Newbie getting started , trailer?

[BobBash]

Hello folks ,
Been lurking a while & reading , reading , reading ............I want to build a 5'x8' teardrop along the Benroy lines . I'm looking at trailers & I've been reading in this forum that some people opt to use the NT trailer item # 125692 but reading the specs it states that the 5'x8' trailer is only rated at 45 miles per hour . It has 12" tires on it & the OEM does not recogmend changing to a larger size . Am I missing something ? I see where the Tractor Store has their 5'x8' landscape trailer on sale for $599. It has 13" tires on it . I would need to weld some additional bracing from the tongue back but the trailer seems like a good way to go , any suggestions ?
Thanks for any info .......

[bc toys]

welcome to site from Las Vegas Nv don't know a lot about trailers just wanted to welcome you here

[BobBash]

Hey !
Thanks a lot for the welcome ! You are the first person that I have heard from so I guess I got registered ok .

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Bob, I guess I'll be the second one to welcome you to the forum. Personally, I think the 12 inch tires are getting a bad rap. Both of my teardrops are built on a Harbor Freight trailer and have 12 inchers. I usually cruise along at 65 or 70, depending on the concentration of law enforcement. (Our Calif law forbids towing any faster than 55 mph.) I think the 55 recomendation on the tires is a CYA statement. I have never had a tire failure, and after 30,000 miles on my 450 lb woody, I have bought 2 new sets of tires, not because they were in danger of failing, but simply because I wanted to feel safer as I crossed the deserts, mountains and praries from Calif to Indiana and Kentucky.

I suppose those with heavier trailers wouldn't agree with me, but for my weight and mode of travel, 12 inch tires work just fine. I always carry a spare wheel and tire, just in case. Good luck on your build, you failed to mention where you are from, but surely there must be some TDers in your neck of the woods, just put out the word, and you will surely get in invite to swing on by and check their trailers. Check with the Tearjerkers website, they are all over.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif TD builder and user.

[BobBash]

Hey Roly ,
Thanks for the reply . I'm glad to hear that the 12" tires with a light load works just fine . I'm thinking that with a 5'x8' tear , 13" or 14' would be a good fit . I would think that greasing the bearings every so often mkaes a difference too .
Roly , I live in southern coastal Maine but grew up in Ohio . I've been here for many years . I'm 59 . I have a nice camp/cottage on a nearby lake but the idea of the freedom & simplicity of having a small camper to just grab & go is really appealing to me, along with the low cost of the build & towing compared to just about anything else .
Again , thanks for your reply & info & maybe we'll meet up on the road somewhere ...............

Bob

[Vedette]

Welcome to the forum Bob.
I have yet to tow a trailer, but look forward to my new teardrop because of size.
I have 165 x 15's on my trailer and plan on traveling well over 45 mph, as a matter of fact I don;t know how we will get across California if they have a 55 mph max for towing???
Hope you enjoy your build as much as I have.
Actually just came in for supper after a day in the shop, working on the teardrop.
Hope to be ready to share new pictures next week.
Good Roads
Brian

[BobBash]

Hey Brian ,
Thanks for the welcome ! I too , was unaware of a 55 mph limit on towing anything in Cal . I'm a long ways from there but my hopes include a long trip to the pacific northwest where I was supposed to stationed many years ago . I ended up in Maine & love it , but there is much I haven't seen west of the Mississippi . I 'm just in the bleary eyed , read & look at anything to do with Teardrops stage . I do have a 4'x8' trailer but want to make my project a 5'x8' . I wonder if anyone puts shocks on their trailers ? I almost hate to get on the computer because I'll be staring at this forum until the wee hours of the morning . I need to figure out how to post pics because mine are to large & I'm not much of a techy . I'd sure be interested to take a look at whatever pics you have .I work till noon today & this afternoon I'm going to start to clean out half of my garage to make room for the build .
Thanks again for the welcome .............

Bob

[Vedette]

I too have problems posting pictures, so I wait for my son to visit (he is a whizz).
I do have an album started if you click on the little Album icon under my signiture picture.
Love you enthusiasm! I too am headsed for the shop today to continue welding.
Good Roads
Brian

[canned o minimum]

BobBash...WELCOME ! As a Mainiac( Born & raised) and as a( Bob), it is nice to see ya here ! I hail from O.O.B. and was back "home" last summer.

My trailer is a refirbished Little Guy 4 wide that I bought as salvage and rebuilt. It weighs 820,camp ready. I tow it with a 1965 VW Bug.

That little trailer has been a God send fer over 4 years now with travels up to 550 miles one way...14 inch tires.

I'm hopin to "build a woody that weighs HALF as much as the Little Guy ! Them 12 inch tires are gonna be jus fine fer ME !

Can't wait to see th saw dust FLY ! GIT R DONE !!

Robert The Mainiac livin in exile in SoCal !

P.S. That Rolly guy...you'd do well to pick his brain ! Check out HIS build pics !!

[BobBash]

Hey Bob !
How in the world did you migrate from old orchard beach to SoCal ? I live in the Topsham /Brunswick area about 30 miles north of Portland . I'm assuming that with you looking to cut your weight down in building your woodie , that it will also be a 4 wide ? I have checked out Roly's builds & it goes without saying I'm very impressed . I'll be picking his brain for sure . I really like the woodie look but I'm wondering how it will hold up to the elements over time . Everyone is right , this forum & teardrop stuff is like a BIG TRAP , once you get caught , your caught !! I have a number of ideas in my head & then I go reading the forums ( like Camping Secrets ) & I start to rethink what I want to do . I suppose it's like everyone says , just start letting the sawdust fly !!! It almost seems like there has to be more than one Teardrop in my future !

[canned o minimum]

Got a line on a City job out here 34 years ago and couldn't resist the weather !! Yes..fer me, weight is EVERYTHING ! Yer only limited by yer imagination on these tiny trailers !!

The elements is THE deciding factor in our "builds" fer sure ! Out here it is pretty much warm and dry.. a woody fer ME, thank you !

I'v always been an outdoorsman and an adventurer...That is the definition of Teardrop Trailers, ain't it ?

Happy Trails ! Ayuh !

[nhstt]

Bob, glad I found your posting. I've started my build and am using Roly's Stacker as inspiration. My trailer is 40x48 with 12" tires. my floor is 46 3/4" by 84. As soon as I figure it out I'll be starting my build journal. Know anyone who can add a receiver to an old subaru in this neck of the woods? Hope you get started soon. Don't forget you can do an over the wheel build to get your 5 feet.
Karen

[nhstt]

Bob hope your still out there just realized this was a year ago April .
Karen

[BobBash]

Hello Karen & yes , I'm still out here . I'll have to check out Roly's stacker . I haven't looked at your profile but I think you are in New Hampshire ? I'm afraid that I don't know of any shop locally where you are to handle your hitch . As for me , I'm still want to build at least the 5x8 ( maybe 5x9) but I want the wheels to be outside of the trailer & have the tires be 13" or more .
Thanks for checking in on me & send a pic of your build when you get a chance ...............

Bob

[nhstt]

Bob,
Gordon figured out how to get my build journal photo's in. If you need help just pm me and I'll send you his email.
How's it going? We got a slow start here with the late winter. we'll be moving her outside soon.
just click on the link to see what we're up to.
Karen at the Ladybug-out build journal viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55602