good start?

[TD4FREEW/CTD]

howdy folks,

after watching an RV show on the travel channel i decided i want a TD. i came across this site because when i searched for TD's on Ebay most of what i found was a bunch of jerks trying to sell plans. i thought to myself, the plans have got to be simple, surely there is someone posting them for free somewhere! im not so sure i really even need plans, just a shove into the right direction.

anywho, my question is this:

i dont really have the means at this time to build my own chassis. i would like to purchase a trailer in the neighborhood of 5'x10' and go from there.

would something like this be a good start for a relatively simple TD trailer?
http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-NEW-5-X-10-UTI ... dZViewItem

all input is appreciated!

[madjack]

TD4Free...welcome to the board...the trailer you linked to would work just fine However if you have a Tractor Supply Store near you they have a much better option in a no floor trailer...some minor mods and it is ready to go...a 4x8 goes for around 250 and a 5x? goes for another 200. The Generic Benroy plan up above are an excelllent starting point for your build...however don't discount buying something like Steve Fredericks excellent build CD or plans from someone legitimate like Kuffel Creek....the information contained in them about tips/techniques and sources of supply make them invaluable as many here can attest to...please take the time to slow down and do some serious reading here...we can and will help you out to the utmost but we charge...that's right and the price is pictures...lots and lots of pictures cause we just luv da pics
madjack

[TD4FREEW/CTD]

pics will not be a problem if get a project rolling. i am not completely against people making money selling plans and instructions, this is america. make your money by any legal means necessary. im just a cheapo!

a tractor supply store may be tough to come by, as i live in california, but i think there might be one not too far away.

thanks for the input!


Karsten.

Edit*** what program do i need to open the generic benroys plan file?

[Kevin A]

pics will not be a problem if get a project rolling. i am not completely against people making money selling plans and instructions, this is america. make your money by any legal means necessary. im just a cheapo!

a tractor supply store may be tough to come by, as i live in california, but i think there might be one not too far away.

thanks for the input!


Karsten.

Edit*** what program do i need to open the generic benroys plan file?

Adobe Acrobat opens the generic benroy file

[madjack]

TD...a couple of other options for a frame are Harbor Freight...they sell several 4x8 models and are the basis for many trailers here...also check around amongst frinds and co-workers to see if one of them has welding skills...buy the steel, cut it, jig it and have them come over and weld it up for supper and some brews...the same can be done with a weldor for hire...get the job ready and he can weld it up inna hour or two
madjack

[TD4FREEW/CTD]

TD...a couple of other options for a frame are Harbor Freight...they sell several 4x8 models and are the basis for many trailers here...also check around amongst frinds and co-workers to see if one of them has welding skills...buy the steel, cut it, jig it and have them come over and weld it up for supper and some brews...the same can be done with a weldor for hire...get the job ready and he can weld it up inna hour or two
madjack

i do have a freind who may be taking over the machine shop that his father has run for the past 40 years or so. personally i think i would rather just spend a lil more and start with a 5 x 10 frame as opposed to chopping up a HF unit. if it came to that i would probably opt for building a custom trailer from scratch. we will see what happend with the machine shop. if he does take it over i may be working there. if that happens, its on.

again, thanks for the input guys, keep it coming!

Karsten.

[Gage]

<snip>
a tractor supply store may be tough to come by, as i live in california, but i think there might be one not too far away.
<snip>
Karsten.

Karsten, Where abouts do you live in California?

Have a good day.

[TD4FREEW/CTD]

<snip>
a tractor supply store may be tough to come by, as i live in california, but i think there might be one not too far away.
<snip>
Karsten.

Karsten, Where abouts do you live in California?

Have a good day.

yeah, i realized after i made the post that living in california is no excuse for not having a tractor supply store near by. its living in SOUTHERN california that makes it hard to find!

im in Huntington Beach.

what about you?

Karsten.

[oklahomajewel]

Welcome!!! You've found the gold mine of helpful Teardrop builders/owners!!! I got hooked from the RV Crazy show too, and went the same route as you to find this board.
I got the Kuffel Creek plans, very very helpful but after a few months with everyone else's help here, I have set half of those 108 pgs aside and will copy what some others have done.

I'm sure there are some experienced tear builders close to you... Gage, Denny Unfried, ..... guys? oh, and even some women out there too!!!

I have not even started mine yet!!! I have a gracious soul from this board who is 4 hrs away but welding together a 5x8 for me !!! and will be meeting me about half way to deliver it in a week or so!!!

I have to say , I'm kinda glad I didn't just jump in and do a 4x8 and slap it together... I know I'll be much happier with my 5x8 and knowing some tricks of the trade from everyone's posts and photo gallerys and maybe one day I'll be honored and appear in the Hall of Fame.

So take your time and start a notebook and bookmarking favorites on your computer...... there's a lot to learn !!

Good luck !!!

[mikeschn]

maybe one day I'll be honored and appear in the Hall of Fame.

Well I'd be pretty disappointed if you didn't make it into the hall of fame... BTW, one of the requirements to make it into the hall of fame is that you post your pictures on the web, either your personal gallery here, or a photo album of your choice, like yahoo, flicker, etc...

And you thought Madjack was just kidding when he said, "we wanna see da pics"!

Mike...

[Gage]

<snip>
im in Huntington Beach.

what about you?

Karsten.

I'm in Palmdale, get down to Huntington two or three times a month. Denny is in Lawndale. I'll do some checking around for ya. I'll also check to see where Larry S. (Outback Teardrop) had his frame made, most likely in Riverside.

Have a good day.