Interesting 5x10 layout

[ncw]

Hey everyone,

we acquired a 5x10 trailer on a good deal and have torn down a good chunk, my question is pertaining to the metal acting as a fender if you will. Is it worth cutting to get a flatbed? getting a longer axle? building around it?

I have no ideas yet so figure i’d ask if anyone has dealt with a similar frame.

ncw

 

[Tony Latham]

I'll vote for cutting the fender metal off, adding some frame material, and buying an axle that puts the wheels outside the cabin. A new axle will give you a five-hole hub for bigger wheels that will fit real tires.

Tony

 

[ncw]

I'll vote for cutting the fender metal off, adding some frame material, and buying an axle that puts the wheels outside the cabin. A new axle will give you a five-hole hub for bigger wheels that will fit real tires.

Tony

I think that’s the plan!

 

[GTS225-TNT]

Well.......I'm looking at this a bit different, but I should ask a question or two, first. You say it's 5x10.....is that 5'wide at the outer "frame" rails (over the tires), or 5' wide at the inner frame rails (inside the tires)?
If you have 5' between the tires, it might be beneficial to build it such that you leave the tires exposed, outside of your enclosure, but leave those "wings" fore-and-aft of the tires. It would give you a little more interior space without having to build that much bigger of a cabin.

Eehhhhh....in retrospect, go with the longer axle. Having that indentation in the sidewall would be rather ugly.

Just a thought.....Roger

 

[ncw]

Well.......I'm looking at this a bit different, but I should ask a question or two, first. You say it's 5x10.....is that 5'wide at the outer "frame" rails (over the tires), or 5' wide at the inner frame rails (inside the tires)?
If you have 5' between the tires, it might be beneficial to build it such that you leave the tires exposed, outside of your enclosure, but leave those "wings" fore-and-aft of the tires. It would give you a little more interior space without having to build that much bigger of a cabin.

Eehhhhh....in retrospect, go with the longer axle. Having that indentation in the sidewall would be rather ugly.

Just a thought.....Roger

I went through pretty much this exact process, It’s 5’ inner frame. I also considered just lifting it so that the tires would be under.

Do we think a 72” hub face is enough? I know Tony uses a 74” in his book.

ncw

 

[GTS225-TNT]

Hey.....here's another possibility. Raise the main cabin floor up to the level of the fenderwell tops. Build storage compartments below the main cabin floor, with hatch access along the left and right sides, akin to the "basement" in larger motor homes and fifth-wheel campers.

That would give you full width for the cabin without actually increasing the footprint of the frame. You might have to install a "half-width" fender in order to accommodate the tire width.

Buuttt.....you're not building it for me.....Roger

 

[ncw]

Hey.....here's another possibility. Raise the main cabin floor up to the level of the fenderwell tops. Build storage compartments below the main cabin floor, with hatch access along the left and right sides, akin to the "basement" in larger motor homes and fifth-wheel campers.

That would give you full width for the cabin without actually increasing the footprint of the frame. You might have to install a "half-width" fender in order to accommodate the tire width.

Buuttt.....you're not building it for me.....Roger

That’s an interesting thought i hadn’t considered, I’ll have to see how much weight that might add!

 

[ncw]

i’ve realized 5’ by 10’ is a bit of a undersell.

the body is 127” long, + another 9” if i were to keep and build it to the bumper.

64” wide.

the tongue is 4’11 to add

 

[DrewsBrews]

The issue I see with a longer axle:

Typically axles are sold to a certain spring center-center width, with a standard distance out from the spring center to the spindle. To get a wider axle you would either need to somehow add strong enough rails that are farther apart (strong enough to transfer the spring/axle forces). Or get a custom axle made with a longer distance between the spring and spindle... Which would likely severly de-rate the axle.. so IDK if a professional would be willing to build that even if it could be sufficiently overbuilt.

 

[ncw]

The issue I see with a longer axle:

Typically axles are sold to a certain spring center-center width, with a standard distance out from the spring center to the spindle. To get a wider axle you would either need to somehow add strong enough rails that are farther apart (strong enough to transfer the spring/axle forces). Or get a custom axle made with a longer distance between the spring and spindle... Which would likely severly de-rate the axle.. so IDK if a professional would be willing to build that.

Currently getting quotes on a custom! But if i can figure out a way to not change the axle and just the tires i’m not angry.

 

[DrewsBrews]

Just depends if you are OK with building the fenders into the body and they either encroach into the floor/mattress area or raising the floor up to the top level of the fenders and use the space below for under-mattress storage.