Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi All
I know that some of you out there have built a 5x10x5 high benroy. I need some advice on axle placment. I have a 2x2x1/8 frame and a tor flex axle with a 22 Deg down angle. I dont plan on puting any weight on the front of the trailer (box or gas tanks)and I would like to keep my tongue weight under 200#. I'm constructing the sides out of 1/2" ply with 1" of insulation and 1/4"luan inside.Any help would be great.

I'm also thinking about building my rear hatch frame out of 1" box tubing. Has anyone done this before?

Thanks Joe

joe43952 wrote:I'm also thinking about building my rear hatch frame out of 1" box tubing. Has anyone done this before?

Thanks Joe

Hey Joe...
I can't help with axle placement but i do have an opinion about the hatch frame. I originally was going to do a steel frame for my hatch but the way mine is being constructed the wood needed to be sealed to the steel. I chose to build mine from wood so i could epoxy coat the whole thing. If you are sealing your hatch outside the steel frame i'd say it would be a good idea. Very strong even from 1/16" steel tube...

I suggest 50" from the back of the body (not the back of the frame, if that's different) is a reasonable compromise to keep the tongue weight under 200lb but still make a trailer that's stable to tow.

However, if you plan to put a lot of stuff in the galley, then reducing this to 46" (or even 42" for a really heavy galley) would be sensible.

Andrew

Thanks guys

I have a plan in my head to be able to adjust the axle after the build is compleate, and the trailer is loaded. I am going to mount the axle on 2x2 angle with slots cut in them. My bolts will go through the floor and the frame. The slots in the angle should give me about 3" of adjustment front to back. after I find the correct position, I will weld the angle to the box tubing to prevent any shifting. I just needed a good starting point.

I can come close to calculating the weight for the trailer. But as you said, a heavy galley could realy mess up the weight ratio. If I know my wife she will have every camping item that we own stuffed in the galley.

I could if i need to mount a box in the front for battery and other supplies to shift some of the weight back on to the tongue I will do it.

This by far is the hardest part of the build for me! I have built many utility trailers. They are easy because you can adjust the load to get the desired tongue weight.

Thanks again guys for all your help. Anyone else want to chime in?

Thanks Joe