Getting going - advice, please?

[DoctahDeane]

Hi everyone,

Newbie here and taking the plunge. I have all the tools I need. I just put a trailer hitch on my car and my new Northern Tools 5x8' trailer should arrive tomorrow. I know I have some work to do right off the bat (repack bearings, etc). I have bought Steve Frederick's shop manual and I am about to buy the Kuffle Creek plans. But, when I went to the KC site they offer both an 8' and a 10' set of plans. From what I can tell, it seems the 10' model would require trailer modifications which I don't really want to get into. Am I correct? Sure, 2 feet longer would be nice but I don't want to get in over my head right off the bat. That said, given that I have a 5x8 trailer is it possible for me to build a slightly longer TD, I don't know, say 9 feet for the sake of argument? Just would like to center on side profiles reasonably soon, and it seems that making these decisions right now are very important. Thanks for helping the new guy!

[Junkboy999]

If you just building a standard teardrop, you can build over the front and back of the trailer frame. The teardrop in it self is strong because it is a box with just a rounded top. You might have to lengthen your tongue if you build over the frame front and back.

When you're really to get this thing going, start a Build log in the build journal area and post lots of pictures. haha

[DoctahDeane]

Thanks, Terry! OK off to order Kuffel Creek plans now and read reviews of jig saws. Thanks for the quick reply.

[celticquetzel]

I'm going to round the front and back a bit... like a Cub(?). Figure a few more inches on each end will make a difference and I can keep the 4x8 floor simple.

[Vedette]

Make sure you go 5' wide!
That is all I can say!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi