Is my trailer too large?

[ncw]

Hello,

I’m still working on stripping and painting the trailer before getting some welding work done on it. I plan to get the fenders removed and another bar added so it’s flat. I’m currently trying to figure out what kind of axle, tires and wheels i need to get them outside the frame (axles are much more complicated than i thought)

All this leads to the question of is my trailer too large.

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

This is beyond any build plans i’ve seen as most are in the 8’-10’ range. At what point does building a teardrop or square drop on a trailer no longer make sense?

My tow capacity is 2000 lbs, so it’s not like i can build a whole trailer out.

Lots of thoughts and ideas in my mind so i’m wondering if someone with more experience can help me see through it all.

Thanks,

ncw

 

[Tony Latham]

So... the fact that it's wider than 60" precludes using 5 x 5' sheets of 1/8" Baltic birch for the ceiling and roof.

So... in my opinion, it's too wide.

Tony

 

[ncw]

So... the fact that it's wider than 60" precludes using 5 x 5' sheets of 1/8" Baltic birch for the ceiling and roof.

So... in my opinion, it's too wide.

Tony

That is limiting in terms of building materials.

I’m trying to think if it could be possible to extend the width of the walls somehow to accommodate

Thanks,

ncw

 

[DrewsBrews]

I don't think it is particularly critical that the trailer chassis have a rail directly under the wall as long as it is built strong enough. Could cut the chassis rails down and hide the cut ends behind skirted walls. Or drill holes at the cut ends to bolt on angle iron for a new perimeter.

 

[ncw]

I don't think it is particularly critical that the trailer chassis have a rail directly under the wall as long as it is built strong enough. Could cut the chassis rails down and hide the cut ends behind skirted walls. Or drill holes at the cut ends to bolt on angle iron for a new perimeter.

I had considered that at one point, but I think you’re right, the trailer is built extremely solid, I’ll look in to measuring that out, I think i had paused because of the angled steel on the rest of the perimeter, and i haven’t figured out whether i’d build inside or hide it by building a piece over it

 

[DrewsBrews]

Here is what I was thinking:

Left is approximately the unmodified chassis. Center is cut down to ~60"x120". Right Is with angle iron (red) bolted to the cut ends. Removing the length from the rear effectively moves the axle farther back, which helps balance the trailer better due to the excess weight of a rear galley.

This all would only take basic tools: A $20 angle grinder with cutoff wheels and a drill with appropriate bits. Just add elbow grease . Bolts/nuts/washers are a plenty at hardware stores. Also most bigger hardware stores have angle iron up to 6ft lengths if I remember right.

 

[Tony Latham]

You know... it has a poorly designed tongue, and the fame obviously has issues. And you're replacing the axle.

Why not build what you want? Instead of dealing with inherited problems?

Tony

 

[ncw]

You know... it has a poorly designed tongue, and the fame obviously has issues. And you're replacing the axle.

Why not build what you want? Instead of dealing with inherited problems?

Tony

I think about it, the problem was after pricing it out it was getting quite expensive, needed a flux welder to add and then i needed to learn. I'd also have to weld outside in the Canadian winter. I'm still not completely opposed but I'm trying to avoid it if I can .

and then I'd need to get rid of this one, likely as a $400 loss.

The frame does have issues, and a piece with rust, I jumped on a good price as most in similar condition around here go for triple but perhaps I should not have.

 

[Tony Latham]

I think about it, the problem was after pricing it out it was getting quite expensive, needed a flux welder to add and then i needed to learn. I'd also have to weld outside in the Canadian winter.

Yeah, I get it.

Tony

 

[ncw]

I guess the question is if i want to build under mattress storage, would i just keep the fenders on?

I haven’t looked at weight of that or anything yet.

I’ve also considered moving the tires lower so the trailer sits almost over them.

Thanks,

ncw