Sidney, Nebraska, wanting to build.

[charlesshoults]

Hello, I live in Sidney, Nebraska and work for Cabelas. For some time, I've wanted to put together a trailer for various other tasks. Until last year, we had a dealer in town that sold Teardrops, but going for $4000 - $7000 each, I've been unwilling to bite. I'm working on a design for a trailer to serve a number of roles. As I've been working on the house, I've been borrowing trailers lately for disposal of tree limbs and discarded lumber and to go pick up new supplies. I have a '95 Grand Cherokee and want a trailer that is proportional in size.

My initial requirements for a trailer is to have a flatbed capable of holding a full sheet of plywood or drywall, 30x9.5 tires to match the Jeep and high ground clearance for off road use. From there, I can attach a number of box designs to the frame to match my needs. One is 2x4 socks for wooden walls, next is mount points for an old Datsun 620 pickup bed and last is the teardrop shell. Most teardrop designs I've seen, feature a fairly narrow body that fits between the wheels. My final design will most likely be 8'6" long and possibly 6' wide, depending on how well I can see around it when driving.

[BillandMarijo]

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your build,
Bill and Marijo

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Charles, welcome to the best camping trailer site on the web. Looks like you have a fair idea of what you want, that will take care of your various needs. It will be interesting to see what your design looks like. First, you want to haul lumber on it, which is good. Then, you plan to attach wooden walls, good. Later, on goes the old Datsun pickup bed, probably for some heavy hauling. Lastly, you want to have plenty of ground clearance for some off-roading with a teardrop that you will afix to the flat-bed frame.

These are great ideas, and I will say, you are making the most of a trailer that for most of us, is only used to support the weight of a teardrop trailer. Ok, time for some sketches, then some pics and finally a trip to a teardrop gathering to show us the fruits of your efforts. Be sure to ask questions, if you have any and here's wishing you good luck in your building process. Many of us have been where you are, and know what decisions you have to make as time goes by.

Roly

[sheila]

Hi Charles. Good ideas! I'm fairly new too, and have seen that everyone here is really helpful and positive (even when they question what you're doing). So far I really like this site and hope you do, too.

I've been thinking of ways to make my design modular, so the insides can be taken out for utility use. (At this point I'm leaning toward a cargo trailer conversion.)