Do the sidewalls HAVE TO drop below the trailer frame?

[KDOG]

In the generic Benroy plans it shows the sidewalls flush with the bottom edge of the trailer frame. Is that necessary? Seems like it would cut down even further on the head room inside. I've seen pics here of it both ways - even with bottom edge of the trailer frame and with the top edge. Any preference?

[rbeemer]

Kdog,It is your trailor build how you want it to look. When I build mine, the outside of the wall will be even with the top of the trailer because that is the way I think mine will look best, I am not doing a Benroy but if I were I would extend it below so you cant see the frame.

[Miriam C.]

Kdog the choice is yours. I guess it depends on if you like your trailer showing and how much you think you will need the extra inches.

I built mine on top. Someday it will get a paint job I really like.

[KDOG]

Ok, cool. I just wanted to be sure there wasn't any structural integrity concerns with building it on top.

[Nitetimes]

I like it with the frame covered myself, just think it looks better. Unless you are very tall you won't notice the extra couple of inches. I was concerned about that myself at first but it's not really an issue. Mines about 43" inside floor to ceiling and with an 8" mattress it's got plenty of headroom, even when you're gettin' it!!

[Chuck Craven]

KDOG
If you build it with the frame showing and later decide you don’t like it. You can always make a skirt to cover the frame. My design is to let the black frame show and use black trim around the wall to roof seam.

Chuck

[Mark72]

On my Jim dandy build i wanted all the head room i could get so my walls are sitting on top of my frame. however my frame is kind of tall and i didn't want the square shaped box to hang out of the bottom of my profile. My solution was to increase the rear radius of my profile and adjust the roof line as needed. To cover the frame below my sidewall i found some really nice looking aluminum rock guard at my trailer parts store for a couple of bucks a foot. This will solve the problem of covering the frame without laying out the premium it takes to buy skin material over 4' wide! I guess what i am trying to say is what the others have said...it is your trailer so build it to your specifications for what you like or need there is no right or wrong way to do it! Have fun along the way and of course are this forums best freind!

Mark

P.S. check out Scooter's road camper in the hall of fame it is a benroy with the frame showing below the body, and is in my opinion a perfect example of a well built and very nice looking tear!

[len19070]

KDOG
As everyone says you can do what ever you want. I like to cover the frame. Some folks don't.

In my opinion narrowing the frame, and bolting the Plywood to the sides stiffens it by using the plywood as a Box Beam. This is a moot issue though because bolting on top of the frame does the same thing.

As far as head room, I make all my trailers 42" tall, not 48". It makes them look longer. I think looking longer on a small trailer is a good thing. And at 5'7" I don't need a lot of head room.

You should really try to get down to TearJerkers Gathering at Elk Neck next month. Lots of builders, restorers, store bought trailers and Real ones from the 40-50's.

The details; http://tinyurl.com/2o5fec

I built about 5 Teardrops before I ever saw a real one. Within a very short time I saw some major mistakes I had made, and never made them again.

Seeing the real deal is very enlightening.

Happy Trails

Len

[Keith B]

My walls are on top.. building the TD in the shop without chasis - better working height.. when done we'll set it on top of the frame and bolt down... it's your TD, so the choice is yours... look at the "Hall of Fame", you can see what TD's look like in both configurations.

[Tripmaker]

My personal opinion is that a TD looks better with the frame covered. So of course I'm building mine on top of the frame and the frame is exposed. I know it doesn't make sense but I wanted the extra 3" headroom inside. Three inches may not sound like much but if it was on the end of my ...well er nose, it would be significant. Like everyone else said, there is no right or wrong, it's what you want that counts most.

[mikeschn]

If you have your body sitting on TOP of your frame, there are a couple options...

1) if you are covering in aluminum, cover the frame in aluminum too.

2) if you are painting, paint the frame the same color as the body

3) if it's a woodie, paint the frame black.

4) if you really like the frame, get some rub off letters, and paste the name of your teardrop on the frame...

Mike...