Dimension Decisions??

[jjlentz]

Greetings "Hidden Frame Builders",

My wheels came last week and are now at the paint shop (old school black steel, crome smoothie look). I plan on getting my tires mounted this week, taking some accurate measurements before I order my torsion axle. I am having trouble settling on my length dimensions. My plan is to achieve the "hidden fame look" on a 5x8 tear. The width isn't the problem. I plan on 58" outside frame width, 3/4 ply on each side bolted directly to the frame covering it, and then alum skin. This should give me a total of right at 59 5/8" so I'll have a little room to play with for the 60' roof alum.

The length however has me a little puzzled. For the front I was thinking of letting the front bulkhead sit flush with the sidewalls and the frame and then "hiding" the frame with the roof liner and alum roof skin letting these two components sit on top of the "A" tongue as it comes from under the frame. I'm lost on what to do at the rear where the hatch will come into play!!!!!!

I purchased some "BigWoody" plans early on. These plans are very comprehensive and detailed but, aren't any help in this matter since I've decided against purchasing a HF style trailer and will also be skinning the entire outside of the tear. I'd rather put money in steel and wood rather than purchasing more plans if I can get away with it. I hope this problem description is easy to understand. All suggestions will be greatly appreciated as this little project turns into a big obsession.

THANKS!!!,
Jeff NC

[madjack]

...sounds like you are on the right track, as far as the front goes...

I think I know what your asking about the rear....we stopped the frame 1" short of the end of the wall...the floor, a single sheet of 1/2"ply was stopped at that point as well...I then ripped a piece of 2x4 to fit/fill the space left at the end of the frame...this piece was encapsulated in epoxy and screwed to the frame with 1/4x2 self tapping, trailer deck screws...we then bent a piece of AL sheet to form a cover for the rear and make a place for the hatch to seal against.......
madjack

[Steve_Cox]

I left the frame exposed in the back of the TD so I could attach my bumper. It was at a place I coulda covered it with oak trim though. Under the bumper is a hidden hitch receiver for the bike rack.

[jjlentz]

THANKS GUYS!!!, For the good ideas. The pics help tremendously. The experience on this forum is priceless....




Jeff NC