Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

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Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby dbhosttexas » Sat Jan 11, 2025 11:49 am

I never did bother with a Teardrop because I figured the typical 4x8 would be claustrophobic for me...

HF is offering a larger size trailer now, not quite perfect for me, but might work for you at 5ft x 10ft. https://www.harborfreight.com/2000-lb-c ... 59846.html

For ME a minimum would be a 6' x 10'.

Anyway, just figured I would let y'all know as this could be a game changer for folks.
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby tony.latham » Sat Jan 11, 2025 12:35 pm

Anyway, just figured I would let y'all know as this could be a game changer for folks.


I'm glad to see this, but for a $1000, that's probably close to what a fabricator could build a much-better chassis.

Tony
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby dbhosttexas » Sat Jan 11, 2025 4:44 pm

I've not seen one at that size for under $2K. Might be worth looking into...
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby QueticoBill » Sat Jan 11, 2025 7:31 pm

Will it work? Trailer in one day with vin making it easy to register. A lot of time saved if it's good enough.
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby dbhosttexas » Sun Jan 12, 2025 3:16 pm

QueticoBill wrote:Will it work? Trailer in one day with vin making it easy to register. A lot of time saved if it's good enough.


That is what I was thinking...

For those wanting a 6x10 simple outriggers could fix the width issue...
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby tony.latham » Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:42 am

Trailer in one day with vin making it easy to register


I think it needs to be registered as a camper to get insurance, but I'm sure some don't insure them.

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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby Elseanno » Fri Jan 31, 2025 11:04 pm

tony.latham wrote:
Anyway, just figured I would let y'all know as this could be a game changer for folks.


I'm glad to see this, but for a $1000, that's probably close to what a fabricator could build a much-better chassis.

Tony


Hey Tony!

I have never built a trailer from scratch. I noticed that "utility trailer kits" from places like Southwest wheel runs about $600 for a kit containing springs, shackles, axel, wheels & hubs, fenders, wiring, lights, and hitch. About $800 for the torsion axel version. How do I get steel & fab for only another $400 +/-? My welding skills are so bad I wouldn't want anything that I welded on the road. :shock: (I can braze copper pipe pretty good but it doesn't seem to translate) anyway, I could make do with 5x10 but would prefer 6x12. Is this something regionally dependant?
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby tony.latham » Sat Feb 01, 2025 12:05 pm

How do I get steel & fab for only another $400 +/-? My welding skills are so bad I wouldn't want anything that I welded on the road.


I live in a two-light town and can buy pre-cut lengths of steel and I'm sure you can too. The last Dexter torsion axle I ordered cost $600 about 18 months ago.

I would encourage you to learn to weld. It's not magic. You know someone who welds and could mentor you. There are a ton of YouTube videos on welding using flux-core welders that really help.

This flux-core welder gets great reviews on YouTube:

https://www.harborfreight.com/welding/welders/mig-flux-welders/easy-flux-125-amp-welder-57861.html

$150.

If not, have a welding shop fabricate one to your specs. You'll have a much better camper than one built on a cheap frame and a cheaper axle and tires.

Here is the chassis plan from my book. I've lost track of how many people have built teardrops using it.

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It's built from 2 x 2" .120" steel--which isn't a challenge to weld.

And by the way, after twenty years of teardropping, my wife and I agree that a 5' wide teardrop is the perfect size for camping and towing. It also allows the builder to use 5' x 5' sheets of Baltic birch.

Good luck with your build. :thumbsup:

Tony
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby halfdome, Danny » Sat Feb 01, 2025 7:36 pm

Horror Freight tongues have been known to break.
If I remember correctly Mike the founder of this forum had an issue with the tongue and a member whose name was like Rangier leaned on his tongue box and the tongue broke.
I bought a welding DVD and learned to weld, YouTube is a great resource.
:D Danny
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby QueticoBill » Sat Feb 01, 2025 7:52 pm

I think the fork is overstressed because we move the axel back from center to 60% or so. It was easy enough to add a sterl tube at center and reinforce that weak point.

I liked the specs on that trailer. None of the 5x8 limitations: 75 mph, 13" tires, underslung axel, led lighting.
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Re: Want a slightly bigger teardrop? HF 5x10 trailers!

Postby TimC » Sat Feb 01, 2025 8:25 pm

If I was looking for my next chassis I would definitely look closer at this 5x10. Specs look good.

It sure beats the hell out of the Sterling 4x8 I built my latest foamie on top of. I baby the foamie and have reinforced the tongue so I don't worry about it too much. I would not recommend the Sterling as it is currently designed.
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My Second Teardrop (partial) Build Thread - Started August '16 - http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=66939
#3 My son's Benroy Foamie team build - Started July '20 - http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=72877

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