Build off the trailer then drop it on?

[Camp4Life]

I've been contemplating whether I should just start building my flooring and walls on my deck before getting my trailer. My deck is huge and built very well, so I'm not worried about putting weight on it. I've had the rear wheels of my F-150 on it and it was solid. That was accidental as my deck is up against my concrete parking pad and I just backed up too far

Since I'm still hum-ing and hah-ing about which trailer to buy, I figure I can worry about that later. So I could start my framing and whatnot, put up walls etc on my deck, and just make sure it fits on a 12x6 trailer right? I realize that at some point it'll start getting heavy but it's nothing that me and a few of my army buddies can't pick up and drop on the trailer later on.

Has anyone else done it this way? I see most builds are done right on the trailer from the start. I'd also like the option of down the road being able to swap trailers if anything goes wrong with the trailer itself, or if I want to get something bigger or whatever. Also, is there a downside to doing it this way? I checked and my deck is very straight and level...

Thanks!

[Pmullen503]

How are you going to lift the finished TD? I think that is the issue to worry about.

[Camp4Life]

How are you going to lift the finished TD? I think that is the issue to worry about.

It's actually a standee, 6x12 floor, 6'5" at the highest point in the back, so it'll get heavy for sure. But like I said, once it gets to that point, I can get a few army buddies to help me move it (I'm the oldest in my mid-30's...). Or I'll get creative with some wheels and a winch

I'm just wondering if moving the heavy thing is the only downside to building this way and curious if anyone else has done it like this.

[Roly Nelson]

My 2 cents, get the trailer frame, build the standie! I've never heard of any trailer-ites changing trailer frames. Any other comments?
Roly, So Calf woody guy

[RonS]

How are you going to know what dimensions to build to, if/where you need to leave a wheel arch, etc if you start building before you decide upon your trailer? I know some have built before they physically had their trailer, but they already knew the model trailer they were going to get, and knew the trailers dimensions....

[tony.latham]

Well... for the traditional teardrop, I've done it both ways. The first one was built on the trailer chassis, the last two on vehicle frames so I could wheel it out of the garage. I much prefer building off the chassis and installing the cabin when it's nearly done. It's great not having to work around the wheels/fenders. But that's for a teardrop.



Just make damn sure you hitch the chassis to your tow vehicle before you attempt to load the cabin.

Tony

P.S. "...a few army buddies" You know... no offense intended––quite the opposite––but the military is really-really good at destroying things that really need destroying.

Pipe rollers, jacks, and lots of cribbing and one good friend that can take directions and help you critically think through the problem.

[Camp4Life]

How are you going to know what dimensions to build to, if/where you need to leave a wheel arch, etc if you start building before you decide upon your trailer? I know some have built before they physically had their trailer, but they already knew the model trailer they were going to get, and knew the trailers dimensions....

Well I already know it'll be on a 6'x12' flatdeck trailer, and it'll be built within the arches. I'm still on the fence of just getting a trailer built as well so that I can decide where the axle will be. The long and short of it is that I can start building the camper now and not have to wait on getting a trailer, I'm just wondering if it's a good idea other than having to lift it on.

Here's the trailer I designed sitting on a 6'x12' flat deck trailer. It sits within the fenders.

[Camp4Life]

Well... for the traditional teardrop, I've done it both ways. The first one was built on the trailer chassis, the last two on vehicle frames so I could wheel it out of the garage. I much prefer building off the chassis and installing the cabin when it's nearly done. It's great not having to work around the wheels/fenders. But that's for a teardrop.



Just make damn sure you hitch the chassis to your tow vehicle before you attempt to load the cabin.

Tony

P.S. "...a few army buddies" You know... no offense intended––quite the opposite––but the military is really-really good at destroying things that really need destroying.

Pipe rollers, jacks, and lots of cribbing and one good friend that can take directions and help you critically think through the problem.

Glad to know someone else did it!

I don't plan on waiting until it's completely finished either, just partially done with some walls done, maybe some of the roof. Like you mentioned, easier to work on when it's sitting on the ground. Especially since mine will be a standee and harder to reach the top if on a trailer...

And touche on the destroying lol but in this case, it'll be a matter of moving the trailer and then hopefully only destroying a case of beer

[GPW]

We built our little Foamie trailer #1 on a pair of saw horses , then put it on one trailer , then another ... A friend helped me pick it up .... Foamies are very Light , especially without the trailer component ...

[bobhenry]

I had my trailer at hand but did build the body to those measurements off of the frame and later placed it. weight transfer and balance are the only key factors. Making sure 60% body length is forward of the axle to make the project mile mannered on the road.

[aggie79]

I built my teardrop shell mostly off of the frame but sometimes on a temporary dolly. I found it helpful to flip it over and stand it on its end for fabrication.







I did the teardrop gymnastics by myself but I'm not sure I'd try to go it alone on anything much bigger than a teardrop.

[rockinrobin]

I like your design !

[Camp4Life]

Good to know others are doing it for sure, thanks for the confidence boost guys!

I built my teardrop shell mostly off of the frame but sometimes on a temporary dolly. I found it helpful to flip it over and stand it on its end for fabrication.







I did the teardrop gymnastics by myself but I'm not sure I'd try to go it alone on anything much bigger than a teardrop.

Nice build! But yeah, I won't be able to flip mine around like that for very long

[Camp4Life]

I like your design !

Mine? Not sure who you're talking to...

[rockinrobin]

Yours, I like the stand up space in the back! Ronnie