Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

hey all,
mylower post about galleys worker out so good that it looks like theres gonna be several hundred photos to look at so how about we do it again with you frames.it would be interesting to know what size they are and what they are made of .such as 1x1 tubing or 2x2 angle.we may all get new ideas huh?

OK, you asked for it...here's some pictures of my frame, built with 2" X 2" X 1/4" angle and a tortion axle.


This is how I doubled the angle iron and made attachment points for the axle. There are actually three different locations the axle can be attached so the tongue weight could be adjusted prior to installing the fenders.


The frame is 5' wide and 8' long, but the "body" of the trailer is 9' long providing an area in the front and the back for sort of a rolled pan effect.


The body is 5' wide and only the aluminum skin extends down over the sides of the frame to hide it from view. That allowed to full height be maintained inside the body because I'm not a little guy.

Hi Critter, The Alaska Teardrop incorporates a semi-monocoque frame. Semi-monococue because the aluminum body panels add strength to the welded steel space frame. Like Steve, the body panels enclose the frame. And, simular to Steve, I use a 2" angle along the inside of the outer frame tube. Not only to precisely balance the trailer after it is built, but also to add strength to the area of the axle mount. For materials and details see www.alaskateardrop.com Fred

Here is a pic of my frame built out of 2x2 tubing It took 2- 20 foot peices.. The final dimentions are 47"w x 96" long with a 4' tongue



Greg

Here's a comparison shot of my old and new frames. I don't have any dimensions for them other than they are for a 4x8 trailer.

Okay, here's my basic frame: The side tubes are 2 x 2 x 14 gauge. All cross-members are 2 x 2 x 1/8" angle. The tongue is 2 x 3 x 14 gauge. The tabs on the back rail are for mounting my Bal-jacks. And the A-frame is also 2 x 2 x 1/8" angle. The frame measures 62 1/2 x 93. The tongue is presently 51 inches long, but if you'll notice, I've not yet welded the hitch in place, so that length isn't yet decided.

Here you go, all of it is 2X2X1/8 square tubing. The corners are mitered and the tongue is open on both ends. All of it painted with Rust Bullet. In this pic, the chains and wiring is not yet installed.

Here is mine. It's 2X2 tube with 2X3 tongue. I had the builder weld in the drop floor. I'm using the 2000 lb Dexter axle with 14 inch wheels and tires. It is 58 inches wide by 7 feet long. My body will extend past the rear 1 foot making it 8 feet long.





Scott F.

When building a trailer..... Where do you guys get the steel? Welding shops or steel yards..?

arnereil wrote:When building a trailer..... Where do you guys get the steel? Welding shops or steel yards..?

Arnereil,
They trailer shop I went to provided the steel. Before deciding on that course I went to a couple metal "stores" that sold steel and such and priced the material. Since I don't weld having the frame built was cheaper and easier.

Scott F.

When building a trailer..... Where do you guys get the steel?

Arne,

I went to a steel supply yard. Don't know about where you live, but there are several here. I called around and went to the one with the best price.

Heavily overbuilt, but most of the weight is in the axle/tires.
Measures 46" x 78"

No pics yet but heres what I'm usein' ..... 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 rec. tubing that was free!!! Bought axle $50, wheels $ 30, tires $85, jack $20, lights $18, springs,u-bolts,mountin'kit and fenders $25. The guy wasn't gonna use em' Need a coupler $20. Gonna have around $300 or so. Measurements are 5'x 10' that way if decide to scrap the weekender I'll have a nice utilty trailer. LOL!!!

critter wrote:hey all,
mylower post about galleys worker out so good that it looks like theres gonna be several hundred photos to look at so how about we do it again with you frames.it would be interesting to know what size they are and what they are made of .such as 1x1 tubing or 2x2 angle.we may all get new ideas huh?

I started with an old boat trailer made from 3 inch channel. It's heavier than I would have built if I was using new materials but the price was right. In retrospect rebuilding the frame was more work than it would have been to start from scratch. I had to cut the trailer apart, clean all the old paint off, cut the new pieces to length and reweld them. What I saved in dollars I spent in effort.

In looking at the completed frame it's not as overbuilt as I thought it was.

BEFORE


AFTER


Joanne

Lets talk over built.

The main frame is 3/16 2x2, the tongue is 3/16 2x3, the wings and cross braces are 14 awg 2x2, 3500# axle.