Trailer question

[eaglesdare]

This is my first newbie question, so please, please bear with me.

I am looking at building a 6 foot wide, 10 foot lenght inside the teardrop. My first question is, what size trailer will i be looking at?

I have tried to read everything here, but I don't think I have found how to figure out the size trailer for what size tear.

Thanks so much for putting up with me. As soon as I figure out the size trailer, I am pretty sure I am going to jump right into this and order it or pick it up.

Are the HF trailer the better brand? Or is this a matter of preference?

[mikeschn]

At first blush I would say you need a 6x10 trailer. But then that would mean you have your wheels outside the chassis, and that's getting kinda wide.

So maybe you should back it off and get a 5x10 trailer, and build out over the wheels. That would make your trailer about 78" wide, just like the Generic ET.

Check out the photos here, and see if that's what you had in mind...

http://www.mikenchell.com/Generic_ET_Photo_Album/

Mike...

[eaglesdare]

Thanks for your help. And I have viewed that link so many times, I even had my hubby check it out. It really nice.

But, in there I see you cut out for your tires. So are you suggesting that I build it up off the frame so that the floor will go over the tires? Like the way that Puffin was build at first?

The tires in this link looks bigger than the 8's that Puffin used.

Please forgive my ignorance, as I am just an old lady. But an old determined one that wants to do this.

Also I don't know if that is a brand name trailer you are referring to or a specific one. Are these available like at Lowes or do I order them?

[G-force]

I would try and keep the total width under 80 inches...I assume your in the USA and the lighting requirements get alot more complicated for trailers wider than 80 inches.

[madjack]

I would try and keep the total width under 80 inches...I assume your in the USA and the lighting requirements get alot more complicated for trailers wider than 80 inches.

...the over 80" rules are not that big a deal...a 3light bar in the rear(red) and front(amber) along with a red/amber combination light on the edge of the fenders are all that is required extra over an under 80"er...keep in mind that over 96's(upto 102"s) are only allowed on designated hiways(ALMOST all federal hiways are designated)

...keep in mind that a 6'wide, whether or not it is built in or over the wheels will put the unit outside the vehicles wind shadow and significantly affect the drag and subsequently the fuel mileage

Building a 6' unit on a 5' trailer puts the wheel under the unit...if using 12" or larger wheels, this will PROBABLY mean cutting a wheel well into the body of the unit...your bed can be placed above this wheel well...this will save you from putting the extra lighting in place...building on a 6'wide trailer, with the wheels outside the body will put you over the 80" rule for lighting...you will probably have to have a custom trailer built if you want a 6' trailer...a 5'trailer can be had from many sources, such as Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply, RedTrailers and others.....

madjack

[Arne]

I've built two teardrops... first, try to look at some in real life. Second, in my mind, it is better to keep the height and width no bigger than that of the tow vehicle. Its not just wind resistance, it is also rearward visibility.

It's easy to get carried away when planning, but reality hits you at the gas pump if you build too heavy and too big.

I don't know if you have special needs or not, but I build as small as I can, not as big as I want.

Post ideas as you have them and gets some comments about it.... it helps to state why you are doing a certain design. There is also the possibility of a slide out or one where the top lifts up for height when you need it... in other words, it can be built to be expandable when you get there,, but it adds weight and complicates the build.

[bobhenry]

put the kids in their own for privacy and sanity

[jdarkoregon]

Arne's statement is right on the money. I don't know what you are driving, but things are scary if you can't see behind you

John