Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

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Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:06 pm

Hi Folks,
I’m in the design stage. I most likely will build a gypsy trailer, but a teardrop is a possibility too. I am an artist and paint landscapes on location or in “plein air”. Until now I’ve been camping in a tent, but sometimes the temperatures get too cold or too hot to camp. I’m in Memphis, TN.
I have a boat trailer from a sailboat that got crushed by a pine tree in a tornado, but the trailer survived. I’m debating whether I can use it for this build. I’m going to be pulling it with a Honda Element which has a 1000 pound tow limit without brakes or 1500 pounds with brakes.
Anyhow I look forward to getting to know a few folks on this forum.
I can try and post some pics when I get to a computer…
Thanks-
Matthew
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby pchast » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:26 pm

Welcome!
:D
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby celadon » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:29 pm

Sounds like a neat project!
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby swoody126 » Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:16 am

with a big ole tub full popcorn

00M0M_hFsxHcXBv6L_600x450.jpg
00M0M_hFsxHcXBv6L_600x450.jpg (17 KiB) Viewed 416 times


and a tall glass of sweet tea

sweet tea.jpeg
sweet tea.jpeg (6.18 KiB) Viewed 416 times


I'M FOLLOWING

sw
"we are the people our parents warned us about" jb
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:49 am

Thanks Y’all.
I’m trying to figure out how to add photos. The FAQ section says they have to be part of a URL?
Does anyone have any suggestions on which threads I should look at for how to post photos? I’m sure it’s been covered.
Can I post photos directly from an iPhone 7?

I have many sketches already- And photos of the boat trailer.
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:53 am

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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:21 am

I’ve created a personal gallery but I don’t see how to add the images from the gallery to a post? Help! I’m trying to do this from a small iPhone so maybe I need to move to a computer.
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:55 am

167686
OK I think I just posted my first picture. Yay. Progress. When I click on gallery I don’t know quite how to get back to the post that I’m creating… it takes me to a new window. I’ll figure it out eventually. I’m still trying to do this on a little iPhone so maybe going to the computer will help.
Here is the trailer I’m thinking of converting. Alternatively I will purchase trailer kit from one of the typical sources like Northern tool.
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:57 am

167685
The trailer is 64 inches, and I will want to extend it to 96 inches or more. I guess I will need to move over to the build forum from here. Or is there a better forum for trailer chassis questions?
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby tony.latham » Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:19 pm

and I will want to extend it to 96 inches or more.


If I understand your sketch, you won't be able to back the trailer without making contact with your tow vehicle. You want about 4' of space for that. That's why trailers have tongues.

Image

But perhaps I'm missing something? :thinking:

Tony
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Re: Newb from Memphis building Vardo wagon

Postby Paintsalot » Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:58 pm


If I understand your sketch, you won't be able to back the trailer without making contact with your tow vehicle. You want about 4' of space for that. That's why trailers have tongues.


Hi Tony- thanks for your input! I’d like to purchase your book soon.

Sorry the sketch might be confusing -that’s just the part of the trailer without the tongue which bolts in to place. It’s designed to hinge where the tongue meets the trailer. Here is a photo showing the full length of the trailer with tongue. The tongue is too long right now really, it’s sized for a sailboat that was about 14 feet long. I will probably need to find a shorter tongue.

167690

The main question I’m wondering is if this trailer would be adequate for a 5 x 8 gypsy caravan. My feeling is that it will be fine. I’ve taken it on the highway from Kentucky to Memphis at over 70 miles an hour, so I know it does fine on the highway.
There’s an attachment point near where tongue bolts in that I could anchor wood framing to. I will need to cantilever out the wood framing of floor. I’m imaging 2x4’s around perimeter of floor, and either 2x2’s in center or 2x4’s on flat, spaced 12 or 16 inches on center.

Ideally I could make it fold down similar to this one https://tinyhousetalk.com/modern-bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon/. That way I can see out the back window of my car.

Matthew
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