DIY trailer question

[Hubert-TNT]

Someone should have included that in a book.

Thank you for clarifying. I read the description in the book and did not understand how you had bolted the angle iron to the frame. It all makes sense now, the angle iron or tubing goes on the inside of the fender.

 

[Tony Latham]

and did not understand how you had bolted the angle iron to the frame.

That's the way I did it on my teardrop, but I used the above method on a utility trailer I built, which is a better method.

Tony

 

[Hubert-TNT]

Got the steel today and rough cut it for storage until I can start building the trailer. I added it to a bigger steel order for a different project to save the delivery charge (it's only $25, but I'm cheap). I haven't decided whether to miter or butt join the corners, so I left the cross members long enough for miters. Tony suggests butt joints and end caps, which I have some experience with. I built an 11' picnic table, maybe 10 years ago, from 2" steel tubing and angle and used end caps from McMaster on it. After a few years, the wood I used for the benches and table had to be refinished so I took it off and was really surprised at how waterproof those end caps are. It had not rained in at least two weeks, and there was still a good four or five inches of water in the table legs... The table is still going strong though and I have since built a second one without end caps (and put Trex on them to avoid having to refinish the wood every three years).

 

[Alan_O]

That axle guy is spot on for a utility trailer but not for a teardrop. If you follow my plans, it'll weigh at a touch over 1,300 pounds. Throw water, cooler, and a battery in, and that's what it'll haul trip after trip--you do know what it will haul. That's why I suggest an axle designed for 1600 pounds.

That 1300-pound Wandertears with a 3,500-pound axle is going to bounce like an empty dump truck.

Tony[/quote


Tony, I suspect my TD might be somewhat more that a "touch" over 1300 lbs. I did not skeletonize the 3/4" ply in the sides to the extent you did. Other than that I think I followed your plans VERY closely. I plan to use a LiFePO4 battery which weighs in at <25 lbs. Would you still suggest a 1600 lb downrate or go to an 1800 or 2000 lb capacity Torflex axle system? I agree that 3500 is excessive.

Thanks in advance.
Alan O.

 

[Tony Latham]

Would you still suggest a 1600 lb downrate or ....

I would. That lithium should about balance out your more-solid walls.

Tony