Pop-up Trailer Frame Weight

[TJinPgh]

So, I've been looking around for a possible trailer upon which to build something. Placed an ad in CL to that end.

I received an e-mail from an individual who had a small Starcraft pop-up camper that was stripped down to the trailer with what looks to be ply and a 2x4 frame on top of it that looks like it brings it up flush with the top of the fenders.

The trailer is 6'x8'.

So, I asked him if he knew how much it weighed. He responded that the title says it weighs about 800 lbs. I guess he never weighed it by itself.

So, looking around I see that 800 lbs was the stated weight of the small, 6' wide Starcraft pop-up in the mid 80s. So, that was the weight of the complete unit.

For those who have used pop-up trailer frames for their builds before, about how much can I expect the trailer itself to weigh in such a situation.

Whatever build I decide on needs to stay under 1000 lbs so I have to be careful that the trailer itself doesn't take up 600-700 lbs of that.

Any ideas?


Further, is it worth $250?

[High Desert]

If it has brakes and a torsion axle that would add quite a bit of value. Seems like those were common on many Starcrafts in that era.
And cash always talks, might get the price down a bit

[parnold]

My 6.5 x 10ft pop-up frame is easily 350lbs with the wheels. Northern tool 5x8 is 265 lbs. Harbor Freight 4x8 is 165 lbs.

[TJinPgh]

I admit that, having never gone through the contruction process I wouldn't know what kind of axle it had one way or the other on sight.

Brakes would be obvious. However, I seem to think that if the trailer has brakes that PA will require an anual inspection. Something I'm hoping to avoid.

I'll have to e-mail him to see if I can get a little more info.

Parnold,
seems like I'd probably be looking at somewhere a bit over 300 pounds if I had to guess.

Would give me 400-500 pounds to play with for the build itself and another 200-300 that's usable for gear.

Looking at something foamie based so that shouldn't be that hard.

[Irmo Atomics]

I just weighed my 1981 Jayco pop-up frame. I've added a little bit of steel to it, but it's still pretty light. The tongue is 40#, the wheels are 91# each for a total weight of 222 pounds - with 5.70 - 8 tires on it.

[TJinPgh]

That's a bit lighter than I expected.

Good to know.

Thanks.

[real550A]

These PUP frames are a little known gem! I have made nice flatbeds out of a couple, and what a nice platform for a TTT build! I just bought this
1981 Starcraft for $50. last Thursday, full of camping equipment!

[rowerwet]

see if you can find what the axle rating is, my PUP tear down was also a starcraft the axle is rated for 1600 lbs, the 800 lbs could just be the dry weight of the camper, not total useful load.

[rustytoolss]

[WizardOfOdds]

My old Apache used the 6x8 wood floor as an integral part of the “frame” using an “X” of bent sheet metal members. See this link for a picture of the basic idea

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=54379&p=1009322

The design was strong enough that it did not depend on interior cabinets for structural rigidity (it was completely open space inside!).

My point is this: look at the whole original design, not just frame. Going light requires a lot of thought and trades, but the payback is well worth the effort.

You might want to consider going foam and aluminum, see
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=66101

[rustytoolss]

My 6.5 x 10ft pop-up frame is easily 350lbs with the wheels. Northern tool 5x8 is 265 lbs. Harbor Freight 4x8 is 165 lbs.

I thought that the Harbor Freight trailer weighed 260 lbs ?

[NateDogg]

I'm considering this also, I have access to a decent popup I may use for another season or two, but eventually may tear it down to build my own. I'm wanting something hard sided instead of the vinyl and was considering building my own trailer. Yesterday this heck of a deal on a popup fell in my lap and now I'm considering my options.

[rustytoolss]

I bought a used 6x7 popup frame this summer that has a torsion axle. Bare frame with out any wood at all weighed 220 lbs. I have extended it to be 9'6"x 6'2" figure That I added about 45 lbs.

[swoody126]

an interesting point that many do not factor in is that the steel in these frames is not the same as that which most folks have available to them @ the local metal yards

it is of greater strength and lighter weight

i forget what they call it, maybe someone here will be able to enlighten us

it is thinner and many of the frames will have holes stamped thru the sections to reduce the weight even more

some folks see this type of frame and are puzzled at it's strength

just pondering out loud...

sw