New to Trailer building

[Lot5studio]

Hello all,
I have recently fallen in love with the teardrop trailers designs I've seen on the web and now has me thinking of building one.
I have carpentry and electrical skills but none for welding.
I am extremely confused as how to start and I've read through some of this forum and that just has me more confused .
I am thinking of starting with a 5x8 trailer (I'm 6'3" and 240lbs) because I want it to be comfortable.
Are Redtrailers really the way to go?
How do you convert them to get automotive wheels to fit? (like those of a chevy?).
I would love any starter info you could pass along. I found the Kuffle creek plans for the cubby and that looks like a nice trailer.
Thanks all and hello
Peter

[parnold]

If you've been reading the forum, and are only extremely confused, you haven't read enough. You need to read until you're totally baffled! That's the point where you start!

I think a good number of people start with a Reds, or harbor freight trailer because we don't have welding skills either. It is a quick, easy way to get your groundwork.

I can't answer your question about wheels, I'm still running with the 12" that came with my harbor freight trailer.

[Lot5studio]

Thanks Paul. Yes, I'm heading towards baffled very soon .
I am what you call an "over researcher" as I like to have all my info together with the positives and negatives in place before I start. You know what they say about a good foundation. Well that's where I'm starting. I also love to customize so I may start with a good set of plans and go from there.
5' wide is absolutely where I need to be because I want my wife to enjoy this as much as I think I will.
Looks like some folk have turned their 12' wheels into retro looking with moon caps. I'll research that more too.
I need a good base to start so any help with the best trailer in 5x8 would be helpful.

[Sam I am]

Peter, I used a 5x8 Red Trailers frame on my tear, and it works well. I use the 12" wheels that came with it. They work, but look a little small. I don't know if any car wheels will fit the lug pattern on the hubs.

[Lot5studio]

Thanks Sam. Did you have to do any modifications to your frame?
Still trying to decide what body style I want to go with as well

[rbeemer]

Peter,

You can always have somebody build you a trailer with the axle that will use the rims and tires you want. You may have to modify the axle placement of any trailer you buy so that you get the tongue weight you want when your Teardrop is complete.

If you draw up the trailer design(frame and body) you are thinking and post it here, we will be very happy to give your our best opinion and suggested changes to help you

If you have not downloaded the balance spreadsheet, I would suggest doing it. It helps in guiding you to axle placement

We also have Benroy plans that are free but have great detail in the steps needed to build it that can be applied to any design you choose.

[kinto]

welcome peter

i bought a 5x8 from northern tool and it's very solid. reviews on the site are 5 star across the board. the only thing is the tires that come with it are only rated for 45 mph, but they sell high speed tires as well. the ones that come standard can always be used as spares or something.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200356494

kent

[Lot5studio]

Thanks guys,
I'm hoping that I build this once and it gives me many years of enjoyment. That's why I'm trying to find the best design and base to last. I have a welder in town but he doesn't do fabrication anymore .
I'd like to just purchase a frame so I don't have to deal with the welding aspect. Thanks for the Northern tool info.
Rick, where can I find the Benroy plans? That would help.
Being that I'm 6'3" I may need to go bigger than most plans indicate. %' width is a must and not sure if 8' or 10' trailer is necessary.
You all are a great group. Thank you for the help so far as I dream the trailer up .
I look forward to any more helpful replies.
So far I like the Benroy and Cubby design. The cub or moderista(sp?) are the better looking in my opinion. I like the aerodynamic rounded profile shape. I hear they don't have as good of an interior space though.
Thanks,
Peter

[Lot5studio]

DOH! Never mind on the Benroy plans. I found them in plain sight lol.

[Senior Ninja]

Here's something we found. My best friend and I took our time. Whenever it began to feel like work we'd stop and watch some history channel. It took us a year and we enjoyed every minute of it. I used it to transition through a divorce from a thirty some year marriage and two wonderful children. There were some medical problems that interfered. In short we enjoyed the process of the build. My decision was to build a forty eight inch wide TD because I felt it was more of a classical design. We used brass door knobs on the outside and fake glass knobs on the inside. There's a skeleton key lock to keep the doors locked. Forty eight width also made efficient use of plywood. I had no intention of marrying again so I wasn't too concerned about two people sleeping in the TD. Life is what happens when you were making other plans. Fortunately my wife loved camping in the TD.
We began by assembling a HF trailer and just added more from there on up.
Steve