New To Forum/Trailer Height Question

[onegunshort]

Hi, decided to build myself a teardrop camper a couple weeks ago, and then I found this forum. This place is great, everyone is very nice and willing to share information to help each other out.

My question is this, I have a trailer I can use that is 13' long with a 10' x 4.5' wooden ladder frame on it. The only thing is the top of the frame is 28" off the ground, and the hitch height is 22". Are there any possible problems with having it this high? I'll be pulling it with a 91 mazda b2600 4x4 (1/4 ton 4 cyl.) and the receiver height is about 19". Also I am 6' tall.

Should I go ahead with it or find a way to drop it down. the springs it has are 25.5" 3 leaf and cannot be mounted under the axle. It has 15" wheels, the axle is a straight tube 3".


Any info appreciated

[oklahomajewel]

Welcome to the greatest group in the web world -- teardroppers ROCK!!!

I can't help you about the trailer questions, but I am building a 5x8 and trying to stay light weight cuz I'll be towing with my 2001 4 cyl Honda Accord.

Good luck !!!

Julie

[Sonetpro]

Welcome onegunshort to the forum. Size sounds about right. Height sounds kinda high. It just depends on what you want to do. I am also 6' tall mine is 19" and the hitch is the same. I like the extra height though cause I'm pulling it with a Jeep. PaulC built a nice offroad tear to use in the outback. I don't know how tall it is but I know he has BIG tires on it.
As you will soon learn though everybody will want to see pic's to make a recommondation. Pic's are the currency here.

[dwgriff1]

Mine has 11" clearance, but I might increase it to 12.

I want to keep the height the same as the coupe I am pulling it with (and the same width as well).

Because Andrews said to, that's why.

cave

[Juneaudave]

Let's see the pics of the frame!! Maybe the axle can be changed to lower it a bit.

[PaulC]

There ain't nuthing in the world that can't be fixed with a 9" angle grinder!! Or, alternatively, you could use Madjacks methodology--something about dynamite

Welcome to the craziest bunch of hobbyists in the world. My TD has a ground clearance of 22" and I tow it with a Toyota Dual Cab 4WD. I have 31"Dia. tyres fitted. We use it for very remote bush camping.
A mate of mine in the States had a B2600 and I would think that your trailer is a little high for that. But you could modify the hitch and fit low profile tyres to achieve a more comfortable ride height . Just my thoughts.
Cheers
Paul

[onegunshort]

I'll try to get pics up, my camera needs batteries and I can't seem to remember to buy them. After thinking about it for a while I can probably drop it 8", I think I found a way to put the springs under the axle. Thanks everyone for the input.

[madjack]

...unless building specifically for off roading that is way high and a way to lower is needed...ours has about a foot of clearance using a torsion axle set at 0* and using 205-70-15 tires...as PaulC alluded, hi-explosives can solve a myriad of problems...just be sure to take pics as we would wanna see that "mod" and just cause we luv 'em (pics that is)...oh by the way, welcome to the board and stay outta any gunfights if you are truly onegunshort
madjack

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I am building a 5x8 and trying to stay light weight cuz I'll be towing with my 2001 4 cyl Honda Accord.

Julie, How heavy is the estimated weight of your tear?
I'm asking because mine is about 1100# and I tow with an Escape 4 cyl ( 5 speed) and have no trouble on the road.
Now, I haven't had to go up any major hills, but on the normal roads it seems to be adequate power.
Just curious.

[Miriam C.]

Welcome Onegunshort.
Any good reason ya can't go with smaller wheels and some fancy low profilers.

Seems the best size is not to get too high for your rear. That said, I'm keeping mine short.

If budget is an issue the salvage yard sells wheels fairly reasonable.

Enjoy
Miriam

[onegunshort]

I wanted to keep the 15" wheels because I have a couple '56 Olds hubcaps that would look really cool on this trailer.

[Miriam C.]

Sounds like you are going to fit in real well here.
That, believe it or not was real close to what I expected. Expected
wire wheels or favorite wheels, something in that order.

Enjoy
Miriam

[Katie&Craig]

Onegunshort,
You might want to think about what you want in a galley before settling on the trailer height. If your counter top will be at a typical height for homes (~ 36") then you won't have much under the counter space with the frame that high. A lot of our decisions about height, length and profile were dictated by what I wanted out of the galley.

Of course there are a lot of creative ways to work a galley regardless of the teardrop height (see the sticky "Galley Gallery").

Good luck with planning!
Katie

[mikeschn]

Welcome to the forum.

Like Paul says... an angle grinder can be your friend at this stage of the game!

have fun!

Mike...

[onegunshort]

OK, The trailer is now as low as it can be with the current axle/tire size. I put the springs underneath the axle. The top of the deck is now 23", the hitch is now 18"(same as my truck). I know it's still higher than most, but I think it will be doable. the axle has 12" of clearance, and about 9" under the springs. Any thoughts? Pics to follow soon and some insight into the most daring part of my wacky scheme. Hopfully y'all don't run me out of town on a rail for this. Stay Tuned..................