Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Northern Tool has 5X8 trailer frames on sale for only $260, the sale ends 6/26, so ya better hurry. I just thought I would share this because it is so hard to find a frame that is cheap to do a teardrop build on.

Wow, what's the normal price on these? That's about the same as the 4x8 at hf and I was under the impression they were significantly cheaper than everyone else, but with a quality sacrifice

Here is the link http://www.northerntool.com/stores/ads/ ... market=NVL

I built ours on the exact same type of frame, with a few cheap modifications, it can be made into a tough little frame

Von Pook wrote:Northern Tool has 5X8 trailer frames on sale for only $260, the sale ends 6/26, so ya better hurry. I just thought I would share this because it is so hard to find a frame that is cheap to do a teardrop build on.

This is the frame I am building on. The axle location is better than on some of the other manufactured trailers, plus it is mounted above the spring so the trailer is lower to the ground. Comes welded and assembled and with a title. Good trailer! Plus, I paid $279 for mine three years ago, so this is a good price, too!

AL in Asheville

they come pre-assembled? is it possible to buy it still in the box?

junemann wrote:they come pre-assembled? is it possible to buy it still in the box?

It is a welded trailer that does not come in a box. You cannot by this on the internet. You can only buy it in the store.

Several locations are out of stock, and may take a couple weeks to catch up. I pre-paid for a couple more for future projects, just couldnt pass on that price.

That looks just like the Tractor Supply trailer, which has a bit a design flaw - what looks to be a very sensibly-sized tongue connects to two flimsy angle cross-members that are way too close together. Put a big (upward) load on the coupler and the second angle will get bent downwards - which is exactly what has happened to a couple of forum members, one of them while their trailer was still under construction.

It might look like the front angle cross-member would be more highly loaded and would get bent upwards - but it usually has the front wall of the teardrop sitting right above it, providing all the strength needed there.

So it seems sensible to either:

- bolt or weld another piece of angle to the second cross-member to beef it up; or

- put a piece of oak framing in the floor above the second cross-member and fix the two together.

I believe this frame uses angle side rails that stick up and which are more than 48" wide externally, so builders need to have a plan for how they will stop water running inside the frame and rotting the floor framing.

However these aren't major issues and folks that have bought one of these trailers seem happy with them, judging by what I've read here.

Andrew

angib wrote:That looks just like the Tractor Supply trailer...

I believe this frame uses angle side rails that stick up and which are more than 48" wide externally, so builders need to have a plan for how they will stop water running inside the frame and rotting the floor framing.

Andrew

These are the same construction as the 4x8 Tractor Supply trailers, made by the same company, except the Northern Tool is 5x8.

You are right about the angle side rail too.

Also, I had to move the factory wiring for the lights, which sits on top of the frame. I think most folks would want to remove and upgrade the lights anyway.

AL in Asheville

I also removed the trailer wiring, and allowed a "channel" for the water to flow along the frame. In fact, the wire harness for our tear is "over done", I'm german, we over build everything