Here are some of my beginning ideas for a possible Widget build. I appologize if they have been brought up already. I have searched and have not found much info.
4x8 HF 1800 lbs trailer. I am planning to not chop it up rather, just alter the shape of the two bottom corners of the Widget profile to meet the 8ft length of the HF trailer. Does anybody see any problems with this?
3/8" ply for the walls. No interior skin.
1/4" Luan for roof. No interior skin on ceiling.
3/4" ply for floor. (Is this overkill?)
Typical resin coating for water proofing and fiber glass to reinforce joints.
Do these ideas seem adequate? Any recs?
Thanks everyone.
Calling all Widget experts...
16 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Calling all Widget experts...
by pELF28p » Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:42 am
- pELF28p
- Teardrop Builder
- Posts: 27
- Images: 4
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:15 pm
by angib » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:00 am
I've already done drawings of exactly this idea. Here's the side view:
To make it look right, you need to use curves at the front and back - if you just draw straight lines from the original shape, they will look like hollows. I'll be happy to draw out the modified profile if you let me know you're interested.
As with the modified HF trailer PDF on the Widget page, the trailer will ride somewhat higher than the original (84" high excl roof vent) - though you can reduce that by flipping the axle. However the greater ride height means that you could increase the depth of the dropped footwell by a couple of inches for some more headroom, if you wanted.
The footwell of the Widget is a problem with the HF trailer, as this plan drawing shows:
The bottom half of the drawing shows the unmodifed HF trailer and you can see that the second cross-member cuts through the footwell. You really need to relocate that cross-member 8" further back, as shown in the top half of the drawing, which should be just a drilling operation.
To build a Widget within the 1450lb empty/1650lb laden of the weight estimate (and the HF doesn't leave you any spare), you're going to have to keep the weight down. 3/8" single-skin for the walls sounds fine, though you'll still need the framing to hold it straight, 3/4" for the floor is unnecessary (indeed you could go below 1/2" under the bunks). I'll let others say whether you can bend 1/4" for the roof.
Andrew
To make it look right, you need to use curves at the front and back - if you just draw straight lines from the original shape, they will look like hollows. I'll be happy to draw out the modified profile if you let me know you're interested.
As with the modified HF trailer PDF on the Widget page, the trailer will ride somewhat higher than the original (84" high excl roof vent) - though you can reduce that by flipping the axle. However the greater ride height means that you could increase the depth of the dropped footwell by a couple of inches for some more headroom, if you wanted.
The footwell of the Widget is a problem with the HF trailer, as this plan drawing shows:
The bottom half of the drawing shows the unmodifed HF trailer and you can see that the second cross-member cuts through the footwell. You really need to relocate that cross-member 8" further back, as shown in the top half of the drawing, which should be just a drilling operation.
To build a Widget within the 1450lb empty/1650lb laden of the weight estimate (and the HF doesn't leave you any spare), you're going to have to keep the weight down. 3/8" single-skin for the walls sounds fine, though you'll still need the framing to hold it straight, 3/4" for the floor is unnecessary (indeed you could go below 1/2" under the bunks). I'll let others say whether you can bend 1/4" for the roof.
Andrew
-
angib - 5000 Club
- Posts: 5783
- Images: 231
- Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2004 2:04 pm
- Location: (Olde) England
