Cary Winch wrote:Brian,
Measuring the back of the vehicle may not answer the towing question. Often the vehicle body runs a upwards taper. The only real way to know is to roll both front door windows down and measure between the inside of the side mirrors. Add about 4" minimum to make sure you can see around the trailer, there is a DOT spec for this that uses convergence points, so being flush with the side will certainly not get it legal. So, you would need no less than 6'4" from the inside of the mirrors. If the mirrors are fairly small it may need to more like 6'6" or better.
The Edge is a good sized vehicle so you may be in good shape. Maybe this will be one of those 5'6" wides or something.
As for how big the kids will fit. My 11 year son still sleeps in the bunk bed of my Raindrop, which is 5' wide. He is tall and absolutely a press fit so really won't be able to do it much longer. Your kids would be good for a long time yet.
5' tall makes sense. But, you will have to creative in the construction methods due to those dimensions. If using a plywood construction you are limited to 4' of course because 5' wide plywood is rare rare rare. So, you would either have a seam or have to use a stick built method. This also is true with the aluminum outside if you chose aluminum. 5' wide aluminum, as many people on this forum will tell you, it super rare and difficult to source. It is not impossible though, you will need to do your homework on this one. Once again, you would probably end up with a seam. Maybe some sort of creative looking belt line on the side of the trailer.
Cary
I will check out all of those aspect for sure. I'm a complete newbie to teardrop, but I'm fairly handy given the correct tool.
I'm sure we will probably be ready for something a little bigger by the time they both outgrow it, but given how fast they grow, I know that will be here quicker than I want it to be.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Brian