plansfor dinettein tear drop trailers

[goldgeezer]

i would like to see some detailed pictures or plans of how to build sunken floor for dinette and benches

[cuyeda]

As a suggestion, you might want to provide a few details how you envision your trailer build. What size will your build possibly be, how many people will occupy the sleeping area, what other amenities do you think you may want etc... There are various ways to approach a build, but if you give people some guidelines I am sure there will be some good solutions provided.

Will you be using the frame that is pictured in your gallery?

[jdarkoregon]

Geezer, Welcome to the forum!!!

Many people here would love to through some advice towards you, BUT, like suggested before, thrrow us some bones to chew on.
I just viewed some of your images, If they are showing the foundation of your build project, you'll need to measure how far the axle is from the ground AND how far the top of the frame is from the ground.

The measurements will get people started.

John

PS, I was born in Dinuba, but haven't been back for years.

[goldgeezer]

i have been thinking about this build for over a year. i dont have any measurements yet trailer will be deliverd on friday. it will only sleep me and the wife.the only time we would use the dinette is to sit out a downpore. or then we are outside doing something

[Roly Nelson]

Geezer, I too yearned to have a footwell for your feet so sitting in the teardrop would be a welcome thing during a downpour. I gotta tell you, that since I built my trailer, 11 years ago, I have yet to take advantage of the flip-up table that comes out of the floor and the footwell large enough for 4 pairs of feet. My footwell floor is flush with the bottom of my axle and has never hit the ground, ever. It sounds like a good feature, but really, I doubt that you will ever use it, even during an ocasional downpour. Good luck on your build, take pics and post em. (we love pics).
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif woody guy.

[cuyeda]

Is the trailer going to be a 4x8, 5x10, 5x13? Is it going to be a standy, or a teardrop? Are you handy at welding? Is the galley going to be inside or outside? Is it the trailer frame pictured in your gallery? To help you, we need to know what you have been thinking for the last year or so. Again, there are various ways to approach any build, but we need to know what your personal preferences are to start with.

I may have several photos of other peoples build for ideas, but don't want to spend all my time hunting and posting reference photos if it is not going to fit the frame. Welcome to the forum! Your adventure starts now...

[doug hodder]

Like Roly mentions, it may not be used. I also know of others that did build in a sunken floor for a dinette option and never used it either. The hassle of setting it up and tearing it down wasn't worth the effort for the limited time they would be using it. You might post something in the Polls section asking whether or not those that have built one utilize it, I'm sure they will chime in on why it is or isn't used. It's a lot of time and effort for something that may have no future use. In the end, it's your trailer so build what you want. Doug

[angib]

Wow, looking at your gallery, you win the prize for the weirdest-looking trailer that anyone has used as a base!

I don't think dropped floors are a big deal, structurally. People tend to assume they're going to drop out the bottom of the trailer because nearly everyone seems to think they have to build mobile foundations for their trailer floor, or that things can only be held up from underneath, neither of which is true.

The sides and ends of a dropped floor are good structural beams in their own right, so as long as the top of either the sides or the ends are attached to the floor stiffly, they will hold up the rest of the dropped floor.

I think it makes sense to put a steel angle on the outside of the front bottom corner of a dropped floor, just to take the impact if it gets dragged on anything.

But I would particularly pay attention to Roly's comment, that getting too fancy in a design isn't always worthwhile.

[goldgeezer]

the trailer i got was used to transport kyacks to the river. they could take several at a time. and thanks everyone for your input

[GuitarPhotog]

Based on the photos of the 'donor' trailer, you're going to need to do some serious modifications to that trailer to make it suitable for a teardrop, with or without a dropped floor. The tongue looks like it's very long, and, after you remove that decking, completely unsupported for most of its length.

Giving us some idea of what you have in mind, and maybe a photo of the underside of that trailer, will help us help you.

<Chas>

[Shadow98258]

Looks like a boat trailer so the wheels are too far aft. Might be worthwhile to just salvage the axle and wheels and then cut up the frame and have it welded into a more suitable form?

[bobhenry]

Looks like a boat trailer so the wheels are too far aft. Might be worthwhile to just salvage the axle and wheels and then cut up the frame and have it welded into a more suitable form?

I tend to disagree ! The tires to the rear makes for very good road manners and excellent backing ability. Perhaps the tongue is a bit long but easily shortened and then reattach the coupler. There are several very nice teardrops ( and tiny trailers) on this forum that have been built on boat trailers. I think 15 minutes with a sawsall to remove the canoe liveries rather primative hardware will expose a nice little boat trailer. If your tow vehicle can handle a heavier tongue weight let the build extend forward. Let the frame tell you what to build. Use the features of it that work for you.

As to setting out a storm we have endured some worm drownding rains. howling winds. scorching sun. and snow storms all in reasonable comfort under our 10 x 10 first up. With the sides installed It has been our living room, dining room, kitchen and privacy room. I would NEVER leave without it.

[wagondude]

Looks like a boat trailer so the wheels are too far aft. Might be worthwhile to just salvage the axle and wheels and then cut up the frame and have it welded into a more suitable form?

Many boat trailers are designed with multiple atatchment options for the axle. That way the axle can be moved to balance the load. More than one type of boat can be used on the same basic trailer that way. Should not be a problem to remove and maybe re-use all that extra stuff to build a nice trailer.

[BrwBier]

I seem to be in the minority as I use my inside seating every camping day. It is easy to set up, about 45 seconds with two people and a little over a minute by your self. When alone it can be set up with out exiting the trailer. Try as I might I just cant get pictures to work for me so you will have to look at my album to see how it works. If you have any questions, I'm a teardropper so I love talking about it, just ask.
Brwbier

[wagondude]

There is a shot of it set up for you.