Newbie with the standard HF 4x8 trailer

[kd5edj63]

Hello everyone. I am new and I love anything camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing and basically anything but indoors. I have a sudden urge to build me a small travel trailer. I have desided on someting along the lines on a tear drop rather than something larger that I could easily stand in, dine in, cook in and sleep in.
My 1st question of which I'm sure I will have many, is, How to begin. I know (or at least almost know) that I want to build the floor over the wheels. I just think 4 feet is a bit too narrow. I have seen a nice, but heavy looking build by someone on here. I am guessing the floor alone weighs a few hundred pounds. I noticed that there was not any weather proofing on the floor frame work. Perhaps it was walmanized flooring. I do not want to build on a foundation that will soon fail. Can someone give me some good start up tips on getting the platform going. I have a fairly large shop, I have a welder, wood working tools etc. I am ready to hit up the home depot in the morning.
Thanks all, Darren

[Toyotamike]

Mine was built on a 4x8 HF. The floor is sealed with a goo like black sealant. I used the Kufflecreek plans. It's a good way to avoid waste and have a list of exactly what you need. http://www.kuffelcreek.com/teardrops.htm 4' wide isn't too bad while sleeping but I do end up shoving my girlfriend into the wall a bit though. But I love it.

[mikeschn]

Did you already check out the Generic Benroy plans?

http://www.mikenchell.com/images/GenericBenroyPlans.pdf

You could build out over the wheels.

Mike...

[kd5edj63]

Thanks guys. I think I have desided to NOT go over the wheels, at least not for my 1st build. Maybe later in the future. I might try to build the benroy on a 4x8 platform For now I need to get the floor done properly. I am also contemplating lengthening the floor by a foot or so. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated

[lee senn]

Darren I built my tear on a 5 x 8 Northern Tool trailer and I really appreciate the extra width. You might be well served to go at least a few inches wider than the 4 feet. In our tight spaces, in my opinion, every inch counts. Adding just 3 inches each side would make a huge difference in comfort. Lots of luck and glad to have you aboard. Lee

[kd5edj63]

Thanks Lee. I know what you mean. Being a former Army tanker (I was an avatar of a tank so I know theres at least one other tanker around here ) But Im over half way done with the floor. It is going to be 4x9. Im single so I should do ok with 4 feet wide at least for my maiden voyage

[bc toys]

Welcome to this great site of info hope you find all you need Enjoy what ever you build thats what we are all about here enjoying our camping

[angib]

Bear in mind that the galley bulkhead and the front panel of the body/roof are very deep beams and if:
1) you make those two from 1/4" plywood or thicker,
and
2) the bottom of them lands on the trailer frame,
then they will hold up a whole wider-than-frame trailer body on their own.

But they do need to sit on top of the frame - if you overhang the front as well as the sides, you have to build a strong floor structure to carry the whole trailer body. The galley bulkhead (the vertical panel between the bed and the galley) does need to be permanently fitted into the body, but it must cross the main side rails of the frame, so that junction will carry the load of the body weight.

[kd5edj63]

Thanks for the info. I built the floor out of 2 sheets of 1-2" plywood with a 2x4 and 2x2 inner support frame. Its as wide as the trailer frame, but over hangs each end by 6 inches. I think Im in good shape.

[rowerwet]

just be aware of how many people wish they built lighter, built like a tank is tough, but super heavy, 1x2" lumber is probably a heavy as you really need to go.
Good luck!

[kd5edj63]

Thanks. I'll keep weight in mind. I'm looking into how to attatch the sides to the floor. I am hoping I can get by with a single 3-4" layer of ply withought having to make "hollow walls". I'm trying the above "generic" link but cant get it to open now that I have time to take a look at it

[Roly Nelson]

As usual, I'm one of the TD builders that chime in and caution builders to build as light as possible. 11 years ago, I was told to use 3/4 plywood sides, and since I have worked on airplanes with 1/8 inch sides, I elected to build my 4 x 8 woody with a 3/8" floor and 1/4" sides and roof. Total weight of finished trailer is a bit more than 450 lbs and is holding up just fine. I have coated the bottoms of 3 of my teardrop trailer builds with roofing pitch, and have never had a moisture problem. The 4th one has a Line X sprayed-on coating, which added unwanted weight, but would probably pass the float test in a lake. Good luck on your build, remember, take pics and post em, ask any questions you want, and try to attend teardrop gatherings often.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif woody guy.