dsotto wrote:
I'm not knowledgeable in anything steel related and don't know how to design one. It's our first build and HF doesnt do trailers anymore so I'm looking at the 4x8 at northern tool for $400 and will upgrade the tires. Maybe I'll make some calls on getting a trailer built tomorrow but I just want some simple (that's going to be safe at 60mph on hwy) that isn't too overwhelming! Thank you for your recommendations!
I tried in vain to find a link to a particular trailer build with a good plan for a trailer frame. I'm frustrated that I couldn't find, and share, the particular one that has an excellent plan you could have used for inspiration. This
Tongue Strength information can help. It's linked to from the Design Resources in the top header of tnttt.com. Either an A-Frame or a Composite tongue are stronger than a Single Tongue. A-Frame and Composite tongues also provide good support for a tongue box.
Briefly my trailer frame was built 61" wide by 117" long with a 48" long A-Frame tongue. The outside was made from 2" x 2" x 1/8" (11 gauge) square steel tubing with mitered corners. Interior cross supports on 2' center were made from 2" x 2" x 1/8" L shaped steel. The A-Frame tongue was (over)built with 3" x 2" x 1/8" rectangular steel tubing.
I used a Dexter #9 torsion axle with electric brakes. Currently I'd favor using a
2000# Flexiride axle derated to 1500 or 1750 lbs., with electric brakes.
Trailer Frame Building Tutorial (33 page pdf) Doug Hodder was one of the authors of this excellent tutorial.
Fort Worth metal fabricators Yelp links to Fort Worth area metal fabricators
Fort Worth metal suppliers recstuff.com fenders (hard to find sizes that fit a teardrop trailer), tires, and wheels
southwestwheel.com trailer parts supplier
campingclassics.com Steve Frederick's teardrop trailer Builders Manual is very useful. His inside out method is a good back and time saver.
campingclassics.com/Gallerytnttt.com/Design_Library/Design_Library many profiles of teardrop trailers
Tongue Strength useful information for designing a trailer tongue
Simple Tongue Strength TablePerfect TD by Duane King