5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

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5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Esteban » Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:32 pm

I'll soon start building a Benroy teardrop on Northern Tool 5' x 8" A-frame tongue trailer I have on order. Ironton Heavy-Duty Trailer Kit — 5Ft. x 8Ft., 5.30-12in. Tires It's currently on sale for $449.99. I'm getting an additional $50.00 off with a coupon code, 179771, so the delivered cost of the trailer will be $399.99. Quite a good value. It should arrive in a week or two.

I plan to fiberglass and paint the outside. To save time I'll most likely buy two 26" x 36" doors from Frank Bear at Vintage Technologies. teardroptrailerparts.com

My goal is to have a campable trailer in time to go to IRG5.0 in July. No pressure, right?
:)
Last edited by Esteban on Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 5 x 9ish Benroy on NT 5x8 trailer

Postby Esteban » Fri Mar 07, 2014 11:38 pm

This is a place to keep track of parts and suppliers I use.
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Ron Dickey » Sun Mar 09, 2014 10:32 pm

:shock: wow.....all new from scratch? I did not expect that. You will have a lighter trailer and save on gas.
You selling the old project to pay for the new? :thinking: Or have two trailers like me.... :lol:

Putting together the trailer frame is really fast. the floor too the walls takes time. Are you starting the walls now while you await for the frame.

My thoughts are work a little each day. Then stop and plan out your next move for the next day. It also helps to take a day off and rest and look at the project and plan the next move.

At least you have other trailers to compare too. Benroy's are a very popular trailer. You will not have to invent as you go like I am doing!

your friend from the next town over
Ron Dickey
Los Osos, CA 8)
173882......173887
Inside almost done--Trolly top has opening windows & roof.doors need assembling--pictured above waley windows..galley 1/3 done
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Esteban » Mon Mar 10, 2014 2:32 am

Ron, the new trailer can be licensed once its assembled with a floor. My goal is to have a teardrop "done" enough to take it to IRG5.0 this July. I'm planning several major labor/time shortcuts. The Benroy design seems much easier/quicker to build. The Northern Tool 5x8 Trailer can be assembled in a day and licensed with just a floor. To save time I plan to buy Frank Bear doors plus custom made cabinet doors and drawers. The doors and cabinet parts may cost a little extra but probably will save months of time and should be higher quality than what I could make myself.

I plan to keep my custom made 5' x 10' frame, too, which I did not (know to) license with just a floor...wish I had. Lesson learned. In time it may be completed as teardrop #2, instead of teardrop #1.

Now I plan to build a simpler Benroy on the Northern Tool 5x8 frame. Want to get some real life camping and traveling experience. Refine my ideas. Then later I very well may complete teardrop #2 on my 5x10 frame with its Dexter #9 axle and brakes.

For those who do not know I started to build a 5' x 10+' Grumman II inspired teardrop on a custom made frame. Never got around to posting pictures here to document it. Got a floor, walls, and bulkhead installed. Back then Ron and I helped each other with our teardrop projects. I built two warped doors. Got frustrated. I stopped for a breather. The breather extended into years and my ideas changed/evolved.

Now I want to build a simpler Benroy with solar on the roof and a pull out drawer in the galley for an AC/DC fridge freezer. It will be 5' wide by 9.5' long. The precise dimensions are a little fuzzy until the NT trailer arrives and is assembled.

I'll be using many parts I previously bought like a Fantastic Fan, electrical supplies, LED lights, birch plywood, epoxy and fiberglass, boat paint, Grant's hurricane hinge, (now well seasoned) cabinet frame lumber, insulation and various bits and pieces.

I have a PD4045 power center from Frank Bear that will arrive Wednesday per UPS. Electrical supplies from DelCity.net and Amazon.com will arrive soon too. Plan to make a lumber run for the plywood needed for the floor, walls, roof, hatch, etc. asap with the newly licensed NT trailer. Most of the other parts and/or suppliers still needed are researched in my "favorites" ready to order as needed.

Everything should get off to a fast saw dusty start soon after the NT trailer arrives (this coming Friday). I have a bucket full of clamps and most of the tools needed. I'm hoping to make good, speedy, progress once construction starts. I will post pictures soon and as things progress.

I have the galley's design concept pretty well figured out. It will have five drawers under the counter top. Two 26' long ones will hold the cooler and the Camp Chef oven. In the center I plan three stacked drawers. Above the counter will be more storage cabinets including one for the electrical goodies like the PD4045. Will post my sketches for feedback.

I do not know if there is room on the Northern Tool 5' x 8' trailer for the walls to overhang the trailer frame about an inch on the sides, which I prefer if possible, without that interfering with the tires and fenders. Anybody know? :thinking:

Over the years I also acquired furnishings for the teardrop like an Ikea queen sized foam bed, a Camp Chef camp oven, cast iron dutch ovens, a thermal cooker, tableware, glassware, storage jars and more bits and pieces I'm forgetting at the moment.
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Esteban » Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:25 pm

The NT 5'x8' trailer was delivered today. The truck driver who delivered it unloaded three boxes from his truck and kindly brought them all to my garage with his dolly. I mention that because the trucking company would have charged quite a bit extra for a lift gate truck which I did not authorize. The fun can now begin in earnest.
:)

I have begun unboxing and initial assembly. Easy enough so far.

Discovered the lens to both taillights are cracked. Called Northern Tool to report the damage. They say it will take two weeks to ship new tail lights to me. That (probably) dashes my hope to get the trailer licensed in a few days.
:(

I may try a temporary fix with clear strapping tape to hold the lenses together.
:thinking:

They said the certificate of origin will soon be mailed to me.
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Ron Dickey » Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:11 am

Steve,

Take the lights off either of your other trailers and use them. You can switch back later. are they LED if not, I would go to a place that sells them.

I have several pair, old lights from old trailer when I changed to LED, Lights sent with the HF which I refuse to use. So if you need a pair brake lights you can have one of these.

Ron
173882......173887
Inside almost done--Trolly top has opening windows & roof.doors need assembling--pictured above waley windows..galley 1/3 done
Cross Bow in Build Journals....http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=54108
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Esteban » Wed Mar 19, 2014 1:31 am

Thanks for the offer Ron. I have nearly completed assembling the trailer. With luck I'll finish tomorrow and go for a spin around the block. The certificate of origin came in the mail. So I am close to being able to license the trailer. If the cracked lenses are the only damage to the lights I can (probably) tape them up well enough to get the trailer licensed. Then I'll replace the lenses when the new lights arrive from Northern Tool.

I am anxious to take the trailer to one, or more, of the lumber suppliers I've scouted out.
:)
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Kharn » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:56 am

Maine doesn't require an inspection, or go to Harbor Freight or Tractor Supply to get replacement assemblies.
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Ron Dickey » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:21 pm

How is the build coming. Got the lights on and reg?

Ron
173882......173887
Inside almost done--Trolly top has opening windows & roof.doors need assembling--pictured above waley windows..galley 1/3 done
Cross Bow in Build Journals....http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=54108
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Re: 5'x9' Benroy built on a NT 5'x8' A-frame tongue trailer

Postby Esteban » Sat Mar 29, 2014 1:56 am

Changing my plans, again. I found my receipts for the custom 61"x117" trailer I had made several years ago. I hope to license it this next week. If I succeed I will use it for the Benroy. The NT 5'x8' will be used as a utility trailer for my "pick up truck" trailer.

:roll: The promised replacement taillights have not arrived yet. So I called Northern Tool today. At first, today, I was told I'd have to wait until July for new taillights to come in from China. Or return the trailer for a refund. It's all assembled and the packing material is gone. Not good (that would suck big time). I asked to speak to a supervisor. She agreed to send me replacement tail lights they carry in stock. I'll call in a few days to ask if they shipped and request a tracking number. Fingers crossed it all works out OK.

I hope to begin making walls for the Benroy this coming week.

Much of the reason to give up the idea of using the NT 5x8 trailer is because I need the Benroy to be at least 115" long. Prefer it to be 121" long. I started to seriously consider using a new flexiride axle with it (about $400 with shipping) and bigger wheels. That would wipe out the savings to use the NT 5'x8' to meet my needs for a teardrop.

I have a big remodeling project coming up and really can use a bigger (than my current HF 4x8) utility trailer so I'll use the new NT 5x8 for that. It is nice and sturdy. I hope to have it licensed next week.

Will soon put my current HF 4x8 utility trailer for sale on Craig's List in SLO, CA.
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