Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Long time reader and lurker - First time poster! I'm going to start a tear in the near future - 5' wide, 9' long, 4' high. Similar in profile to the 'Phil's Windsong' The interior will be very minimalist with the 'standard' galley in the rear

Will 1 1/2 by 3 inch box tubing with 4 crossmembers suffice for the frame? What gauge?

I'll need a 1500 torsion axle for a 60 inch platform, similar to the Reliable axle Notrhern sells for building a snowmobile trailer, but the only one they stock is a 45 degree down angle and I need a 10 degree up angle, coupled with a low profile mount (so I can keep the platform as close to the roadway as possible, especially since I'm using 15 inch wheels) - Reliable sells exactly such an axle, but Northern doesn't stock them . . . . what's a good source to order it 'custom built' from? We have a compact 5 door hatch (Mazda Protege 5) and I want to keep the trailer height at or below that of the car, which is about 55 inches. Can these axles be ordered with longer spindles so you can use FWD style car wheels? I would like to use the same wheels as my car uses if possible, so one spare can work for both

Most tears have the axles off-centered quite a bit to the back. I will have a small A/C and a Honda EU2000 genset and the spare tire in front near the tongue - Will the battery, fridge, water tank, galley and all weigh enough to keep me from having too much tongue weight? I'm shooting for about an 800 to 900 pound trailer. Would you wait until the project is finished and then position the axle last, so it can be adjusted for about 80 pounds of tongue weight? I like the look of the axle farther back, and as low to the ground as I want to make this one, it would sure help with not dragging the back end going in and out of gas stations and such

I have lots of experience building both trailers (though not camping trailers) plus projects made of plywood and epoxy . . . . I've built several small boats and dingys so I don't see any major hurdles to overcome. I have a welder and can use it plus most of the necessary tools. Need to get this finished by early fall so we can make a cross-country trip

Don

wwelcome aboard...glad yu decided to comeinto the light...I would recommend a Dexter axle...start your search amongst the "stickies" located here: http://tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=35 Dexter will build the axle you want and ship it tuya for around 200Bucks(no brakes)...the Reliable(?) axles have a notso good rep...

...the 1.5x3" tube is probably about twice what ya need for the frame bust would work ofr the tongue...11ga(1/8") is common...I believe that Doug used 16ga(thinner) 2x2 for the RockeTear build and that frame build is detailed in the link (Trailer Tutorial) at the top of this page...as you start your build, don't forget to take lottsa pics or AuntieMs bubble oil(tech term) will get out of level(not a good thing)......
madjack

I found my axles!

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-2317-1400-lb-torsion-half-axles.aspx

Flexiride makes stub axles in various load capacties (550 pounds/pair up through 3500 pounds/pair) and the 1400 pounds/pair and up models have removable, splined arms so you can adjust the trailer height to whatever you wish - I can mount mine on top of the frame and notch the floor around them and then set the arms to an upward angle of 25 degrees or so and get the trailer frame down to within 6 inches or so of the ground, even using 15 inch automotive wheels/tires. This is important to me so that I can make the overall height of the tear about the same as the roof of the tow vehicle so I'll have minimal wind resistance and still have adequate ceiling height inside the trailer

Cost is about $240 a pair including the hubs in the 1400 pound size that I need

Don

That's what I would have recommended too. I got my axle from them, and their axles are splined, so you can change the start angle to anything you want.

Good choice...

Now tell us about your digital camera... errr.. I mean, show us some pics!!!

Mike...

P.S. welcome to the forum!

Alphacarina wrote:Long time reader and lurker - First time poster!

I'm going to start a tear in the near future - 5' wide, 9' long, 4' high. Similar in profile to the 'Phil's Windsong' The interior will be very minimalist with the 'standard' galley in the rear

I'm shooting for about an 800 to 900 pound trailer.

I have lots of experience building both trailers (though not camping trailers) plus projects made of plywood and epoxy . . . . I've built several small boats and dingys so I don't see any major hurdles to overcome. I have a welder and can use it plus most of the necessary tools. Need to get this finished by early fall so we can make a cross-country trip

Don

Welcome Don

Sounds like you have experience and have found the right place not only to ask but to help others.

Welcome aboard.

Ron D.

mikeschn wrote:Now tell us about your digital camera... errr.. I mean, show us some pics!!!

I've got the camera . . . . just nothing to take a picture of . . . . . yet!

I'm collecting bits and pieces so that when I get started I can stay moving and not get hung up hunting for parts . . . . . like I usually do

Got several expensive things to buy - $800 for an Engel refrigerator, about a grand for a Honda EU2000i, a cheap air conditioner, a fantastic fan, an Optima battery - Frame pieces and a few hundred dollars worth of wood and supplies are the least of my worries

Pictures will come in due time . . . . . I promise!

Don