5X10 design

[sjacobso76]

Mark:

Holy crap!!! I think we're the same person! My TV is a '98 Jeep Cherokee Sport, in the exact same color as yours. My plans so far have been modifying a Benroy to turn it into a 5X10. That's just downright creepy! I see you're in the Northwest (looks like you're plates are Washington); whereabouts are you? I'd love to see your tear sometime!

[RogHodge]

Sam-
Regarding the lights- It seems that the “get the frame home” lights are going to be completely reworked as you do the build aren’t they? Unless you have a design that uses them in the “get the frame home” location, which I haven’t seen around here. Also as you build you are going to be constantly dodging the wires while trying you work.
My thought is get some el cheapo’ magnetic lights from HF like http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=96933
I bought some for around $15 on sale to get a lightless trailer home- then sold them on the same trailer when I decided not to use it- different story but the lights were sufficient to drag it across town with less worry- you can pillage the magnetic set-up for wire and plug later when you are ready to get permanent.
Electrical is rather simple, you are a smart guy- with a little research you will be able to wire it as you want and not pay for lights that you are going to rearrange anyway
My too scents

[sjacobso76]

I'm not actually that worried about the travel aspect of getting the trailer home (I live in a very remote part of Oregon and the trailer place is only about a half hour away on rural highways). Mostly I'm worried about the extra time, and getting the tail lights attached. I don't weld, so it made more sense to me to just have the trailer builder do it for me. Am I wrong in that thinking? I am pretty open to ideas. Do most lights bolt on? I just know very little about such things.

[Mini Renegade]

could you not just mount a set of lights on a trailer light board to take with you then just strap it on the frame to drag it home?
http://www.towsure.com/product/1094-4ft ... ting_Board

[RogHodge]

Sam-
I get that taking it home is not going to be a big deal- actually if you can see the tow vehicle’s brake lights safety becomes less of an issue-
However- the lights are generally incorporated into the body of the tear at some point- you will almost certainly and completely dismantle whatever the trailer guy does for you anyway. I re-wired my utility trailer this morning- took less than 2 hours and I work exceedingly slow. And it is SUPER EASY! And simple brake light kits do bolt on.
I would hate for you to pay extra for a feature that you will not keep as is- put the extra dough into a powder coat job.
You can do this- this forum has more information than any one individual will ever use-
Again this is just my thought; perhaps I’m just a cheapskate.

[bfitz]

I spec'd out a 5x10 with 2500 lb torsion axle, cross members every 2 ft, no lights, deck, sides, or wheels for $350. I'd be prefer to drop some of the cross members, so I too am hoping for advice on the question of omitting cross members within the trailer. Anyone?

With respect to lights: I figure that travelling during the day with lots of red flags and a receipt, the police will let transport from builder to home slide. A friendly officer confirmed (off the record) that this is likely true. I guess it's a judgement call for them. Of course, Harbor frieght has magnetic lights on sale for $15.

-Brian

[Carter]

Brian,
That's inexpensive even without labor. I haven't priced a torsion axle.

The rendering below shows tube tongue, 1 tube crossmember that may not be necessary with a torsion axle, 2x2 angle with the flange up and 2x2 deck frame dropped inside with 1/2 inch ply on top. Thinking about building one like this. I'd probably add a 2x2 angle with the flange down under the wall between the cabin and galley. Should be plenty strong with the body bolted to the angle. You would get an extra 2" of headroom and still have the frame covered. Just a thought.

Jim

[oldtamiyaphile]

'd be prefer to drop some of the cross members, so I too am hoping for advice on the question of omitting cross members within the trailer. Anyone?

-Brian

Hi Brian,

If you look at European on road caravans, most of them don't have ANY cross members, save for the torsion axle. It's clearly possible to remove cross members, but you will have to take this into account when building your box. If specing and torsion axle, which is a substantial cross member, I would use lighter members near the axle, or move them further away.

Bert (looking for someone with structural analysis software)

[jackdaw]

Both my builds have been based on euro' caravan chassis. They have no cross members, and the side sections are tapered C section



Dave

[Carter]

Dave,
That chassis is pure simple elegance. We wouldn't see the likes of it on this side of the pond. Gotta build beefy, manly, heap strong American style

Jim

[greekspeedoman]

Mark:

Holy crap!!! I think we're the same person! My TV is a '98 Jeep Cherokee Sport, in the exact same color as yours. My plans so far have been modifying a Benroy to turn it into a 5X10. That's just downright creepy! I see you're in the Northwest (looks like you're plates are Washington); whereabouts are you? I'd love to see your tear sometime!

To my clone (he he),

PM me & I'd be happy to give you a tour in the great NW.

That's hilarious that you're thinking of doing the same thing & you have the same TV.

Cheers,

Mark

[MoparCzy]

Remember that you are required to have working brake/turn on a trailer whenever you are towing it. I have nearly rearended several people who were just towing it a few blocks and could not be bothered to hook up their lights.

I'm not actually that worried about the travel aspect of getting the trailer home (I live in a very remote part of Oregon and the trailer place is only about a half hour away on rural highways). Mostly I'm worried about the extra time, and getting the tail lights attached. I don't weld, so it made more sense to me to just have the trailer builder do it for me. Am I wrong in that thinking? I am pretty open to ideas. Do most lights bolt on? I just know very little about such things.