Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm thinking of going with Steel tubing as my wall studs and bows. Looking at building an oversize 6'6" wide, 12 long and 5' tall at highest point. What size tubing has been used with success? I want to space the
framing as for apart as possible to reduce the amount of steel used and lower the weight. Is 1/2 too small?? Of course I know it depends on
the design layout. I'm just hoping someone else has been down this road and can give me some insight. Thanks, William
PS, Your a way cool bunch and I apreciate it

Go visit a local cargo trailer dealer and ask what their economy trailers are construted with. Probably 1.5 or 2 inch sqr. with a wall thickness of .080 or .095, on 24" centers, but i'm just guessing. I'll pick mine up in about 3-4 wks. if you can wait that long.

For the sidewalls, I would think 1" square 16ga would be plenty. I've built a lot of projects with this size tubing. It's fairly strong and readily available.

Better quality small cargo trailers often use 16" centers for the wall "studs" (which are usually hat sections rather than tube). The bargain priced trailers use 24" centers and get away with it but usually look a little more shoddy. Roof bows seem to run 24"OC with either grade cargo trailer from what I've seen. I'd run 16" centers for the walls to have better control of the skins, I don't think it would add that much weight to a small trailer. Maybe 16" centers for the roof spars if they are straight tubes rather than bows.

I would probaly depend on how thick the wall are going to be. If you want wide, go with a rectangular tube to give yourself plenty of room for insulation and keep the weight down. Perhaps something like 1 x 2. Personaly I would think 1 x 1 in a thin gauge would be fine like 18 or 20 gauge.

I would go with 1" as thin as you are comfortable welding. You don't want to use too few studs and spars or it will show thru via sags and such.

I am currently in a project using 1".060 squre tube and it is very strong and pretty easy to weld and bend...I dont think the steel tube framework is much heavier than wood with a good design ....you can weld 1/4" gussets in the corners for integrity

I like Rich's idea , the more the better. 1' x 16ga. would work well. Maybe 12ga for your door jams . I think 16ga. is too thin for the screws to bite. .Goodluck . Kerry

Thanks for all the input. Now I'm worried about my lack of welding skills
I have a Lincoln 225 stick welder. I've been trying to use 6011 rods at 75 ,70, 60 amps. I'm not having any luck. I keep burning thru and the welds that don't burn thru break , any suggestions ?? I'm just playing with scrap now, but can't wait to get on the frame. I can wait tho tho make sure its done right. Is this above a beginers relistic abilitys?

It's going to be a struggle to stick weld 16ga. being new at welding . 6011 is a good all purpose rod , good for dirt and grease .Do you know anyone with a 120 mig ?
Migs are alot easier to use . Are you using 3/32 rod ? Practice practice ! Kerry

If it is new and or clean metal use 6013, very easy to weld with. And my experience with "less expensive" lincoln welders and thin metal has not been good. Now my old Forney is much better.

beg, borrow or steal(rent) a 110v wire feed welder such as the lincoln weld pack at home depot(prefrebly with gas flux...co2)this is ideal for welding light guage stuff and is very easy and clean(with gas flux)...you can use your welder for trailer frame, but a wire feed will make you weld like a pro...........Good luck

beg, borrow or steal(rent) a 110v wire feed welder such as the lincoln weld pack at home depot(prefrebly with gas flux...co2)this is ideal for welding light guage stuff and is very easy and clean(with gas flux)...you can use your welder for trailer frame, but a wire feed will make you weld like a pro...........Good luck

Thanks for the tips, I've been practiceing some more, its getting better, still a ways to go tho. 1/8 angle seems to be alot easier to weld. Guess I'll be practicing everyday until I'm comfortable with it. I think alot of my problem was with dirty metal scraps, learned the hard way I have to do a little more cleaning if I want to get anykind of desent weld.

beg, borrow or steal(rent) a 110v wire feed welder such as the lincoln weld pack at home depot(prefrebly with gas flux...co2)this is ideal for welding light guage stuff and is very easy and clean(with gas flux)...you can use your welder for trailer frame, but a wire feed will make you weld like a pro...........Good luck

Thanks for the tips, I've been practiceing some more, its getting better, still a ways to go tho. 1/8 angle seems to be alot easier to weld. Guess I'll be practicing everyday until I'm comfortable with it. I think alot of my problem was with dirty metal scraps, learned the hard way I have to do a little more cleaning if I want to get anykind of desent weld.