Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi everyone. Ive built two TD over the years. Both with 4" drop axles but always had a friend help me weld the frame.
I have always wanted to try this please tell me if it will work or your thoughts.

Im not a welder as some aren't. Can I build a 4' HF trailer. Then get a 5' axle. Mount it above the leaf springs? It would allow me to extend the floor about four or five inches past the frame on each side and install the walls dropped down past the floor. Give it that slammed look like a drop axle. Then if that would work, would I be able to put the axle on the top of the springs instead of below. It would drop it a little but what about when I hit a bump in the road. Would it bottom out.

Kinda a long post, I hope you understand what Im asking.
With all the experience on this forum Im sure someone can help answer.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays to all my Teardrop friends.

Dano

I'd be worried about bending the new longer axel, since it would be extending an additional 6" past its intended support point on each side. Instead of having only a couple inches between the leaf spring and hub, you would now have 6+ inches, creating a MUCH larger upward force on the end of the axel.

Best bet would be to spend a few more $$ and get a 5x8 trailer.

I understand but are the axles that fragile? Guess maybe they would bend with the extra stress. I would need a 4' so I can extend the floor. If I get a 5' then the tire will be so close to the end of the floor and or frame I couldn't do the dropped sides and put some bigger tires on.

I wouldn't say the axles are fragile, but once you use them outside of their intended design criteria, you're risking metal fatigue and eventually failure.

If you went with some super duty axle, I suppose it could work. I wouldn't just grab a longer HF axle. Even if you did that, you'd still have to have someone weld new mounting points on the axle, so that it does not slide back and forth on the leaf springs.

I believe there have been a few people on here that have bent their stock axles, when used as intended. Theres just a heck of a lot of force working on them... not necessarily just when driving on nice roads, but if you accidentally hit a pothole (and this will happen), that instantaneous force is incredible.

Zach, this is why I love this forum. It allows you to throw something out and many minds can think it over.
You make a very good point, thanks
Dano

dano wrote:I understand but are the axles that fragile?

Yes - you are talking about doubling or tripling the bending load on the axle - they don't have that sort of spare strength!

You might be able to get away with using a 3500lb axle like this, but it's still like listening to fingernails being dragged down blackboard....

Dano - it might be possible to give your TD a lowered look by mounting your sidewalls directly on the outside of the HF trailer frame.

Thats exactly what I did with mine (but I didn't flip the axle). I have 3/4" plywood sides and they are bolted to the side of the trailer. It definitely cut down on my tire sidewall clearance - I have about 1/4". Its not much, but have had zero problems with rubbing, and I've taken it down some fairly rough forest service roads.

Although this wouldn't allow you install larger tires.

Maybe you could build with sandwich walls that have 1/4" exterior plywood that bolts to the outside of the frame rails?

Almost forgot... if you do decide to flip the axle (put it on top of the springs) you'll need to notch the leaf spring mounting brackets so the axle does not hit when you go over bumps. Many others have done this successfully.

You guys just talked me right out of it. I think I will just weld up another Or build with HF frame but do a Benroy or something that will work better. when Im ready to build another.
Thanks
Dano

dano, there is more'n one way to skin a cat...one fellah didit thisaway...more pics in his album... http://tnttt.com/album_ ... er_id=1688
madjack

An other option is an "Over the Wheel Build"

The absolute Out to out dimention is 65".

Two "Junior Twin" Mattresses fit inside perfectly.







http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c106/ ... ?start=all

Happy Trails

Len

I built out over the wheels on the Winter Warrior.

I think I was 66" and 67" to the outside skin, depending on which point you were measuring to...







Mike...

I thought about an over the fender type. I would like to some day do a Widget with the HF frame like in the Design Library.
That mini Shasta sure looks good. Ive always liked it when I was a lurker.
This is what I have now and its a 5 wide or just a little under. Enough to enjoy a double bed, 8' long.
Thanks
Dano