Trailer Support Question

[justageorgiaguy]

I'm doing all the research i can on building a trailer. I've seen many built trailers with supports welded under the camper "box" but then I saw this one where the tongue intersects the first few supports. Is one way better than the other? I'm planning to make an offroad style teardrop. Here's an example of both:

Tongue intersecting:


Support under trailer (granted this is a model mockup):

[bobhenry]

I would cast my vote for the model's configuration !

[MtnDon]

If you are making a pointy nosed TD then I would say #1. If the TD is to have a normal blunt front with a box on the A-frame then I'd say #2.

[justageorgiaguy]

My plan is a standard teardrop with a cargo box up front. On the top photo, I think the first section of that frame is actually where he is installing his cargo box. Here's the thread on it: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/149848-Just-another-teardrop-build

[vegask]

Its easier to fabricate the model style with the tongue support under the frame. Most guys on expedition portal are looking for max ground clearance and are towing with a lifted vehicle (same with me). Thats why the other style is popular on that board. I've seen people argue one is stronger than the other but if built correctly they are both strong.

[justageorgiaguy]

Its easier to fabricate the model style with the tongue support under the frame. Most guys on expedition portal are looking for max ground clearance and are towing with a lifted vehicle (same with me). Thats why the other style is popular on that board. I've seen people argue one is stronger than the other but if built correctly they are both strong.

I figured ground clearance was the main driving factor. I'll be pulling with a slightly lifted Wrangler Unlimited and I'm going with the Timbren axleless suspension, so I may go with the through-the-frame style.

[Tomterrific]

A triangle is the strongest structure. A square can be racked, pushed side to side like a book shelf with an open back. Put a member crossways from corner to corner and the floppy square turns into two triangles, very strong. Most all trailer frames i see are pure squares with no triangulation. The bottom pic shows a small triangle formed at each front corner, provided the member is securely attached. The top photo showed an incomplete triangle but with a very slight redesign would be much stronger.

A plywood floor with enough bolts provides triangulation in the cheapest trailer frames.

Tomt

[Vedette]

The model is the strongest (#2) and will give you more ground clearance.
I used #1 design on my first TD, but on my second (after reading more here on the Forum) I used the #2 design for my second.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[jss06]

I made a hybrid of the 2 designs because I integrated the tongue box into the body of the trailer.

The main frame:


How I reinforced the tongue for heavy off-road use: