Thinking about brackets

[italianub]

Hey folks,

I used 6 welded on tabs to bolt down my trailer frame to the box, but I am worried it's just not enough to keep the thing mounted on the frame. Has anyone used some straight brackets, drilled into the front of the camper (through a spar) and drilled into the frame to add some extra protection?

It would look something like this


and 2 holes in the 2x3 frame and another 2 into floor/spar. Overkill?

[TimC]

Some questions that might help find an answer...

How heavy is the camper cabin? Is is well balanced (low center of gravity)?
Are you planning on mostly paved roads and some gravel, or, are you rock climbing with this trailer?
What size bolts hold the six current anchors?
And what are those bolts anchoring to on the camper? Solid wood or plywood?

My teardrops have six to eight anchor points. They are welded on the chassis and anchored into solid framing on the camper cabin. I think that is very sufficient to hold my camper that travels some pot holy roads and occasional two track logging roads. Maybe if you can answer those questions above it'll give folks here some advice to offer. There is no harm in adding a few extra if it makes you more comfortable.

[italianub]

How heavy is the camper cabin? Is is well balanced (low center of gravity)?
Are you planning on mostly paved roads and some gravel, or, are you rock climbing with this trailer?
What size bolts hold the six current anchors?
And what are those bolts anchoring to on the camper? Solid wood or plywood?

Hey Tim, thanks for the reply!

I can't say how heavy the camper is, but it's a 5x10 with sandwich walls (Tony Latham's method), it's not finished quiet yet.
Mostly paved with some gravel, yes.
Bolted down with 3/8" carriage bolts
The bolts are recessed into the sandwich floor, which is 1/4" plywood (top) with 3/4" 1x6 soft wood and a 1/2" plywood floor (bottom) on four anchor points, and a 1/4" plywood, 3/4" plywood 1/2" plywood for the rear two bolts. The recessed bolts are recessed deeper than the 1/4" ply on top, so you can negate that.

[TimC]

It sounds like it is plenty beefy. I don't think you need more but as I said, if it makes you feel better add a couple.

[KCStudly]

I'd be more worried about water getting in wherever you drill through the front wall, than I would be just doing it Tony's way. He has built several, takes them on some very rustic roads, and, yes, he wrote the book. I don't think you need to worry if you did it how he did.

[italianub]

I'd be more worried about water getting in wherever you drill through the front wall, than I would be just doing it Tony's way. He has built several, takes them on some very rustic roads, and, yes, he wrote the book. I don't think you need to worry if you did it how he did.

My only concern is that I went deeper into my floor to attach the bolts flush/below the floor line than he did... I wasn't thinking

[tony.latham]

Bolted down with 3/8" carriage bolts...

That's all that's needed. Those bolts have a shear strength of 830 pounds apiece.

Tony