Helping a newbie--NOT modifying HF frame?

[Ira]

Long story short:

New person I've been PM'ing just assembled the HF folding trailer, but didn't make the modifications per the Cubby and other plans--inserting two of the cross-members into side rails to strengthen the joints there, and using lumber as the middle cross-member.

I'm screaming and preaching and afraid for his/her life that he/she is gonna die, or at the very least, that the whole TD can start ripping apart without this modification.

Am I totally off-base here? Or have people bult on this frame WITHOUT making that modification...and lived to talk about it?

I don't see how, because we're talking about connecting two pieces of channel with a couple of bolts to make one long one, while most "real" trailers have one long piece of rigid steel in the first place.

Just seems that this is asking for trouble.

[Miriam C.]

Hard question Ira,
But as Madjack has reminded me before---the trailer ties the axle to the tongue. How many trailers are made without a frame and do fine. That said, there is some good engineering and building principles being applied that make it safe.

In the end all you can do is give what you know is sound advice (because it came from here) and let every person choose to accept it or not.

[bdosborn]

Ira,

I did NOT modify the trailer as I feel the modifications required weaken the trailer in a key area, mainly the joint on the long sections. I used Andrews trailer balance program to allocate weight so I have a good tongue weight. The trailer is very stable, no problems going 90 over Vail pass last weekend.
Bruce

[angib]

Looking from this distance (so I stand to be corrected), it seems the Cubby modification is needed if you are going to relocate the axle further back, as the axle mount no longer joins the two halves.

If you leave the axle where it comes, then the existing construction has to be plenty strong enough, as a teardrop is a much easier life than the abuse most utility trailers get. If you leave out the folding hinges, then you do need something to hold the two halves next to each other but I think just being bolted to a ply floor is enough to do that.

Of course, not moving the axle means you have to have a plan for how you're going to get an adequate tongue weight - for example, with a light galley and maybe a tongue box. Or just chucking a heavy cooler in the front of the cabin.

Andrew

[asianflava]

Not moving the axle aft will make it more difficult to get a nice sized door opening.

[Joanne]

Not moving the axle aft will make it more difficult to get a nice sized door opening.

That was my thought too. Weight balance AND door opening size. Still as Bruce points out, you can build a really nice trailer without having to move the axle.

Joanne

[Steve_Cox]

Seems there is a need for a Generic Teardrop design that uses a stock HF trailer with no modifications. It would be a good one those that never finish projects so they can sell or use the utility trailer once they realize it's just not gonna happen...

[Endo]

Not moving the axle aft will make it more difficult to get a nice sized door opening.

I did not move my axle. My door opening is 30" wide.

[diverguy]

i built tha 8' cubby, i did move the axel back but i did not make the modifications. i used the spring bracket as my support, bolting it in 4 places (two on each half) to secure the two halfs together. then i also bolted the two cross members together. THEN........ i bolted my floor and frame to the trialer (4 bolts on each crossmember). i have been approx four thousand miles so far and do not see the slightest problem (so far.)

[bdosborn]

Not moving the axle aft will make it more difficult to get a nice sized door opening.

I did not move my axle. My door opening is 30" wide.

Mine is 30" too.
Bruce