Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

OK... I purchased a 1967 pop-up trailer and have begun stripping it to the frame to start my first build. I just noticed that it uses a dual leaf-spring suspension on 8" tires (4.80-8) rated to 590lbs at 60psi. I'm pretty certain the bolt pattern is 5 on 4-1/2 inches and would consider a larger tire size, but as the tires are mounted underneath the frame I have very little space to work with.

Here's a photo of the trailer:


And of the axel & tires:


Currently there is only approx. 2.5" clearance between the top of my tires and the underside of the flooring. I could raise the floor using 2"x2" framing or integrate an internal wheel well into my design, but would rather not complicate things more than necessary. I plan on building a very basic & light teardrop (Benroy design) with single skin walls and a "screen & tarp" roof.

Will I be OK running with the existing tires? I won't be doing any back county camping, so typical concrete / gravel roads will be all this trailer will see.

Thanks,
Ken

How wide are you going to make the teardrop?? what is the width between the wheels ? If the wheels are far enough apart(say 4 foot 6") then you can change the wheel diameter and run them under external fenders and build a 4foot wide trailer.

Stix

Hi Stix,

The trailer is 5.5' wide with the wheels being approx. 4.5' - 5' apart (I'll need to measure to confirm). The tires have approx. 3" clearance from the side of the chasis frame, so a wider tire may be possible (never thought of that option). Unfortunately, a tire upgrade isn't really in the cards for this year, but I'm trying to construct the teardrop taking this into account for next year. I'm sure I could get 4.80-12 tires to fit by simply raise the floor. (My choices are a bit limited, as I don't weld and have no idea how to modify the chasis / axel myself.)

I guess what I need to know is whether the 4.80-8 tires I have will be suitable until I can upgrade (likely to the 4.80-12) tires next spring?

Thanks again,
Ken

You can have a teardrop with the wheels under, I do !

bobhenry wrote:You can have a teardrop with the wheels under, I do !

Most certainly can have them under,but I think Ken might need to get all the old body panels off and get down to the bare frame,that way he can see better how to go about it and if he can build the trailer he wants,

Stix

Absolutely

The frame often will give you the best idea of what you can and can't do !

I have changed direction on 2 of my builds after I got a good look at the foundation I was building on.

Thanks, guys! I certainly plan on stripping the trailer back to the bare frame and building up from there. I'm not really concerned that the tires are underneath the frame at all, and have pretty much decided that I am going to elevate my new floor on 2x2's with the intention of upgrading my tires to 4.80-12's next year. I just haven't been able to find anyone that's built a tear on 4.80-8 tires.

Am I realistically going to be able to keep my weight under their 590lbs limit? Any other issues / concerns / pitfalls I should be aware of?

Cheers,
Ken

If that is the rating printed on the tire sidewall remember you have two tires so 1180 pounds would be your suggested maximum weight. The little white trailer in my picture came in at 525 pounds total with bedding but without camping equipment.

I had a tire failure on Chubby heading to a gathering and towed him home on a 12" and an 8" ( my space saver spare) and he weighs in at 1870 #

Thanks, Bob! I never even thought to double the weight rating due to having 2 tires. Can you tell I'm new to all of this?!?!??? I'm almost down to the bare frame and have discovered that 4.80-12 tires will be WAAYYYY too high -- I'd need to elevate the floor about 8" or add an wheel well into my build (taking up my floor space). So, I think I'll leave the current 4.80-8 tires in place with a possible upgrade to 5.70-8's in the future. I suppose my only other option would be to upgrade the axel to something extending beyond the frame to allow for larger tires -- but that's far too much work for me. I'll just be happy with my Teardrop and it's tiny little tires!

Cheers,
Ken

I got my trailer frame from an old tent trailer with 12" wheels and tires. In my build, I've gone to 14" wheels and tires . built a wheel well and placed the "sleep platform" on top of that. The space between the floor on the frame and the sleep platform is for storage and also houses my fresh water and grey water tanks. That way I don't lose any sleeping room to the wheel wells. I could have even put in a king bed. I'll try to post pics later this weekend.