The Minutemen

[mozartsgokart]

I've been lurking for about 3 years now. I have finally acquired a trailer, for free too! Well I traded photo work for a trailer. Originally the previous owner purchased it to haul his scaffolding around. But since he is retiring from the business he had no need for the trailer any more.



Its a 6x10 trailer made of angle iron and I have a Subaru Forester to haul it. My plan is to build a larger trailer in the shape of a teardrop, with at least room to stand. I need to grind the bad paint off and fix the wheel well. Also I fear the tongue will have to be extended. Currently there is no room for any propane tank in the front.

Thoughts, concerns?

Thanks
-Aaron

[KCStudly]

Welcome to the interactive side of the board.

Thoughts: Looks like a great start! Keep those pictures coming. Sounds very TAB like. Do you have your profile and floor plan figured out yet?

Concerns: Too early to tell. 3 years of lurking sounds good (I did 2). You must have done your research and have had plenty of time to decide on making the commitment, so no rash decisions have been made. Sounds good to me. I tend to harp on that a little because I hate to see people come in, get all excited, start, then have to bail out because they had not learned enough to (a) know what they were getting into, or (b) get it right (enough) the first time. Good on you.

Well, I guess I have one concern. Is that Forester going to be able to punch a big enough hole in the wind to pull something that big and tall?

[Junkboy999]

It is amazing some people can see an old trailer and dream of gold, other just see junk.

Thoughts, concerns?... let me see....

Have you told the wife yet? Ha hahah you can tell I’m not married


GL and keep us posted.

[mozartsgokart]

Here is a sketch of the profile im exploring. I keep making it bigger and bigger. Having a wife there are certain requirements of the build. She is the reason I found out what a tear drop trailer was.. she showed me a picture and that was it.. I had to learn more!



How critical is the size of the forester if the trailer stick up a foot or two above it. I have done very little towing in my time. My profile has the trailer extending off the back and front of it for some extra room. The metal trailer is built like a tank and I can do the wood work to match strength, but as always weights the problem as well as making it tooo big for the car.

One requirement too is that it have plenty of insulation. Gets cold up here in Buffalo.

This build will be a slow one due to funding and simply because I can only build outside in summer due to lack of a garage.

[alby_c]

Well, the Forrester is rated for 2,200 lbs or 1400Kg towing, braked of course, so unless you go really crazy you should be OK.

The issue is more about drag, handling and fuel economy when the van extends above and out at the sides.
Standard type caravanning sites have long and contentious threads on this and a read through them should be instructive if you plan on making it grow beyond the wind shadow of the tow vehicle. (not usually an issue with teardrops)

I understand, with such a nice large trailer bed to start with the temptation to go large in every dimension.

I will not comment further as I am also at the starting end of my building experience and will defer to the more experienced.

Look forward tio how you progress

[KCStudly]

If you haven't already, consider looking at the "Foamie" section of the forum, especially the big "Thrifty" thread. There is a lot of information there about building on a budget and for light weight (lots of off topic stuff, dog pics, talk of 500 gallons of beer ballast, and destructive testing, but they are all good people and informative).

Even if you do not decide to do the canvas outer skin, there is a lot of info there.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

What year Forester? Standard or Automatic?

US spec Foresters <2003 were rated at 2000# towing.
2004-2006: Auto- 2000# ; Standard - 2400#
2007+: 2400#

Per Subaru, trailer brakes are suggested for towing over 1000# with a Forester.