Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Here are my chasis/trailer specs.
Perimeter and 1st inner-most crossmember - 2x2x1/8 tube steel
Stringers - 2x2x1/8 angle on 2' centers
Tonge/Straight - 3x3x1/8" tube steel
A-frame members - 2x2x1/8 angle
Tonge from front of 1st crossmember to center of ball - 43"
Axle position - 46" from rear

The frame looks great ...BUT, as it sits in this picture...if you push down on the tongue, you can see the whole frame flex "up" and/or bend - more than what I wound have expected... is 2x2x1/8" tube enough for the perimeter, should I start over or will the "box", a/k/a TD body, keep this from happening.? should I add stiffeners somewhere, extend a piece back to the 3rd stringer, etc .... I thought this was more than stout enough and maybe it is for 8' but maybe not for 10'...for the first time on this forum I wonder if I "under"-built; What did everyone else use for frame on 5x10 TD?... I'm more than willing to go buy all new steel (heavier) and start over....but as you can imagaine, I'd rather not... but I do NOT want to compromise... it looks so good, really, and the wheels and tires are gonna look great... I'll post pictures of those tomorrow after it's rolling, if I don't rebuild.

I'm certainly not an expert on this, but when you put your 'box' teardrop body on there, I don't think that you will see any flex at all.

Don’t worry the body will stiffen it up.

Keith....see above posts...and if you think you have flex...I built in 16ga 2" tubing 4'6" x 10.... Doug

Yeah, what they said, "the box will stiffen it up." This is the frame for my 5X10 trailer. The outside dimensions of the frame are 60"X90" the trailer is 62"X121"

I've posted this pic a few times so I apologize to those who have seen it. Here is my frame, made of 2X2X1/8 tubing. It has 1 crossmember, the tongue looks long in this pic, it was 48in, I ended up taking 20in off of it.

I concur... don't sweat the flex at all. Once the box is on it it will be more than stiff enough and plenty strong for a tear.

My frame is probably the most under built frame (except for H.F.) of all the teardrops built on this board. And a large (at the time) trailer MFG. built my frame. My main frame is three 1x2x1/8" steel channels running the length, with a three 1x1 steel angles running cross wise. So don't worry about it, your building a modified unibody. And besides, you want a little flex, otherwise over a period of time you'll have more stress cracks than you'll know what to do with.


Picture taken from page 3 of my build.

Here's my example of an overbuilt frame sitting next to the original frame.

At the time of the rebuild, I just had to build a stronger frame. Since that time, I've learned that the construction methods used on the original trailer would have actually produced a lighter but equally strong finished trailer. The real strength comes from the wood frame work of the body rather than the steel frame.

In my opinion...Read-"I don't know what I'm talking about"...a frame is something you attach the axle to, and a tongue, in order to move the teardrop forward. It's only purpose is to keep the said axle and tongue from falling off. That's why I over built my frame.... I didn't know better back then....


As I said... In my opinion.....

And the general consensus is: Build your trailer and quit worrying about the frame, it's fine!!!

Hey Keith,
JUst about all the teardrops ive seen here are way overbuilt. Youve Got 3 times the steel in your frame as my 2800lb coleman popup camper has in it and yours completed might weigh in at what maybe 1200 lbs.......Whaddya think!...my offer still stands

Add one more in agreement with the previous replies. Mine is a 10 footer with 2X2 1/8", just like yours. Yes, it flexed until the "box" was installed. You are on the correct path. Keep on going. Your frame looks great.

What they all said!!

Well... one can't go wrong with the experience of this forum, and I'm sure it's overbuilt now after seeing some of the contenders ... I finished up the welding, added the goodies (stablizers, tongue wheel, tires and rims)... I took er on a 40 mile test run and to COOP for weight... 400# complete and 60# tongue weight. Driving was anywhere from 0-80 and there was ZERO sway... quite happy . Considering the HF red trailer (4x8, small wheels, etc.) comes in at 275 I'm very please w/ 400#s. Here she is...prep, prime, paint, lights, etc. to follow.
Thanks for the all the great help guy !!!!!!!!!

Somebody say something about overbuilt frames???
OB OB OB yaa yaa yaa blah blah blah...