newbie needs advice

[Rferg800]

Hi all,
Robert here from SW MICH. I've been looking at ALOT of TD trailers and decided if I am going to be happy I am going to half to build my own. Just found your forum and hope to gain lots of ideas here.
So here is my biggest challenge: My TV has a tow weight limit of 400#. (according to manufacture) so giving a 25% overage factor I figured 500# would be my top end loaded. If gear and supplies takes 300# can I build a TD shell on trailer between 100 - 200 lbs? I have even thought of replacing the plywood component with polycarbonate, you know high impact green house, panels. I was hoping for a 5 x 8 platform.

[Woodbutcher]

First off, welcome to the forum. Second, I would give serious thought into a different tow vehicle. Hitting your target weight with a 5X8 will be very difficult if not impossible. Also remember you need to consider all the things that go into a trailer. Mattress, food, dishes , clothes etc.

[Racquetman]

WOW, that's a tough challenge, I'm not a builder, but I listen to all the experts on this forum enough to know that will be hard, especially if you want a 5 by 8. If it can be done, someone on here will have the answer, maybe a foamy? Good luck with your research and build, and welcome to this forum!

[KennethW]

A HF trailer would be to heavy.You would need a A-frame trailer like the pico-light design( the axle wheels and spring would be the heaviest parts. 1" foam body with 2" foam floor. No wood hard points. Canvas skin inside and out including under the floor(canvas before mounting on frame. You would have to glue on plates of FRP or 1/4 plywood to mount hinges and other hardware. with the right curve.You would be able to use 3 light duty metal closet rods under the roof to support the roof and provide a place to hang stuff up. Just my thoughts.

[Jack Olsen]

Anything is possible.

Of course, that doesn't mean it will be easy or cheap. What is the tow vehicle?

[Rferg800]

Its a 2015 Can-Am Spyder RT-S reverse trike 1330 cc tour bike. 15 inch tires, air suspension, 62 in. wide front end, and 60 in. high windshield. So 5 foot high x 5 foot wide is my size limit to stay in wind tunnel the bike cuts going down the road.

[dales133]

Google aussie trike teardrops.
Theres a bloke here that makes them and although i havnt seen one but they must be light.
Might give you some ideas

[Shadow Catcher]

Look to see what the tow rating on your TV is in Europe, Because they require brakes it is often much higher.
Going is optional stopping is not and the addition of breaks may give you a workable weight limit.

[Rferg800]

The standard, that I have always gone by, is 10% tongue weight of total trailer weight to keep the trailer from fish tailing. That said my TV has a 50lbs. tongue weight limit. That's why I thought I could push the tow limit to 500#. I checked out a few of the foamy posts and those look promising. I had not thought about just a canvas skin over the dense foam board.

[rj.russell]

For the frame, check into making a frame out of round tubing. I'm thinking for the body, you might have to look at airplane type of construction, panels cut with lightening holes and then covered with a heat shrink film that they use on model airplanes. The neat part is all the colors avail including clear! You are going to have to cut some new ground and play with some new materials that are outside the norm for materials common for this group. This is exciting and go for it! Have fun!

[kayakdlk]

Check out this build for ideas http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=54344

Dan

[Rferg800]

Ok I am committed to start this build of a sub 500# TD. That is fully loaded weight, not empty curb weight. So TD curb weight target is 250# . I found these for replacement axles under this. I have a choice to get a set rated at 550# or a set rated at 935#. I know 935 sounds like an odd number to me too. My question: Is 500# too close to being at max weight limit for the 550 set? Should I go up to the 935# set or keep looking for something in between? And no the TD will never be over my 500# limit going down the road. Only when my wife and I are sleeping in it.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Welcome aboard and congrats on your build... But, Ouch ... 500#'s max GVWR on first build...

I think aluminum frame and foamy or canvas walls might get you started; BTW, there is bike Tent TD under build... Take a look at Sarge51's thread; he's building an aluminum Bike TD ... This may give you some ideas on design and weight... Good luck...
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=64931

[irgod32]

I'm a Newbie to this forum as well but welcome. I have been interested in building TD as light as possible so that just about any vehicle can tow one. My first 4'X8' Benroy Replica built on a steel C-channel home built frame weighed about 550#. My second build as shown on my profile (5'X9') built on a Harbor Freight frame weighed 600#. I have been to some TD gatherings and have seen many different ideas on how to built the "BEST" TD. One of the things I have noticed in many designs is that they are over built.
First of all, the frames do not have to be so strong that they can haul 3000#. The frame has to be built just strong enough to hold a wooden box (TD shape). Second, Many build a base with foam board and plywood. I understand the concept of the floor insulation but a simple fix is that your mattress is insulation enough, so the flooring can be built with just a 5/8" to 3/4" plywood (depending on the people weight) My wall sides are 5/8" plywood but I know there are ways to lighten them up. The roof shape is made with light pine wood ribs and topped with luan skin wood, then I cover the TD with 0.040 aluminum skin.
Reducing the weight as much as possible may be that you don't insulate the floor, ceiling, and no or very little cabinetry.
I believe that it IS possible to build a TD within 400# but one of the problems you will find that with a light trailer, it becomes extremely squirrely in tow. In most states a vehicle towing a trailer has a max speed limit of 55 MPH. If everyone followed that law, then maybe a 400# trailer may not be a problem. The last thing you want behind a 1300CC Trike is a trailer swerving back and forth behind you. I know it is possible to tow behind a Trike but you may have to consider a smaller trailer or a larger vehicle.
Another idea may be that you build a light weight flatbed (HF style) frame with a rooftop pop up tent (Google "Tepui Ayer Tent: 2-Person "). Rooftop pop up tents weigh about 120# and the Harbor Freight frame weighs only 250#. Together it would meet your "Max Tow Capacity", plus the low profile would help behind a Trike.
I hope this helps

[KennethW]

If you do a fold down I have seen a person use truck tarp with snaps for his roof and galley lid. You could have the galley wall and counter fold down then the sides. With the tarp re snapping on the trailer.
You could leave up, if just site seeing and take down when cruising. You could keep the cool TD shape and the galley in a light low package.