How many teardrops on Harbor Freight trailers?

[Bigwoods]

Mine is built on a 4 X 8 Harbor Freight, although I widened it to 5 feet.

[Kanook]

I built ours on a 4x8 Redtrailer. Basically the same as the HF. So far so good however I do think the suspension is a bit too stiff.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1447041827.719299.jpg (33.9 KiB) Viewed 763 times

[Flying Teardrop]

I am starting to build a 5x10 teardrop on a 4x8 HF trailer I bought new in 1993. I used the trailer to haul the lawnmower for years, but my new mower outgrew the 4x8 trailer so I decided to use it for a new teardrop. Repurpose, reduce, reuse
David

[Graniterich]

What is your plan on wheels, at five wide there will be about three inches under and three over

[Flying Teardrop]

Graniterich, My 4x8 HF trailer is 62 inches between the outside of the tires. I'm planning on a 60 inch wide interior with 1 inch walls which will give me a 62 inch wide teardrop, this should be even with the outside edge of the tires. The plans at this stage are subject to change.

[KennethW]

Have you seen the post were someone cut and length the axle. Then ran 5' angle iron under the frame to mount the spring brackets on.

[Graniterich]

Cutting the axle is over my comfort zone

[Kenp51]

Have you seen the post were someone cut and length the axle. Then ran 5' angle iron under the frame to mount the spring brackets on.

You have my curiosity way up.
I searched on "axel" and nothing that relates to this.
Got a link or something?
I want to know more.

Ken

[KennethW]

The

Have you seen the post were someone cut and length the axle. Then ran 5' angle iron under the frame to mount the spring brackets on.

You have my curiosity way up.
Ken

It was a recent post. It was on a round axle HF trailer. The person simple put angle iron's where the front and back spring mount brackets mounted, then mounted the brackets to the angle iron. The axle was cut and a tube fitted over the axle and welded.
It looked a lot like how some boat trailers are made.

[Kenp51]

Thanks Kenneth
I found it BY ACCIDENT.
I searched this site and then went out and Googled it. Found some tantalizing close hits, but not enough info.
Closed all of my searches and just perused the forum, not looking for it anymore.
And then I stumble over it, almost literally. Go figure. It was to late (and the wife and I were both sick) to post a reply here, so I bookmarked it.
It is in this thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=64379

The last 3 post

Thanks
Ken

[KennethW]

It really looks easy.If I would have seen that before I built I would have done mine that way. All one needs is the angle iron and a pipe of the right size. To do it a hacksaw ,drill and a $100 HF welder(or a friend with a welder).
One can still flip the axle over the spring to lower the teardrop with this method.

[Kenp51]

I thought it was real clever and well implemented.
Handles stress loads and distribution well. As well as the wider foot print should markedly improve handling and stability. I did find references to a (now discontinued NT) axle. But if the spring attach points are not correspondly moved as well, likely means trouble down the road (intentional pun).

I am hoping to buy a trailer in about 3 months (taking $25 from each check each month and burying it real inconvenient like).

Starting to draw out plans now.
I have to work with a 1000 lb tow limit and 100 lb tongue limit. But still looking to build a 5.5'x 10' TD.
I still creating a spreadsheet that handles the weight, balance and cost calculations for me, and allows me to do what if?s. Calculating the balance will be the hardest part of the spreadsheet. The rest is done already.
So far looks like a go. And cost does not come out to be a big deal either.
I believe the term for the construction methods I will use is "structure engineered panels". 1/8" luan with foam in the middle, and some Poplar framing.
Minus the Poplar framing I am at 500lbs HF trailer and TD. At least according to the spreadsheet.

So when I ran across hints of stretching the axle it really peaked my curiosity since I going to build a 5.5' wide TD.
I like your ideal of flipping the axle to lower the trailer bed.

I think at this time I will go with the trailer as is other than stretching the tongue (save every lb I can). At 5.5' wide there will be just a 9" over hang on the sides and position the TD with 1' over hang on the front and back.

Still in early thinking it thru stage though. Designing is something I really love. You can guess what my hobby is from my Avatar. Well most of the planes are my own design or very heavily modified if not.

Besides I need a TD to transport my planes in, (won't fit in the car) and hang at the field all day.

Ken

[KennethW]

If you plan on extending the axle be sure to get the super duty trailer it has a round axle (not the u shaped) It is a little more money but you get a round axle,5 hole wheels and bigger tires. I built very light(no wood 5x9-640#)so I remove the center leaf from the springs. I guess we are getting off the subject of TD on HF trailers.

[Kenp51]

Yeah agreed
I have been looking them over in detail the last few days. It is a much better choice for the job. Weight difference is so small as to be ignored.
Will most likely not extend the axle, at least that is present thinking.

So that raises another question.
If I have 9" overhang on the sides and 12" overhang front and back, HOW the heck do you do stabilizer jacks or stands? Do you need frame extension to cary and to mount to?

Ken

[KennethW]

I do not have stabilizer jacks. I just turn the teardrop until it is level side to side then use the hitch jack to level front to back. The springs are hard enough to stop any bouncing.
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