Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I think I’m pretty set on using an 8.5 wide trailer for my first go at a conversion. I think I grasp the advantages of a 7’ wide trailer being less frontal area and easier to see down the side.

The obvious advantage to 8.5 is more interior space but at the cost of more frontal area and needing tow mirrors.

I’m interested in hearing from anyone who as gone either way and regretted it and why.

Thanks.

I went with a 7' and found out on our last outing as I was driving through the old section of town in St Augustine FL the tires were touching both sides of the lane markings! Any wider and I wouldn't have been able to drive there without taking up both lanes, as it was I had to keep a close eye on my mirrors to make sure I wasn't drifting out of the lane because there were cars literally 12" away from my tires.

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wyldesyde007 wrote:I went with a 7' and found out on our last outing as I was driving through the old section of town in St Augustine FL the tires were touching both sides of the lane markings! Any wider and I wouldn't have been able to drive there without taking up both lanes, as it was I had to keep a close eye on my mirrors to make sure I wasn't drifting out of the lane because there were cars literally 12" away from my tires.

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Axle width is usually the same for 7 and 8.5 correct?

I regret having exposed fenders/wheels vs body over wheels. I have a 7' wide trailer, but 9' feet of wheel width that I need to be mindful of. Not sure if wheels out makes it more stable, but it can get tight on some of the uber narrow twisty, turny paved mountain roads. Driving well below the speed limit on those roads because I literally consume the entire lane. An 8.5 may be near that, but you get that much more interior space. Not sure about the stability of wheel under body vs wheels out. Plus tortion vs spring axles, not sure the standard for wheel under body, but sprung axles make it easy to do a spring over axle conversion to give you a little more clearance. If it comes down to sprung vs tortion, would take the sprung regardless of the width/setup for that very reason alone. But anyway,.. just some thoughts..

Wheel under body to maximize space.

Wide TV to match

No.

brianjonesphoto wrote:

wyldesyde007 wrote:I went with a 7' and found out on our last outing as I was driving through the old section of town in St Augustine FL the tires were touching both sides of the lane markings! Any wider and I wouldn't have been able to drive there without taking up both lanes, as it was I had to keep a close eye on my mirrors to make sure I wasn't drifting out of the lane because there were cars literally 12" away from my tires.

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Axle width is usually the same for 7 and 8.5 correct?

Yeah that's correct but I couldn't imagine trying to fit down those small streets and not being able to see around the box any, I feel like it was easier to keep an eye on the wheels

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Howdy All;

Had to deal with Oversized permits when I drove over the road. Now
the Federal width limit is 102" or 8'6". However some States have restricted
the size to 96" or 8' and that includes fenders, lights anything that projects
outward on certain State roads. Florida limits width to 8' on roads less than
12' wide. Here's a Handy-Dandy reference to maybe keep from getting a ticket.
https://coast2coasttruckingpermits.com/ ... al-limits/

It's also good for Nord o da Border eh.

hank

Interesting discussion. I'll be following along. I have a late 60s Steury popup I want to tear down and build on. The frame is 7' x 14' and my intent is to overhang 6" on each side and have the wheels inboard and flush mount lights all around. We have a Hummer H2 to tow with so width is not at all an issue.

There is so much construction in Houston and on the I-40 corridor to St Louis where they cut the lane width to bare minimum. I'm glad we went with the 7' wide for that reason.

I was surprised by how much the 7' wide TTT affected my mileage, versus the 4' teardrop. I went from 18 to 13mpg.
Bruce

Yes a nice wide TV to match the trailer makes thing so much easier.

If you rent a U-Haul 12+ footer, that's a 450 give a good idea.

I regretted buying 8.5 and sold before I realized a 7' trailer was just as wide since most companies use the same axle. I don't want fenders, but want 7' wide and after a few years of causally looking, I'm still empty handed.




https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tro/ ... 23750.html

https://waterloo.craigslist.org/tro/d/e ... 62140.html

Crazy to stick the wheels out past 6' wide just to get a flat floor.

Whatever width I'd want, wheel-under is the only way to go IMO.

I can argue both ways. We have had a 7' and an 8 1/2. Version 3 is a 8ft. I just bought it today.

7ft towed the easiest, no fenders inside. I like that, especially with a gas tow vehicle. It's much more aerodynamic as the TV and trailer are basically the same width. However, not much room inside. Therefore the switch to the 8 1/2.

8 1/2ft wide. Definitely need tow mirrors. Already had them on a superduty. I got better mileage with 5ft V on a 28ft trailer than my 18ft long with 6" bow slightly rounded race car trailer. On the other hand the 2' V nose made no difference on my gas vehicle when I had a v nose cargo.

Much more room, put flip down jack-knife couches above each fender. and another set that joined together in back to make a king bed from a "professionally built" toy hauler that someone was removing. Craig's list score.

Just bought today, a 8ft wide 32ft long gooseneck V nose cargo trailer. Again V nose helps with mileage, but also in turning angle. My inlaws have a tight circle at the end of their road and I was able to make it with the V nose. Flat front would have been a no-go.

OVERALL 8' IS THE BEST OF BOTH. You get the extra width, a little less drag, but most of all I can still see around it with tow mirrors. I can not see the side of the trailer (same truck) on the 8 1/2 vs the 8ft.

On the flip, it is hard to find an 8ft trailer any more.

Those referrring to axle width. There are multiple axle widths. I had a 7x18 with the axles under. My son's scout troop trailer has same 8' wide axles. with 7ft trailer. Some are called 7' wide, but their really 6 1/2 inside but no fenders. Again it depends on tow vehicle, gas vs diesel and what you are hauling and camping with.

Pm for more personal questions if you would like.