Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello - Newbie here - been reading and trying to absorb as much info as I can from this site over the last few days - it's quite a resource. I've done some searches but have been unable to find info on my query, so sorry if it has been posted and I just missed it.

I am considering the design/build of a "sport hauler/teardrop" and one of the restrictions I have is that I have to be able to store the trailer in the back of my garage - sideways. I most likley will go with a 4x8 trailer footprint - or slightly smaller - but the tongue sticking out is a problem. I would have to be able to remove/compress/retract or whatever, the tongue when storing the trailer.

Has anyone got some links/ideas/pictures of how people may have attacked this sort of issue? A-frame, straight, composite are all valid at this stage I suppose. I am envisioning rolling the trailer onto small wheel dollys and then just pivoting the whole thing into it's storage location.

Thanks!

Lewis

Check WarPonys album...he has a removable tongue on his...Doug

I can't help you with the trailer, but you are right about this being a great resource. If you haven't taken the time to read many of the posts, I would suggest it. Some of the members have done things to their builds that I would have never thought of.

When I discovered this site, I knew exactly what I wanted, but now that I have seen so many ideas it gets confusing. Just when i have it figured out, someone posts something I like better.......

A good example is reading your post...I have wondered how to turn the trailer sideways in a small area, but you have a great idea with the dollys......

Here you go Lewis. Warpony did a great removable tongue.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=14270

Rolly's 1/4 stacker is worth looking at too. You might be able to use his ideas too.

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... ser_id=580

Here is his website
http://www.gages-56.com/roly.html

im doing the exact same thing as warpony but mostly for when i go to car shows the majority of people im with are tenting and we stack all of us basically on top of each other in a open field at the shows so i just didnt want it in the way and bumping into it all the time

Two things come to mind about using a receiver-type setup:

- If you make the receiver yourself, the fixing pin should be horizontal, not vertical and it should be inset at least several inches from the end of the receiver. This is so as not to weaken the tongue.

- At least one person has included a hole with a nut welded over it, so that a bolt can be screwed through the nut to jam against the tongue and stop it rattling.

You may want to look at Dave Nathanson's thread about his removable tongue break. I don't mean to suggest there's any problem with doing this, but it needs to be done with care.

You would do well to think about using something like a 3" x 2" x 1/8" tongue to give enough strength - my tongue strength guide may help.

Andrew

Holy smokes - look at all these answers piling up in the thread I started last night

Thanks for all your suggestions - I am off to "fill my boots" with the links and pointers that you fellows have provided. Will be back when I absorb it all.

Cheers,
Lewis

I tried removing my tongue once.



Could'nt speak for a week afterwards.




Cheers
Paul

LewisCobb wrote:Hello - Newbie here - been reading and trying to absorb as much info as I can from this site over the last few days - it's quite a resource. I've done some searches but have been unable to find info on my query, so sorry if it has been posted and I just missed it.

I am considering the design/build of a "sport hauler/teardrop" and one of the restrictions I have is that I have to be able to store the trailer in the back of my garage - sideways. I most likley will go with a 4x8 trailer footprint - or slightly smaller - but the tongue sticking out is a problem. I would have to be able to remove/compress/retract or whatever, the tongue when storing the trailer.

Has anyone got some links/ideas/pictures of how people may have attacked this sort of issue? A-frame, straight, composite are all valid at this stage I suppose. I am envisioning rolling the trailer onto small wheel dollys and then just pivoting the whole thing into it's storage location.

Thanks!

Lewis

Hi Lewis,

I built a removable tongue on the Desert Dawg using a receiver hitch tube on the trailer and 2x2 steel for the removable part.





One note, be sure you design the tongue so the trailer jack is mounted on the trailer portion of the tongue, not the removable part! Guess how I know that??

Joanne

PaulC wrote:I tried removing my tongue once.



Could'nt speak for a week afterwards.




Cheers
Paul

Miriam C. wrote:

PaulC wrote:I tried removing my tongue once.



Could'nt speak for a week afterwards.




Cheers
Paul

Goodnight Miriam

PaulC wrote:

Miriam C. wrote:

PaulC wrote:I tried removing my tongue once.



Could'nt speak for a week afterwards.




Cheers
Paul

Goodnight Miriam

tell the 8 little men good night too. And the big green oger and the beauty.

is it not easier to put a hole in the garage wall I designd my chassis so the drawbar is put through the side door to sqare up the trailer then pulled back in to let the door close, mind you my garage is 10 foot wide

Mini Renegade wrote:is it not easier to put a hole in the garage wall I designd my chassis so the drawbar is put through the side door to sqare up the trailer then pulled back in to let the door close, mind you my garage is 10 foot wide

I just wanna see a picture!

Mini Renegade wrote:is it not easier to put a hole in the garage wall I designd my chassis so the drawbar is put through the side door to sqare up the trailer then pulled back in to let the door close, mind you my garage is 10 foot wide

for some reason that reminds me of this picture of a redneck flat panel tv