Straight or Drop Axle

[Jim Marshall]

I have been reading for a little while now on the board and have gotten some super tips on the way I want to build our little tear. I am in the process of finding all my parts and components now.

I will be pulling our little tear with a Toyota 4X4 so power is not a problem. My wife and I have a trouble getting in and out of our truck so we know we will have a problem getting in and out of the little tear. Do ya'll use a drop axle or a straight axle. I want to use an axle that I can have car tires on it. Any help will be appreciated.

I know I will have a ton of questions before all is said and done. I am a retired woodworker and my wife and I just fell in love with the little teardrop. This is going to be an exciting, fun project. Jimmy

One more question, how do you post pictures on the board here?

[Chris C]

Jimmy,

Welcome aboard. Glad to have another woodworker here. I make my living crafting custom furniture.

Axles.........................well, I'm not sure if anyone is using a dropped axle or not, but mostly what is discussed is torsion or spring. Of course, the torsion axles can be on a common axle or divided.

To post pictures, go up to the top of the page and click on "Help with photos".

Once again, welcome to the group.

[alaska teardrop]

Jimmy - Since entering a teardrop usually involves sitting down on the floor or bed first, determine the height that's comfortable. From there you can design the ride height of your trailer frame. Look up Dexter torsion bar axles (try the search at the top of this page - you'll be amazed). They offer six different ride height settings. Happy trails - Fred

[Chip]

Jim,, welcome to the forum ,,,I am going thru the axle delima right now on my second tear,, using different methods of mountng the axle,, above or below the springs, and looking at either a 4" drop or straight I come up with low dimentions of 13" to 17" below the bottom of the frame rail,,, these are approximate clearances,,, then add your frame and floor and you can come up with an estimated height above the ground,,, I want this trailer to ride as low as practical with spring axle so I am going with a 4" drop mounted on top of the spring,, hope this helps a little bit,,,

again welcome and good luck with the build,,,

chipper

[randy chesnutt]

welcome to the forum. i did like chipper is talking about. i put a 4" drop axles on mine with 14" tires pulls great and i like it setting low. i allso have 2000lbs springs. i thought it maybe to much ,but it worked out fine on mine.

[madjack]

Welcome aboard the board...these TD's are cut and you will find the process very addictive...as others have said, you sit down to enter a tear and the swing your feet up into it...it is not like climbing into a truck. A drop axle will put your tear closer to the ground. A Dexter torsion axle can be ordered set to do the same. A Flexiride torsion axle is adjustable, so that you could adjust the height after it is mounted to get the ride height that would be the best for you...so you see there are plenty of options...keep checking out the board and asking questions until you come up with what is best for you
madjack

p.s. the first thing about pics to know is that they need to be resized to 640x480(approx), then you can upload them to your personal album here on the board(it was created when you registered...goto albums to find it) after that you can embed them in your posts...click on"help with photos" button on the top of this page...if you need any further help or clarification with photos...just ask

[Chuck Craven]

Hi Jim!
If you are going to do off road “4x4ing” then having the axel at the center of the wheels to get the ground clearance.
For extreme off road the axel should be above the center of the wheels. If you are going down just normal roads then the lower drop axel will be fine. Just remember that it’s the back of a trailer and the tong that will drag on the ground when going over drive way ramps or big bumps. With a tear the axel is pushed to the back of the trailer because of the galley, so the back should not drag. When I build a trailer I try to get the tong straight with the hitch on the car/truck. Don’t like the drop hitch system because they always seem to drag on the ground when going over railroad tracks or rough roads.
Chuck

[asianflava]

Welcome to the board! When it comes time to order an axle (torsion axles anyway), there are some measurements that you need to find out beforehand, arm starting angle is only one. I didn't know how much spacing I needed between the body and the rim. I waited till I had tires mounted so I could get a measurement.

If the drop is the only thing you are iffy about, I'd suggest getting the flexiride axle that Madjack mentioned. If it is too tall, you can adjust it down a few splines.

[mikeschn]

Talking about important dimensions, here's a few that I think are important...

Adjust the dimensions to fit your body and fenders!

I'll have to make a drawing soon of something that makes sense to both us and the manufacturers...



Mike...

[Chip]

Well I finally made up my mind,,,, dang its tough when ya done have a full time female to guide ya thru tough decesions in life,,,, being un supervised does and doesnot have its advantages,,, but anyway,,, I went with the 4" drop axle and need to order springs,,, I am building a moderately light teardrop,, I am hoping to come in around or under 700 lbs finished, dry,,, I am gonna be running 14" car tires and now the biggie question,,,, I can get 1000lbs/pair or 1500lb/pair springs,, what to do what to do????????? the 1500 springs are three leaf and I can always take out a leaf or just order the 2 leaf 1000 lb ones,,, I want it to ride as smooth as I can and it will be for highway use only,, no rock crawling or off roading,, should I adjust ride with air in the tires on 1500 lbs or hope the 1000 are enough,, suggestions from the masses please,,,,

just for info,,, sans tires and wheels,, the frame, tongue, coupler, axle, springs, brackets, and safety chain come in at 172 lbs, give or take a pound or so
thanks for the assistance

chipper

[Jim Marshall]

Wow, thanks for the welcome fellers. I really really do appreciate your information, I already knew that ya'll are great folks by reading your replies to other people's posts. I will keep ya'll posted as I get into the building stage. Thanks again.
It is great to be here with all ya'll. Jimmy

[madjack]

Chipper I would definitely go with the 1500# springs...you can always adjust them if needed...with 1000#ers you are stuck with what ya got...you should always at a minimum have an extra 50% capacity to your spring rate...Ask Doug Hodder about his problems in this exact area area
madjack

[doug hodder]

Yup!!!! I flattened em'.....off the trailer they look fine....with weight....they're anchors now....Doug

[Chip]

Thanks guys,,, I was leaning towards the 1500 ones but didnt know if that would be a bit to stiff, some things are way under rated. Ok I am sold,, ordering a set today,,

chipper

[Chip]

Rolling frame complete,, Ill post pics as soon as I finish the roll,,, (old school photog) wheels are off a early 70's barracuda, trim rings and center hub cover came with them,, 3500# drop axle shortened to 59.5 inches, 1500 lb springs, complete frame rides at a comfortable 14" to top of frame from ground and complete rolling frame weighs in at a meer trim 248 lbs,,

I so excited,,,, Sawdust making is a whole lot more fun than hammering steel and grinding and making sparks,,, pics will follow in a few days or so

chipper