct load path.

the A-Frame will be welded before the front cross-member is welded in place. I will just slide it down about an inch to act as a spacer so the welds don't draw the rails together. Once the A-Frame is welded fully then I will weld the cross member in place.

[jss06]

Tack welded the main part of the frame together tonight. Spent the day at the State Fair of Texas so got a late start.

[starleen2]

[jss06]

Got to spend another day in the garage. Tacked the tongue on and made sure everything was square. One thing I hate about welding is all the prep work to get a good weld.

Now on to the finish welding. First the left side:


Then the Right:



Then put it onto jack stands to measure and start placement of the axle. This is where it will reside.





Once the axle is in place, I will finsh out the frame. I need to know where to put the wheel wells on the body.

The welding table was one of the first things I built after I got my welder. I wanted to be able to put an engine block on it. I think it will suffice.

[jss06]

Spring mounts are tacked in place. I had some scrap 1/4" angle lying around and decided to beef up the frame a bit to reinforce the spring hangers. I still need to do the finish welding.



Close up of the spring mount.

[PhotoGuy]

looking really good. Like the rims and tires. They are like what I will be looking for for mine when I start. I want to be able to get off road with it

[aggie79]

Hi John,

Your build is off to a nice start, and that is a really cool teardrop design you have come up with.

On your signature, I was focused on the picture and didn't read that you live in Carrollton. It's good to have another DFW teardropper! (I hope to add my name to the completed, or at least campable. list by the end of October.)

BTW, I really like your welding setup. Maybe some I'll find a way to "sneak" one into our garage.

Tom

[jss06]

looking really good. Like the rims and tires. They are like what I will be looking for for mine when I start. I want to be able to get off road with it

The wheels are stock Jeep steel wheels off of a Cherokee. I picked up 4 of them for $75. The Tires are generic 30x9.5r15 MTs that I picked up used from a local Jeep club member for $40.

[jss06]

Hi John,

Your build is off to a nice start, and that is a really cool teardrop design you have come up with.

On your signature, I was focused on the picture and didn't read that you live in Carrollton. It's good to have another DFW teardropper! (I hope to add my name to the completed, or at least campable. list by the end of October.)

BTW, I really like your welding setup. Maybe some I'll find a way to "sneak" one into our garage.

Tom

Thanks. My wife actually got me the welder, gas bottle and regulator for christmas about 5 years ago.

The table I designed and built. With the exception of the top I paid a case of Dos EX for all the steel from a local Jeep guy. This is where the scrap 1/4" angle came from.

[jss06]

Mounted the axle today and finished welding up the main part of the frame. There is 18 3/4 inches of clearance between the bottom of the frame and ground. That makes me happy. having a problem with my hositng site.

*EDIT*Finally got pics up.

Spring hangers fully welded. Measuring for axle center.



Tire to frame clearance.

[jss06]

Figured out what happened to my hosting site so here we go.

Went for a short drive today. The trailer pulls great and tracks nicely behind the Jeep.



Close up of the Lock-N-Roll hitch.