Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I have just finished my new lightweight frame. It is going to hold a Modernistic/Cub style tear 4 1/2 feet wide. The frame is a bolt together 2x2 1/8" angle with a 2x3 1/8" tongue. the torsion axle reinforcements are 2x2 3/16" angle. With all of the linear feet of angle, the tongue, nuts and bolts I estimate the frame to weigh about 127 lbs. as it sits without axle or wheels. I am not going to have it welded. The nuts are torqued and with Loctite. The floor will keep it square. I am basically using the frame suggested by Mike in the thread labeled "Lightweight frame building" Attached is a picture. You may also see the start of frame building on my Yahoo Photos accessed through the Hall of Fame under Jerome Guffey's 46 Kit.


Jerome

You might want to double check the name of the jpg that you uploaded. Everything else looks good!

Mike...

I like the looks of it, and the bracing.... the tongue in on the slender side, but the bracing should let it work nicely....... a tongue jack might put a temporary twist in the tongue.....

The size of the pic is what makes scrolling necessary.... make it smaller, would be better....

dguff,

I like the looks of it too...

Could you get out there and take a few more photos for us... especially the joints...

Thanks...

Mike...

What size nuts and bolts did you use? I've been trying to decide on a frame and I think I just did. Thanks for sharing, that is one thing I have noticed in this forum, everyone is so willing to share ideas, pictures, etc. It is really great for a new trailer builder such as myself.

Scott Forsen

I used 3/8" by 1" galvanized bolts, nuts and lock washers. Everything is torqued to 40 ft.lbs. Through the tongue and angle are 3/8 by 3" galvanized bolts. I really don't think that tongue will twist with a jack. I will post more details on the joints and so on as soon as I can. I am not sure how to make the photos smaller. Any tips on that? Thanks for looking.

Jerome

Download a copy of paintshop pro from jasc.com

Then open up your photo, and say "image"->"resize"->640x480
Then "File"->"Save"

Mike...

dguff wrote: I am not sure how to make the photos smaller. Any tips on that? Thanks for looking.

Jerome

Irfanview from Download.com is a remarkable userfriendly and (FREE) Photo viewer and editor.

Click Image - resize/resample - then pick 640x480 or customize the size.

Lots of other free editors but this one I really like.

Geron

dguff wrote:I used 3/8" by 1" galvanized bolts, nuts and lock washers. Everything is torqued to 90 ft.lbs. Through the tongue and angle are 3/8 by 3" galvanized bolts. I really don't think that tongue will twist with a jack. I will post more details on the joints and so on as soon as I can. I am not sure how to make the photos smaller. Any tips on that? Thanks for looking.

Jerome

Jerome,

I don't mean to be a nitpicker here but something doesn't make sense to me, I don't know of a 3/8" bolt that wouldn't be overstressed at 90 ft lbs. Most grade 8 fasteners would torque to 40- 45 ft lbs for 3/8", 65-70 for a 7/16" & 90-105 for 1/2".

Mike wrote,

Download a copy of paintshop pro from jasc.com

Then open up your photo, and say "image"->"resize"->640x480
Then "File"->"Save"

=============================

One step further in paintshop pro is that when you use the "save as" function and save your image as a jpg, you can click the options button in the save box and then run the optimizer. With it set at 40 - 60% you will get a much greater reduction in file size.

Hi Kevin,
Nits are meant to be picked and you are absolutely right. My frame bolts are torqued to 40 ft. lbs., not 90. I was working on my old Buick yesterday,rotating tires, changing oil etc. getting ready for Minden and I torqued those lug nuts to 90 ft. lbs. That must have stuck in my mind when I was answering the post. Thanks for helping to get that info corrected. I have edited the earlier post.

Jerome

what was the estimated cost w/o the axle?

I had the metal cut at the supply shop to my dimensions, so I only had to make a couple of cuts with my sawzall at home. The steel, cuts, and nuts,bolts,washers came to about $115. With the Torflex axle coming and some surplus 15" wheels I have, a $16 coupler. some safety chain, and a spare folding screw jack I have the total cost for the rolling frame will be under $450.

Jerome

Here is some more detail of the tongue attachment before priming and painting. Again it is upside down.
http://www.teardrops.us/userfiles/dguff/tongue.jpg
Jerome

im a rookie so sorry bout all the questions. where exactly did you get the steel? reccomendations on the most inexpensive places?

thanks for your help!!!

cjm