3x5 trailer frame?

[Micro469]

I'm having trouble finding a cheep trailer or someone to build me one up here in toront. All the trailers I've seen have got sides and tailgates which have to be ground off to build a teardrop. Also, prices seem to start around $700.00. I have a small utility trailer that is a 3x5 with 8" wheels that I enlarged the box to 4x5. It's not really a stretch to make this a 4x8 if I position the tear in the middle of the frame and lengthen the toungue, or even a 5x8. the wheels now are under the box, and by changing the shackles on the springs I could even put 12" tires on it. The trailer is rated for 1000 lb so If I'm carefull, I don't need to change the axle. Any thoughts????

[Joanne]

I'm having trouble finding a cheep trailer or someone to build me one up here in toront. All the trailers I've seen have got sides and tailgates which have to be ground off to build a teardrop. Also, prices seem to start around $700.00. I have a small utility trailer that is a 3x5 with 8" wheels that I enlarged the box to 4x5. It's not really a stretch to make this a 4x8 if I position the tear in the middle of the frame and lengthen the toungue, or even a 5x8. the wheels now are under the box, and by changing the shackles on the springs I could even put 12" tires on it. The trailer is rated for 1000 lb so If I'm carefull, I don't need to change the axle. Any thoughts????

Hi Micro,

We are an overbuilding lot. We tend to like big and heavy trailers to build on. Not that we actually need them! I think if you are careful in your build, you shouldn't have a problem with your 1000lb trailer. Remember that you will load the trailer with all your camping "stuff" so you have to build UNDER the 1000k limit.

If you have read this forum very long, you are probably aware that a lot teardrops have been built on Harbor Freight trailers. If don't want the hassle of reworking your trailer, you could try to locate a kit trailer like the Harbor Freight. It would be cheaper than having one built or some of the "ready made" trailers.

Welcome to the forum!

Joanne

[Micro469]

I guess I could beef up the springs and put 12" tires on it, that would give me more than a 1000lb load capacity.

[madjack]

...5'wide might be a bit tippy, I would definitely go with the 12" wheels (I am a tall tire proponent ), the length...you need to keep in mind axle placement for weight balance and may need to extend the tongue...you don't want to end up with too much weight hanging over the rear...tongue weight should be 10/15% of overall weight...you should have a spring rate that is approximately 50% over the weight of unit...so with a 1000# spring rate you should keep overall weight under 700#'s(doable)...all that being said, I would find a 4x8 trailer...I dunno, do they not have Harbor Freight or some such in Canada...do you ever get down to the States...if so it might be worth your time to hunt up a HF store...just my couple of cents worth
madjack

[Micro469]

You guys are dissen a 3x5 frame, but when I look at the 1\2 Nelson build pics, it shore don't look like a full 4x8 frame. I couldn't find his first few build pics so I don't know what sise frame he used.... a 4x6 maybe? Can anyone clarify this for me? ( I probably will go to a full size frame , because when I checked out my trailer I noticed the front crossbar was bent.... can't have that!!!

[madjack]

...I have no problem with the length...you should be able to put a 7x8 ft box on that with no problem depending on your build technique...I would worry about putting 5' on a 3' wide frame causing a "tippy" feeling...no "dissen" involved here...you asked for opinion...if you don't like it, don't get upset, we are just voicing possible problems...why don't you build it and let us know how it worked out for you...
madjack

[Micro469]

Madjack.. What do you mean by a "tippy feeling". Do you mean when camping, or when towing?

[madjack]

Madjack.. What do you mean by a "tippy feeling". Do you mean when camping, or when towing?

...when towing...it would all depend on your weight distribution/placement...keeping all heavy items low and centered would help alot...
...hadn't really thought about camping but it might also be a problem there ...stabilizer legs would help/fix that problem
madjack

[mikeschn]

Tippy means a broadside wind or a sharp turn in the road.With a frame designed for 3 feet wide goes to 5 feet wide and then taller to boot,your center of gravity is much higher.A sharp corner could tip the project over.

Quite true... most 5' wide trailers I've see have the wheels outside the body, giving them stability on the road.

Micro, if you are going to build that 5' wide with the wheels under the trailer, I would also consider adding shocks. I've seen my 4' wide trailer bounce around like a rabbit, and it sure wouldn't have taken much more to flip that over...



In your situation I would probably consider a 5x8 red trailer...

http://www.redtrailers.com/TrailersFolding.asp
Mike...