Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello to everyone. I have a question about the minimum for tubing size on the trailer frame.
I currently have a 4x6 trailer that has 1.5” square tubing is this big enough for a 5x10 tear?
I know the size of the trailer will need to be widened and length added but is the tubing going to be strong enough?
As for the axel it also will need to be widened, it has two leaf springs and a four bolt pattern with the smaller wheel and tire, how do I change it to use a 205/75 14?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Hey Jeff,

You didn't give us a clue as to the thickness of your tubing...

When I built my frame, I talked to the experts, and I ended up building a 2x2x1/8" wall frame, with a tongue of 2x2x3/16".

Some folks suggest you can go thinner, but you risk catastrophic failure if you do.

Sum is on the board, and has a whole lot of experience in this matter. We should bounce this off of Sum...

Mike...

I have not yet measured the thickness, but I’m certain it is 1/8 just by eyeballing it.
I use it to haul my four wheeler without problems. I got it when my grand father died and he used it to haul dirt, gravel etc. around the farm in the summer, and to haul clothes furniture etc., from WV to FL every year.

Just trying to save a buck, only if it is safe though.
Thanks Jeff

Jeff, you got a photo of that trailer that you can share with us?

Mike...

Mike I will need to take a pic. I won't be able to take one till tue. evening or wed. though, I work a 24 hr. shift tomorrow and have to take my Uncle to the VA. tue. for a Doctor appt.

Mike I am going to see if there is enogh light to let me get a pic, I will be back in a min.

I'll be here Wednesday if that's the soonest you can get a good photo. I'll be here Thursday too! and Friday... and Saturday... and Sunday!!!

Opps, I'll be drywalling this weekend. Is anyone here an expert at mud? Does anyone want to visit MI? I was afraid of that...

Mike...

jeffwholmes wrote:Ok I think these should show up ok.
Under side one.

[img]
Under side two.
[/img]
Under side three.
[img]
Above view.
[/img]

Thanks.

Jeff, if you need a place to host your photos, you can either put them in a personal album... Album-> Your Personal Gallery -> Upload Pic

or you can upload it to BG's page
http://www.teardrops.us/
and use his link to embed it right into the page...

Mike...

Jeff,

I just went and tried to look at your photos. It seems that if you are not a member you can't see them.

I would try BG's uploader... it's free... or just email them to me and I'll post them...

Mike...

Ok lets see if this works.

That worked like a champ... so what was the question... can you build a 20' x 40' mobile home on your 4x6' trailer?

Just kidding...

Let me analyze your remaining photos...

Mike...

Ok Mike thanks.

I suspect that if you take special precautions, that you could build a 5x10 tear on your 4x6 trailer. A lot is going to depend on your design, and on your construction techniques. I would bounce the idea off of Andrew, (he should be back in about a week) and in the meantime, tell us how you are thinking of building the body. Will the sidewalls be solid plywood? How about the floor? 2x2 pine with 3/4" plywood on top of it? The thought here is that if you build a rigid box, you don't need as much metal frame underneath...

So let us know what you are thinking...

Mike...

Jeff,

In the photo of the trailer tillted, it looks like you can measure the thickness of the tubing where the tilt pin hole is located. I'd say if it is 1/8" thickness, it should work OK if you continue with the same material.

Additionally, if you want to go to 5 lig wheels, you can replace the hubs and bolt them on.

I’m thinking along the lines of Andrew’s HF design, I really like the looks of Brad J’s tear. I love the wood, is that birch he used?

My sides will be ¾ birch with ¾ foam board and ¼ oak ply inside.
My plan for the floor is 2x2 treated frame with 22/32 ext. ply.

What is your opinion?