Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am finally getting to the point where I am going to start my tear. Want to build a Kenskill model, 5 x 10. I am primarily a woodworker and know very little about tire size, and axles. My concern is that I don't want my tear to look "perched" on a set of wheels. also I am not too sure about what axle to get in respect to how much should the axle stick out past the frame. I want there to be enough clearance, I have read a few horror stories of folks who have had the torsion arm of the axle not clear the side or their tear. I am planning on using a flexride axle and want to use 14" wheels.
I know this topic has most likley been covered somewhere, but I cant seem to find it.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Rick

check this thread....some links to the info you need. I'd also google Southwest wheel and check out the flexiride axles...give them a call. They are more than willing to help out...806 765-9421 Doug

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... =flexiride

As you stated, this issue comes into play if you want a teardrop that "sits" lower than most. I wanted the same look, and partly as a result I had to "notch" my sidewalls to allow clearance for the torsion arm.



Actually, my torsion arm cleared the sidewall by about 1/4", but I wanted a little more clearance. The trouble comes in fitting stock wheels to the fenders and axle you selected.

I don't know about the Flexiride axle, but the Dexter axle I used offers a short spindle option. I didn't, but should have, selected that option. I could have then had greater clearance on the torsion arms.

height of tear on the wheels

Any advice would be appreciated.

The very first thing you'll need to know is what tire/wheel combo you'd like to use... and go from there!

So first select a tire/wheel combo... and from that you'll get a tire overall diameter, half of which will be the trailer axle's wheel SPINDLE height. You'll need to know the spindle height before you continue if you want to achieve a specific trailer ride height.

If, as you say, you don't want the trailer to look "perched" on top of the wheel/tire combo... then start with at least a 14" diameter wheel and a 70-series tire. That will give you an overall tire diatmeter starting in the neighborhood of 24".... which means the axle spindle height would be 12".

Where're you located? Sometimes a personal visit from someone who's already designed and/or built a teardrop can be a huge help...

Read the thread Doug linked you to, and, good luck!

If you order from Dexter Axle, they require that you talk with one of their reps. They'll go through what you are looking for (sizes, weights, etc etc) and will send you a spec sheet that includes every dimension you could possibly need for designing the rest of your trailer. There's not commitment needed to get the spec sheet...you actually have to approve it before they'll build your axle.

They were very patient with my "questions of ignorance" and helped me get exactly what I wanted.

Lots of good information, Thanks. I am located about 35 miles west of St. louis.

MM #1 had a negative offset axle #7 now has a 0 offset and will get the air shocks to gain more height when desired. The reason is that I drug ass a number of times with too little clearance.

rick5860 wrote:Lots of good information, Thanks. I am located about 35 miles west of St. louis.

Looks like you are right down the road from me, I am in St. Peters. Can't help you with the axle though. I too am primarily a woodworker, so I bought my frame off of craiglist from a guy in Foristell. It is a 5x9 and has leaf springs.

I did like what Chris said, I picked and measured my wheel, fender, and how the teardrop was going to sit on the frame before I ordered my axle. Like Tom, My teardrop side hides the frame so I had to get some extra clearance for that too. I ordered a dexter axle from AAWheel in Kansas found them on the internet. I did pick the short spindle option and it gave me another inch (half inch per side that is) to clear the side of the tear without adding another inch to the total width of the axle.

Yes, dexter gives a great very detailed print out of what you are getting before you order so I know pretty much what I am going to get and how it will fit on the tear including how high your frame will be off the ground at no load and full load (around 15 inches for me). I ordered it on Monday and they said it take only 5 - 7 days for manufacture then it will ship Fedex ground. Had to have it come to my work address though, no home delivery.

It cost me 192.39 for a #9 torflex axle + 40-45 shipping.

I was pretty anal in taking my time ordering it so I hope I did it right. It's been holding up my build for the last couple of weeks. Now I should be good to go.

John