Chasis 3/16 out of square...

[Keith B]

Thanks Danny...when you weld your next chasis...word of advise...keep it square Well, I'm shooting for 44"+/- from rear of frame to center of hub.

[caseydog]

Without building an elaborate jig that you will only use once, I don't know if you are going to get it perfectly square. You could cut it up and end up out of square by more than 3/16 the second time. As long as the trailer pulls straight, how will anyone know it isn't perfectly square? I have a factory-built trailer, and it would not surprize me one bit if it was off by that much.

If it will make you lose sleep, you may be better building a new frame, rather than cutting and fixing. And, build a jig that you can adjust for square -- something that will not allow anything to move while you weld.

But, I promise you, if I see your TD at a gathering, I will NOT be down on the ground with a level and square to see if your frame is perfectly built.

G

[Keith B]

Thanks CaseyDog...

[IndyTom]

Keith,

About a year ago, I was right where you are now. I believe that 3/16" was the same amount that I was off and I used the come-along method to try to square things up, not too sure that I did all that much good, but I tried. Then a few weeks later I was posting that I had my axle about 1/4" off center and I was completely disgusted with myself. I had made two , what I considered major, errors and I had not even started on my body yet. The general consensus that I got from the group here was to quit looking at the tape measure so damn close and keep on building, so that is what I did. Unfortunately, some financial problems reared up and I had to put the project on hold, but that is another story. I will be building again soon.

So, keep on building Keith

Tom

[bledsoe3]

Are we suppose to check for square?

[critter]

Hey Keith,
Just send her on down to me . I dont care if its 3/16 of,f ill camp in it anyway and you can try to build a square one.The tape measure people running all roud the camp grounds might cut you arms off or something if they see that your camper is out of square.You know now that i think about it the people at the registration area of the camground have got this new laser incenerator that automaticatly zaps you into oblivion if you try to camp in one that aint square so just send her down to me and ill take care of it for you ..no charge ...cause thats whut us teardrop buuddys is suposed to do fer one another! ps: I used to worry bout stuff like that 2 heart acacks ago!

[caseydog]

Are we suppose to check for square?

Now here is a man with an attitude I can relate to.

On the job, I can see shooting for perfection. When it comes to camping, close is good enough for me.

Get it done and go camping, is my feeling. Eat some beans with a cold beer by a camp fire, and that 3/16 of an inch will fade from memory.

G

[apratt]

Better be carefull the Tape Measure Cop will be out looking for anyone that is out of square.

[Micro469]

Only 3/16"??? Sounds pretty darn square to me.....

[Gage]

I can just hear it now. The first gathering that Keith shows up at, someone is going to walk up and say 'Hey everyone, this is the teardrop that is 3/16" out of square'.

[Nitetimes]

Keep in mind that's only 3/32" at either end, not 3/16" in one place. I'm sure you can cover it up some how or even if you don't no one will ever see it.

[doug hodder]

Gage...I know that Keith is planning on going to Minden with it...maybe we could just use that bit of knowledge to indoctrinate a newby via some gentle ribbing....sorry Keith...just part of the traditional hazing, some get TP'd...some get other treatments.., hey!!!...I had to walk a flaming beam over a bonfire at Dillons Beach...and I had been to several gatherings, and got my first tear in '80...Doug

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Keith, does your TD body overhang at at the sides & rear?Danny

there really isn't any overhang....

That's where I handcuffed myself on my frame, it came out nice and square, but it would've been so nice to have some overhang to be able to run wiring between the wall skirt and the frame rail...
Would've been nice to have some overhang at the ends too, to make it easier to build and attatch my radius pans below the floorline...
I got locked into the thinking that the frame was like a footing... Had to be directly underneath the wall.

I hope this post helps someone from not doing what I did...

[Keith B]

There will be full alarms around my TD w/ heat sensative lasers.. if someone tries to check it bells and whistles will sound and the "booby-trap" is gonna twist your tape-measure into a tin can...you all come up to me and "remind" me about the 3/16th"... but before you do, look in the cooler because those who "don't" say anything may get a tasty beverage... ... and it's no longer 3/16" out of square, now it's only 3 idybity lines before a bigger line

[Nitetimes]

... and it's no longer 3/16" out of square, now it's only 3 idybity lines before a bigger line

Now you're catchin' on!!!