Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Posted: **Thu May 25, 2017 8:28 pm**

Hello all!
Looking for a little input. My husband and I have bought a frame that we thought would work perfectly based on measurements in the ad. Once we got the trailer home and started sketching up our design, we noticed that the trailer was a bit smaller than we realized. So I've been trying to figure out the best way to expand the frame and came across this picture online. We would basically be doing the same thing on the sides of the frame, building a 10" storage space, and then the sleeping platform on top. We wouldn't expand the tongue, but would expand the back 12".
Any ideas, thoughts, or input?

http://tinyhousetalk.com/wp-content/upl ... railer.jpg

Posted: **Thu May 25, 2017 9:26 pm**

I faced a similar situation, when I started my trailer build, but even more of a problem than you do. If you're starting with a frame in good condition, then adding to that structure is not a bad thing to do. I did my "additions" in two ways. First, my original frame was a total wreck, and too small for even a 4x8, which I wanted. I told a friend of my plans to bolt-on metal extensions to the existing structure, in order to expand the length (I left the width as-is). I only asked if he could weld on a new heavy-duty tongue beam (3"x3"x.1875" tube), and I could bend flat steel bar stock, to expand the rest. I had done the same type of work, making brackets and such, for myself and friends, for years (since, at the time, I didn't weld). Once I took the trailer to his shop, I agreed that WE should weld all of it, together.
welded on frame extensions designated by blue lines or stars

adding structural pieces to frame.png (484.78 KiB) Viewed 3207 times
We did all of the exterior structure at his shop, before I brought it home to my garage, to finish it off with all the interior, wiring, A/C, and decor. I also added a sliding tongue box support structure, made from scrap treated lumber, sorta like shown in your photo, so I know that extra wood pieces can be successfully added to frames, by bolting on. Others have done similar, but usually underneath, but the floor plate, and the monocque box structure of the cabin, will hold the side pieces firmly in place.
your proposed wooden frame extensions

mini-camper-trailer.jpg (76.95 KiB) Viewed 3207 times
wood bolted to perforated steel outriggers
squaring up the wood prior to bolting it on
adding the slide mechanism to completed wood base
sliding tongue box completed

Posted: **Sat May 27, 2017 10:44 am**

I also made my HF frame larger. What you have to be cautious of is weight. Instead of creating a new 2x4 frame like in your pic, I took 2x4's and used them as just beams out to the side. The weight on the outside edge of your camper is minimal. I also extended my trailer by almost 2' (1' 10" if I remember right). And that, what you need to be careful of is the balance of your trailer in regards to your axle position. The rule of thumb is 60% front 40% rear. There is a calculator to help with this figure on tnttt.com.
Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Expanding a trailer frame. Thoughts?

Expanding a trailer frame. Thoughts?

Re: Expanding a trailer frame. Thoughts?

Re: Expanding a trailer frame. Thoughts?