Drop floors ?

[rustytoolss]

On average, How much can the floor be dropped, before it becomes a clearance problem (floor to road) ? I'm sure it depends on the length of the trailer. But on average ?

[daveesl77]

That would depend on the axle height, frame height, wheel size and desired clearance. Plus the movement angle of the trailer, meaning like if I'm pulling my trailer down my driveway, which is very steep, at the bottom the vehicle angles flat to up and the trailer is angled down thus the clearance is dramatically reduced for a few feet. I have to always pull out or back in at an initial angle and not straight up. I would think on average to not drop the floor below the base axle, but it could need to be higher.

dave

[rustytoolss]

Yeah, I know that there are a lot of things that are involved.

[halfdome, Danny]

The first teardrop I built had a dropped storage area that I had to rebuild with a shorter drop.
It was okay as long as I avoided shopping center parking lots that dropped below the street level, as it would scrape the pavement at the leading edge.
Something to think about when planning.
Danny

[rustytoolss]

The first teardrop I built had a dropped storage area that I had to rebuild with a shorter drop.
It was okay as long as I avoided shopping center parking lots that dropped below the street level, as it would scrape the pavement at the leading edge.
Something to think about when planning.
Danny

so how deep was your reworked drop ? and did it still cause problems ?

[halfdome, Danny]

The first teardrop I built had a dropped storage area that I had to rebuild with a shorter drop.
It was okay as long as I avoided shopping center parking lots that dropped below the street level, as it would scrape the pavement at the leading edge.
Something to think about when planning.
Danny

so how deep was your reworked drop ? and did it still cause problems ?

From that point on I always make the box 6" deep and attach it to the underside of the floor.
I run 15" wheels with 26 1/2" tall tires on a Dexter Torsion axle.
My wall bottom is 13 3/4" from the pavement and the box is approx. 12 1/4" from the pavement.
I've made several teardrops this way with no problems whatsoever.
Danny

[Vedette]

We have 8" of ground clearance under Miss Piggy, and have not a mark on her shinny belly in over 39,000 miles.
She has been towed over power lines and many of high speed bumps!
We have a 8' deep storage compartment under our sleeping floor.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[rustytoolss]

would you think that it would matter (as far as clearance issues) weather the drop is in front of the axle/ or behind the axle ? just asking

[halfdome, Danny]

would you think that it would matter (as far as clearance issues) weather the drop is in front of the axle/ or behind the axle ? just asking

You're absolutely correct. There's one Arco gas station in Visalia California that even the hitch will scrape going into the station, so the closer to the axle the better.
Danny

[Roly Nelson]

13 years ago, I built a footwell in my Woody, so we could sit inside and enjoy a prime rib dinner when it was raining. However, it never rained while eating prime rib, so it has never been used. It is about 8 inches deep and is flush with the axle and has never been a problem. If I were building another one again, I would eliminate the footwell all together, too much work for so little result. In my unrelistic design, the foot well should be extendable all the way down to the ground, which would make the interior high enough to stand in. Just my 2 cents, since my TD building days are over and all I can do is enjoy the goofy tears I have made so far. Good luck on your plans, and ideas, because that is what it is all about. Building a teardrop unlike any other, is personally satisfying, I think.
Roly

[HarryL]

I measured the lowest point on my tow vehicle, which was six inches at the belly pan and added 3 inches. So far so good. I figured if the car didn't scrape, the camper would be ok.