Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm currently looking at an R&R VDC Platinum 7x7x16 + 3' v-nose or a Legend Deluxe 7x7x19 (includes v-nose). Working directly with R&R has some benefits and it seems just about every single option is cheaper. It gets spendy real quick, but I'm trying to have the factory do the important stuff including windows, RV screen door with window (moved back), roof vents, etc. My primary use is to set it up as a toy hauler / camper for hunting trips out West. Will need to haul two ATVs so need 14'+ of cargo room. Will also be using it as a family camping rig and will haul bikes & kayaks during the summer.

I'll have them mount the interior using as few screws as possible so I can take down and fully insulate the walls and ceiling. I'll do all the interior AC/DC wiring and lighting and will build some cabinets up front. No interior bathroom - just porta-potty and exterior shower hookup. Might have a water heater and furnace or at least plumbing to run portable heater. I will have a propane fridge, kitchen sink, and fresh water tank. The sink will just drain to the exterior with hose hookup for tote.

I have a couple things I'm struggling with:

-With a v-nose, there's no room for propane tanks. I would like to have the equivalent of two 30# tanks. I've briefly considered an undermount ASME propane tank and would love feedback on that option.

-With all the weight up front (cabinets, fresh water, batteries, propane?, etc., I'm going to be tongue heavy, especially on summer trips without the ATVs. Not sure how to get around this.

-With ATVs loaded and all our hunting gear, I'll be pulling a little bit of weight. Used to running a weight distribution / anti-sway hitch setup, but I won't be able to do that with an aluminum v-nose (Waiting on callbacks from both R&R and Legend regarding this.)

-Should I consider having the factory add a 2-3" lift? We do go down some two-tracks out West and up in northern Michigan.

Let me know your thoughts and can't wait to start my own build thread. My one buddy has a factory finished 7x7x20 flat front trailer, so I'll be stealing some ideas from his. Unfortunately, his trailer is 5000# empty and will become a bear to tow in WY with an F-150. This is why I'm looking at an all aluminum trailer. I'm in Michigan so R&R and Legend are both local to me. This site has a wealth of information and I know my future trailer doesn't quite fit the "Tiny" aspect.

Not sure about all your concerns but there alot of VNose CTC's with propane tanks on the tongue. There also the possibility of have the tongue extended like I did on my VNose ( not aluminum).


Martin

I'd go with RnR over the Legend. I wasn't impressed with Legends quality.
For the weight distribution hitch I was told no to it. I thought if I needed to maybe a steel plate. Just add a u shaped plate for each side.
If your doing a rear ramp it gets steep with an axle flip which is about 3-4. An axle flip doesn't change the axle height.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

My company has a fleet of cargo trailers and we have found that only 16 inch tires will perform to our standards in terms of longevity. So, I bought a double axle Featherlite trailer, 7.5 x 16 V nose, with 4,800 lb. axles. Two additional benefits from this larger axle were large 12 inch brakes (very important to me) and the fact the trailer sets higher off the ground with 3 more inches of clearance.

Featherlite also custom placed the axle where I wanted it for weight distribution.

My trailer weighs 2,300 lb. empty.

Thanks for the feedback so far.
-Yes an extended tongue is an option, just don't want any clearance issues and I still have the issue of tongue weight with that option.
-These come with Dexter torsion axles so an axle flip isn't an option but a lift is. Just curious if I should even consider it, probably doesn't add too much to the price. And just looking for 2-3".
-I'll check to see about larger tires.

Dano-Mich wrote:I have a couple things I'm struggling with:

-With a v-nose, there's no room for propane tanks. I would like to have the equivalent of two 30# tanks. I've briefly considered an undermount ASME propane tank and would love feedback on that option.

-With all the weight up front (cabinets, fresh water, batteries, propane?, etc., I'm going to be tongue heavy, especially on summer trips without the ATVs. Not sure how to get around this.

-With ATVs loaded and all our hunting gear, I'll be pulling a little bit of weight. Used to running a weight distribution / anti-sway hitch setup, but I won't be able to do that with an aluminum v-nose (Waiting on callbacks from both R&R and Legend regarding this.)

-Should I consider having the factory add a 2-3" lift? We do go down some two-tracks out West and up in northern Michigan.

When planning for a build like yours, multi use toy hauler/ camper possibly utility trailer, I would consider my heaviest loaded scenario as top priority, and try to keep the heaviest part(s) of that load balance neutral over the axles. In this case that would be the 2 ATVs. From there you can try to distribute the remaining fixed loads fore and aft to maintain that balance. When you are down to the last 500lbs or so of fixed load, check the tongue weight and distribute weight accordingly. This way, even if you remove the heavy load that was balanced over the axles, the fixed loads should remain pretty close to balanced. I use my fresh tank mounted behind the axle as ballast, so you can add or remove weight to adjust tongue weight by adding or draining water. Water is heavy at 8+ lbs/gal. When you are ready to leave the pavement, fill the water tank at your fuel stop.

McDave

Yes, torsion, but you said 2-(3) lift. A flip is (3)-4 and changes the ramp angle so (3) may a may not cause issues with what you load. 16" tires give you 1/2 of lift, & weigh more.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

Padilen wrote:Yes, torsion, but you said 2-(3) lift. A flip is (3)-4 and changes the ramp angle so (3) may a may not cause issues with what you load. 16" tires give you 1/2 of lift, & weigh more.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

My 4800 lb axles (vs 3500 stock) with 16 inch wheels (vs 15 stock) raised my trailer 3 inches to accommodate sufficient fender clearances

I went with a 45Deg down turn torsion axle. The extra clearance is wonderful. It rides nice too!!

The experts advice.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-117706.html


My little rig!

Thanks for all the responses so far and for links to other builds - some nice builds out there!

Any further comments on the horizontal ASME propane tanks - anyone install one? This would move some weight back over the axles (under the frame) and still leave the cargo area open. Looks like I need to try and put the fresh water tank underneath as well to keep some weight off the tongue.

Also looking for feedback on weight distribution options on a v-nose aluminum trailer.

Have you checked with RnR on the hitch? If I remember correctly the 14' ( maybe 16) I looked at had just a straight tongue.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

Re your comments:

-With a v-nose, there's no room for propane tanks. I would like to have the equivalent of two 30# tanks. I've briefly considered an undermount ASME propane tank and would love feedback on that option.

I put two ATV 5-gal gas cans on the front of my NEO, so there should be room for propane tanks. Of course mine is a NEO trailer with about a 2' V-nose.

-With ATVs loaded and all our hunting gear, I'll be pulling a little bit of weight. Used to running a weight distribution / anti-sway hitch setup, but I won't be able to do that with an aluminum v-nose (Waiting on callbacks from both R&R and Legend regarding this.)

I run with a weight distribution hitch on my trailer. Only thing I had to do was find shorter Grade 8 bolts to secure the hangars.

Hope this helps.

Padilen wrote:Have you checked with RnR on the hitch? If I remember correctly the 14' ( maybe 16) I looked at had just a straight tongue.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

My salesman at R&R was off this week so expect to talk to him again next week. They have just a straight tongue and not much room at all, not even for a battery. I can get an extended tongue (6") or they do have a Heavy Duty A-Frame as an upgrade option. I'm hoping to get pictures or diagrams of that so I can figure out more. Talked to the Legend dealer Tuesday and he wasn't sure - was going to check and get back with me (unfortunately, this Legend dealer hasn't returned phone calls very well at all).

CoventryKid wrote:Re your comments:

-With a v-nose, there's no room for propane tanks. I would like to have the equivalent of two 30# tanks. I've briefly considered an undermount ASME propane tank and would love feedback on that option.

I put two ATV 5-gal gas cans on the front of my NEO, so there should be room for propane tanks. Of course mine is a NEO trailer with about a 2' V-nose.

-With ATVs loaded and all our hunting gear, I'll be pulling a little bit of weight. Used to running a weight distribution / anti-sway hitch setup, but I won't be able to do that with an aluminum v-nose (Waiting on callbacks from both R&R and Legend regarding this.)

I run with a weight distribution hitch on my trailer. Only thing I had to do was find shorter Grade 8 bolts to secure the hangars.

Hope this helps.

For reference, here's a pic of the tongue on a 7x16 v-nose from R&R. The v-nose is 3'. I'll come back and post a pic of their heavy duty a-frame if I can get that from them.

Yes that's what I remember, on the "new" used.
They most sell enough of these to know if sway is an issue and how to deal with it. I have no idea about those other propane tanks.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk