Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Pros and Cons...Comet plans call for 3 1/2 channel for the tongue but it seems like I could run my wires through and protect them if I used 3 x 2 x 3/16 box....(I'm modifying the Comet to 5' wide)...Thoughts?

JuneauD....I built the Comet....I found that the 3 x 1.5 channel bent when it was all said and done...and I had 2x2 angle back from the tongue to the frame....hooked the frame to the truck and jumped on the tongue....it bent!!!! I ended up boxing it with another piece of channel....if you check out the photos closely in the Kuffel Creek plans you will find that further back in the book he has the channel boxed also..see page 22 ...no mention of it up front however, in Chassis and welding page 9 also not shown in shop drawings on page 74....I think you will be better off going with the rec. tube...just laying things out for my next one and that is the plan....after boxing mine....it's way stiff....but added a lot of weight to it...I'm thinking like 5#/foot...I had good luck with the plans...just think this one slipped by him and he solved it the same way I did.....My opinion....do the tube from the get go....just my experience....Doug

Juneaudave,

I'm using a 2 x 3 x 14 gauge tube for my tongue. Not terribly heavy, but really strong.

I'm thinking box beam myself and was wondering why you would use channel on this application. In general...channel isn't really efficient in a bending motion where the open end is on the bottom. The strength of steel comes from tension. I'm out of pocket next week, but when I return, I'll dig up some information on structural properties of common steel shapes. That should shed some light on weight/foot and the mechanical properties....Juneaudave

for my 5ft wide Comet I used two pieces of the 3" Uchannel welded together to form a square from the coupler to back past the second cross member. I only have a few thousand miles on the tear, lots in Mexico, and have had no problem.

I thought that the 3" Uchannel was not strong enough by itself.

kai

Dave,
I used 2 x 3 x 3/16 box tube on my tounge and welded in a strap truss tounge stiffner as well...
Overkill?... Maybe, but I know where it's going to be towed.

my trailer used 2x2x1/4 for the tongue. Also put in triangualted straps to the x-members for strength (on a h/f1800) to keep the x-member honest, as they are not that beefy. used the 2x2 'cause that is what was available in the scrap pile. It's good enoug, but not overkill, for sure. 2x3 box would be nice.

Channel with its web horizontal (ie, flanges on left and right) is really weak in vertical bending. Here's some numbers, using a 2"x2"x1/8" box for the (vertical bending) strength comparison:

3"x1.5"x1/4" channel, web horizontal, 5.0lb/ft, strength 52%
2"x2"x1/8" square tube, 3.1lb/ft, strength 100%
3"x2"x14g (.083") rectangular tube, 3" vertical, 2.7lb/ft, strength 128%
3"x1.5"x1/4" channel, web horizontal, boxed with 1/4" plate, 6.6lb/ft, strength 164%
2"x2"x1/4" square tube, 5.8lb/ft, strength 167%
3"x1.5"x1/4" channel, web vertical, 5.0lb/ft, strength 230%
3"x2"x3/16" rectangular tube, 3" vertical, 5.6lb/ft, strength 241%

Andrew

on edit - added Arne's 2x2x1/4

Juneaudave wrote:if I used 3 x 2 x 3/16 box....(I'm modifying the Comet to 5' wide)...Thoughts?

That's what I used.
http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=1991

I used 2"X3"X1/8" with a 1 1/2"X2"X1/8" angle iron A-frame and it is more than strong enough for a tongue. That's all we used on 2000# utility trailers when I was building them and we never had one come back bent or broke, unless of course someone did something really stupid.
I've stood on my and bounced just to check it and there is no noticeable flex.

I too have the Comet plans but see nothing about boxing the tongue. I'm sure glad you guys mentioned this before I started my build.

One guy, don't remember who, used 3" x 3" x 1/4" and I've been thinking about using this from the tongue to the rear if there is no interference with the axle with "A" frame supports (made with the 2" x 2" x 3/16" tube extended to the second cross piece frame member) on the tongue to help support the battery box and maybe a storage box. I plan to make the Comet 60" wide.

Is this too much for the Comet? I want it to be solid but not too much overkill.

John

cmac wrote:
One guy, don't remember who, used 3" x 3" x 1/4" and I've been thinking about using this from the tongue to the rear if there is no interference with the axle with "A" frame supports (made with the 2" x 2" x 3/16" tube extended to the second cross piece frame member) on the tongue to help support the battery box and maybe a storage box.

I want it to be solid but not too much overkill.

John

Yep, waaaay too much overkill unless you're shooting for a 4k trailer. If you must use 3"X3" tubing cut it down to 1/8" wall, still more than you'll need but plenty strong. You could mount oh, maybe 8-10 batteries there without a problem. With the 3"X3" you don't really need the A-frame except for your tongue box support so you could make that from 2"X2"X1/8" angle and cut your tongue weight considerably. Even if it don't matter to your tow vehicle you'll find moving it around without all that excess weight much easier.

Nitetimes:

Thanks for the info. Had not considered the angle iron for the tongue "A" frame - good ideal!


I am having a bit of a problem finding someone to do my trailer frame, but I think I am finally getting close. This site is sooooo helpful, without you guys, I would have speced the frame in accordance with Kevin's drawings and had a weak tongue - not good.

BTW, I admitt to having been lurker for the last 3 - 4 months and have just started posting lately - this is about my 3rd posting, and have gotten a LOT of good info from everyone on what to do or not to do when I start on the Comet! Thanks to all you fellows (and gals) for being such a sharing group! I look forward to meeting ya'll in person when we get our Comet done and start going to some of the gatherings.

John

hey cmac, welcome to the site, I think the best thing a person can do is lurk awhile to get an idea of just where they want to go with their build, then when you do get started and start asking questions they will be more specific and that makes it easier for us to answer...once again welcome and don't forget the pics...we luvs da pics
madjack

Thanks Madjack.

In addition to the plans from Kuffel Creek for the Comet, I have about 4" of stuff I have printed out from the various threads that I thought I might need to refer back to later, especially the electrical stuff. Also, I have been spending a lot more time at HD and Lowes lately just looking around for goodies that might be useful later. I'm the type that likes to have a source for everything before I start a project and believe I finally have everything located except for the welder to do the frame and a piece of 5' x 10' plywood for the deck but have decided to laminate my own deck - cheaper and faster than trying to get that size shipped to Oklahoma. Have found 4' x 10' ply for the side locally though. The wife introduced me to these crazy little trailers and now I am totally consumed by making our own TearDrop - I haven't been this driven in a LONG time!

I haven't seen a thread about Comets yet, so maybe I should start one when we get going. BTW, do you have to have a digital camera to post pictures?

John