new build first time

[tj599]

Well this is the first time im building a TD im hoping it goes well, im hoping to keep it around the 1200lbs to 1500lbs mark tops loaded but heres my challenge.... I am 6ft and 240lbs and my wife is a little shorter but we also have 2 dogs so im going to aim for something around the 5ft wide by 11-12ft long... but keep it under weight im hoping its going tp go well, pics to follow as I build but tomorrow im having the plans drawn up and start the trailer tomorrow getting it ready seeing as it is a popup camper trailer that needs to be ripped down an trailer cleaned up wish me luck here we go..

p.s any and all advice im be more than happy to hear it, lol

[Shar]

Welcome to ttnttt, and good luck with your build! I've found the people of this website very helpful and encouraging, sure you will also.
You will save a bunch of $ by reusing that old trailer. Good find!

[Oldragbaggers]

Just don't do like I did and start "upgrading" everything about your popup trailer. By the time I got mine modified by a welder, added a new axle, wheels and tires, (Dexter Torflex of course), leveling jacks, and 2" hitch receiver on the back, I could have made a healthy down payment on a new bumper pull. That got me off to a very expensive start on what was supposed to be a budget build. Unless that pop up has been abused or has been sitting rusting in a field somewhere for years it will probably be just fine the way it is. Clean it up, paint it, build something on it and go camping.

I also wish I had left the width. I had the outriggers cut off to make it narrower. If I had it to do over I would have built the bunk in from side to side, made it 5' tall (a squatty) so I could have stashed a porta potty in there somewhere. Just sayin.....

Good luck on your build. It's some of the best fun I've ever had, both building it and camping in it.

[tj599]

Thank you both for the replys, and yes shar im hoping so as well, I just got 1000 aluminum lightweight studs givin to me as well and I also have a buddy who is the second in command in a screw and bolt making company so I have a unlimited supply of any kind of bolts and screws available in stores today so im off to a good start, im hoping to be posting pics within the next day or two

oldragbaggers.. im glad you said that, I was looking into some of those options today lol but after reading what you wrote I went out and checked out everything and yes you are right it is ok I had to do a little patch work but all in all its going to be alright, I just cut the 2 support beams from the center as there was 2 to many, it had 2 extras rails on the frame that looked extra from someone with a crappy weld at that, im going to be sandblasting the frame his weekend for paint (if all goes well) this weekend lol