Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Since my trailer design is a slightly larger (currently about 10.5' x 5'), I am looking to build light.

I am going to need stabilizer jacks in the rear because I am going to be entering the trailer right behind the axle. But I was wondering if there was any reason to have one on each corner?

So I thought I would just put one in the center of the rear under the galley to save the weight of having two, and for quicker setup.

Does anyone see any problems with this? I think I would have to mount it forward a little ways to allow for foot clearance when working in the galley, but other then that, with a jack in the front, the two wheels in the center, and one leveler in the back, I imagine it would be very stable.

By the way, here is an updated picture for how the trailer planing is coming along. The profile has changed a lot based on my interior desires. It is weird but 100% mine!

A single stabilizer would minimize the chance of the trailer tipping backward, and aid in leveling on it's long axis, but would not do much to prevent rocking side to side. A pair of jacks on the rear corners allows you to level the trailer, and minimize rocking. IMO.

dsmith wrote:..but would not do much to prevent rocking side to side. IMO.

You see, that is why I asked. Experience tells.

I did not think about the movement of the torsion axle "springs" when we are inside the trailer. I can see that particularly during certain activities in the trailer I would need to post a sign "when the trailers rocking, don't come a knocking".

Ok. Two it is.

Is Arizona all flat ?

The reason I ask is here in Hoosier land we have sites in our state parks that drop or rise front to back up to 2 feet in the length of the tear and a foot from side to side. Makes sleeping a bit uncomfortable for the person down hill. We level both rear corners then nose to tail. We are generally a little nose down because we sleep head to the galley wall and wife has sleeping problems that are alleviated by head being slightly elevated but the best part the hatch door is elevated too so I don't slam my head in it as often

More good points. I figured I would just level the trailer from side to side on wheel blocks, and then front to back with the rear and front central levelers. But I can see that it would be easier to level the trailer side to side with something made to do that. Beats bringing a bunch of leveling blocks with me.

Do you ever have a wheel hanging in the air when leveling with the rear jacks? Or do you always block the wheels?

Out of the last 4 gathering I have had one of the wheels off the ground 3 times. But setting on 3 jacks you are not going to roll anywhere kinda makes a wheel chock like wearing a belt and suspenders!

Guess it would be a great time to shake a wheel and check wheel bearing play

Galen,
IMHO you need 3 solid points on the ground. I use the tongue jack and 2 stabilizers at the rear where the bed is. I also have 2 in the front but seldom use them. (at this point in life I don't worry about the trailer rockin' much) On your design I would think 2 stabilizers just behind the wheels under the door would be ideal. My standy is over 2000# and I find it is difficult to level it much with the Atwood stabilizers. I use a block under the tires to get it close and tweak it with the jacks

Nice design work

Jim

That's an attractive and original design - and I'm glad to see you weren't tempted to move the wheels forward where they wouldn't interfere with the door... but wouldn't give you the right hitch weight.

Andrew

angib wrote:That's an attractive and original design - and I'm glad to see you weren't tempted to move the wheels forward where they wouldn't interfere with the door... but wouldn't give you the right hitch weight.

Andrew

Yep, that is the difficult part about this design, keeping the axle far enough back, while still allowing room for the door and and nice deep galley. But since we step into the trailer drop floor area (instead of directly on the bed), and we have more height then most tears, a narrow door at the bottom works. Plus we are pretty small folk.

I also plan to have some of the heavy stuff, battery, charger and propane tank in the forward box on the tongue, as well as building a very light galley to make sure my tongue weight is suitable. There will also be a decent sized water tank just forward of the axle underneith.

angib wrote:That's an attractive and original design - and I'm glad to see you weren't tempted to move the wheels forward where they wouldn't interfere with the door... but wouldn't give you the right hitch weight.

Andrew

I second that – pretty clever. A good location for the two aft jacks would seem to be just aft of the door. The vertical galley wall and side wall intersection is about as robust as it gets (not that it matters so much because the loads are pretty low anyway).

Thanks for the kind comments on the design. I had specific things I wanted, and the design followed.

And yes, I think placing the rear jacks close to that galley bulkhead/wall is just the ticket. Good idea.

By the way kennyrayandersen, I see your avatar (notice, I am about to destroy this thread), and I am an avid snorkeler also. Check out the picture of the Caribbean Reef Squid I got about half way down this page at the link below. I am pretty proud of it.
http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-gladden-cayes.html

If my trailer is rockin,,,,, CALL 911 NOW,,,, Somebody broke in and is using my trailer

Galen wrote:Thanks for the kind comments on the design. I had specific things I wanted, and the design followed.

And yes, I think placing the rear jacks close to that galley bulkhead/wall is just the ticket. Good idea.

By the way kennyrayandersen, I see your avatar (notice, I am about to destroy this thread), and I am an avid snorkeler also. Check out the picture of the Caribbean Reef Squid I got about half way down this page at the link below. I am pretty proud of it.
http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-gladden-cayes.html

I was going to say – nice pics, especially the squid, when I realized you said to look at the squid! I like to do it when I get a chance.

My avatar is from the Gulf of Aqaba (Right side of Sinai off the top of the Red Sea). It was really spectacular. If someone is looking for a vacation a bit ‘north’ of tear dropping, I highly recommend a 3 or 4 day Israel (Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Jerusalem, /Egypt (Sinai – either Taba height or Sharm El Sheikh)/Jordan (Petra, which can be done as a day trip from either Egypt or Israel) . The Red Sea is pretty fantastic for snorkeling (or diving).

Hey, what's with this trailer rockin stuff?
I don't understand any of this.

Errol wrote:Hey, what's with this trailer rockin stuff?
I don't understand any of this.

Stabilizer Testing. Atwood, Fulton, and BAL have teams that do nothing but this all day.