5 footers: Help me out

[H-Balm]

Ok. so I have been reading for a while, but don't exactly find the answer so......


Many hold the opinion that a 5' wide is a pleasant upgrade from the standard 4' width.

Can someone give me an idea of how most 5'ers are built?
(I imagine they convert them from a 4' trailer)
Is it easier to build a wooden platform over the edges, making wheel wells?
Or do people extend the axle somehow?

Thanks.

[Sonetpro]

My trailer is 4' heres what I did. got a wider axle and welded new perchs on it I built 6" over on each side.

[mikeschn]

The Generic Benroy is a 5 footer. It is built on a 5x8 Red Trailer. Check the plans up there in the menu...

The Lil Diner is also a 5 footer. It is built on a custom welded 5x8 trailer.

You can see the Lil Diner stuff here...
http://www.mikenchell.com/Lil_Diner_Photos/

Judging by your question, you are thinking about the 4x8 harbor freight trailer, and hoping to put a 5 footer on that.

The easiest way is to build out over the wheels. We have several people here who did just that.

DeeBee http://www.nfdc.net/home/cbdb/Micro%20Camper.htm
Twisted http://www.flickr.com/photos/twisted76017/sets/138594/
Gerald http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/studioace ... /my_photos
George http://home.earthlink.net/~g.teague/
Duane http://tnttt.com/album_ ... er_id=1070


The other way is to modify the frame and axle, similar to what Arne did...

here is arne's build album...
http://www.freewebs.com/arnereil/

There's more, but that'll get you started...

Mike...

[madjack]

..you can buy a 5' trailer, you can build a 5' trailer, you can build out over a 4' trailer, you can widen a 4' trailer, you can...........the answer to your question is a resounding yes...they will all work
madjack

[Steve_Cox]

60" X 114" frame, Flexiride axle.

[Chris C]

I'm with Steve. Build your own frame to meet your specific needs. I could have bought a frame for a whole lot less than the one I built, but I would have then had to modify it to meet my needs...........so what's your time worth?

[larryl]

We went 5X8 because of having a built in AC in the back of the galley was going to make the galley area too small.

We just bought a 5 X 8 foot Tractor Supply trailer. It can be special ordered as a 5X8 no floor. Paid $457.00.

I went that way because it was real easy to get tagged in my state.

Glad we made it 5' wide. Would do the same thing if I was building another TD.

Larryl.

[H-Balm]

Thanks all, I'm busy tinkin' it over.

My time is not at all an issue, my lack of welding supplies and knowledge are.
I am not a metal worker so I hesitate at much augmentaion.

I am thinking the easiest would be to get a 5' or do a build over.

BTW... from my research it seems the people with 5'ers swear by em. Is this true? Any downsides?

[oklahomajewel]

I'm in the middle of my build, had a person weld a 5x8 trailer for me.
1/2" floor and trying to build light. It's just me, teens don't wanna go camping really but I'm SO glad I went ahead with that extra foot.
Gives a little more room in the galley, and like in all teardrops - every inch of space is precious!

You won't regret it!

Julie

[WarPony]

H-Balm, one thing that was brought up at the last gathering I went to was by exminnesotaboy......... where do you find 4' wide sheets??? A twin sized bed is not quite 3 1/2' wide and a full sized mattress is about 54". When I built mine, I measured the mattress I sleep on at home and built the whole trailer around that mattress. The outside measurement is 57" but I consider it a 5' wide trailer.

My next one is going to be 6 wide. I'm not a large man by any stretch of the imagination (5'2", 130 lbs.) but will make the bed lay crossways instead of lengthwise.

[JLaman]

H-Balm,

Make it 5 feet! Especially if you are camping with a partner. Remeber, inside is where you change clothes, etc. Even when my wife and I are camping I can't imagine getting along very well with 12 inches less. The added cost was all in the chassis. The rest cost the same really. And, as has been pointed out, the added space in the galley is very useful too. If I were to do it over again I would do the same thing. I ordered a redtrailer that worked great. Construction is identical for either a 4ft or 5ft. The only catch is to find a supplier of 5ft plywood. There is an idustrial plywood supplier in central PA that has anything you want, so I got it all there. Every piece of plywood needed, in birch, delivered, was $300.

Jeff L.

[GPW]

Mine is 72 3/8" Wide on the INSIDE.... x 12' Long .... built on a boat trailer ...I can sleep sideways(almost ...6'3") .... Family size .... all done with 4'x8' ply ...

[Mightydog]

Another vote for 5-foot width.

We are building on a 5-wide and 7-long chassis.

A queen-sized bed fits just fine inside (59-1/8 inches on the deck). That extra foot has not been a big deal to build around.

Yeah, I'll post pictures someday...

[Chuck Craven]

My frame is 58” by 120”. The plan is for a 4’10” X 5’ X 10’ with a 3’ tongue, Benroy.
I’m making my own frame, as the tear will be going off road. So I way over engineered it.
The 5’ wide tear seems to be a good compromise wide enough to sleep in and narrow enough to see what’s behind you when towing.

Chuck

[TomS]

I built my 5-footer on a Red Trailer frame. I don't regret the decision to go with the extra width for a moment. It was well worth the extra effort and expense.