Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I realized last night that I didn't replace the metal middle cross-brace on the trailer with the douglas fur. Does this mean I have to take the trailer apart? I don't know what the reason is for these replacment peices? Anybody?

I knew that sooner or later that this would come up and all I have to say is that all this extra work is crap. We have 4 tears done, or in progress, all on HF trailers with no modifications what-so-ever and all are doing well. If the original trailer was designed for a given load in the unfolded position with just a simple plywood top why would you want to take the center crossmembers out and place them in the side rails as extra support and then add more weight by putting a wooden cross member in to replace them??????? Also the original trailer which has a given gross weight will be made stronger by the addition of the tear body and it's sidewalls. No matter what extra is done it will always be rated at a given gross which you are reducing by the addition of uneeded materials!!!!

No further comment

Hey, Ol' Timer--I think this means that he's MISSING the center support. That he used that piece of steel to reinforce the side rails.

So I think this IS a big deal, if I'm interpreting it correctly.

I think Kevin suggested cutting a couple of inches from the rear side pieces to allow for the curvature on the front of the Teardrop and still keep it at 8'.

And the HF trailer had the ability to fold by pulling a pin? Kevin used the two extra cross rails on the sides to tie the two together. He replaced the pin with a bolt. The extra fir cross piece was to replace one of the metal ones used in the splice.

Probably not necessary if the extra two inches (or so) on the Cubby does not create a problem for using 4x8 sheets of plywood, nor if one is not concerned about the two separate sections for the fold up trailer.

We cut off the stands and then build the trailer upside down on a bench. They are all constructed according to HF instructions and the side bolts that lock the two halves into position are put in place (not pins???) Also there are bolt holes between the 3rd and 4th crossmembers that allow them to be bolted together. At this point you have a very rugged frame requiring no further modifications. The deck you place on it as well as the sidewalls are more than sufficient to help reinforce the unit. If the trailer as designed and as sold is sufficent to be able to handle the gross load why would you think that adding anything extra will improve upon it???????

mukluker1 wrote:I realized last night that I didn't replace the metal middle cross-brace on the trailer with the douglas fur. Does this mean I have to take the trailer apart? I don't know what the reason is for these replacment peices? Anybody?

Mukluker,
I noticed from your pics that you put your Redtrailer together as a folding trailer. I was gonna PM you about that as I have the same frame. I did the wooden cross member thing and put the extra rails in the sides but I think Ol Timer makes a lot af sence about leaving it like it is. Besides, cutting and drilling metal sucks.
You may want to move your axle back if you havnt already. I put mine around 36". I guess it depends on how you are distributing the load.

He's already done with everything, and I think he's missing that critical center support. That's what he's trying to fix.

And although I'm no engineer, I think this IS a problem, although probably easily fixable.

Is anyone suggesting you don't NEED a center cross rail here?

Ira wrote:He's already done with everything, and I think he's missing that critical center support. That's what he's trying to fix.

And although I'm no engineer, I think this IS a problem, although probably easily fixable.

Is anyone suggesting you don't NEED a center cross rail here?

From what I could tell in the pic he posted earlier, it looks like he has 2 centerrails back to back just like the instructions call for. I could be seeing it wrong though.

You saw a pic???

Hey guys, sorry to keep you wondering, it has been a crazy day at the office. I do have the center cross peices that came with the trailer installed back to back. I was just wondering if there was any reason to change from the metal to wood? And since it is all done already
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and here is the link to my pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/70598991@N00/

My bad...

You're FINE.

I thought you stuck those cross membes in the side rails and didn't HAVE any center support.

The only reason you would use wood in the center is if you DIDN'T have steel there, because you used that steel for the side rails.

Go tow in safety and confidence. Go tow like the WIND!!!

Thanks for the help! I will keep you all posted!