Trailer size

[Maple]

Hello all,

Newbie here so this may be a newbie question. I am considering building my own TD and have an option to buy a 4 X 8 or 5 X 8 base trailer. I want to build a 5 X 8 TD. So to build a 5 X 8 TD, would you use / prefer a 5 X 8 trailer or 4 x 8 trailer and build with an overhang and slightly over the wheels?

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,

J

[saltydawg]

At a min you want 5 wide, so 5x8 is a good start. Going to a 5x9 gives more "space" inside for storage, and can make it feel a lot bigger.

[TimC]

Welcome and good building!

I've built three teardrops all with 5x8 bases. I can't tell you first hand how much more work building on a 4x8 would be. I guess I would assume the 5x8 floor/frame build is more involved on a 4x8. There's many folks here that can tell you about that. Is there a trailer base cost reason for going 4x8? I wonder if the savings would be offset by additional time and cost of framing the TD.

My last TD has a 2" overhang on each side to accommodate a full queen width (60" inside cabin width). From a TD standpoint that was easy to do, but required a modification to lengthen the axle which I probably would have done regardless of overhanging or flush walls. Of course I have a talented pipe fitter brother in law to do the heavy work on the axle retrofitting. That work-in-progress build journal is detailed in my signature (build #3).

I'm not sure I gave you much insight into your final design. I just hope maybe it helped come up with some questions you need to answer for yourself.

Tim

[tony.latham]

Me? I wouldn't want to live with wheel wells inside the cabin.

Go with the 5' wide trailer.

Tony

[Maple]

Thanks guys, it seems obvious I should go with a five. My issue is availability. I am in Canada and right now everything is short on supply. I can get a 4 x 8 locally. That said, I may have found a 5x8 but I will have to drive 4-5 hours to get it. In reality, my first thought was to get a 4 x 8 and decide afterwards whether I build a 4 X 8 TD or 5 x 8 on it.

[gudmund]

one of the hassles with having a 4x8, it is finding a mattress. A 5x8 = no problem being a queen size fits just fine..... a 4 foot wide mattress is not a 'common' size. There are 30 & 38 inch wide ones and after that, sizes jump up to 'full' size which is something like 54 in wide, than comes queen size at 60 in wide. (and yes, some 6ft wide teardrops are out there also = King sized mattress) So with a 4x8 you end up having to have a custom made mattress made or you end up buying a full/queen and figuring out how to cut it to fit. This all is being said here from experience being my first one was a 4x8 to start with and found this all out when researching mattresses. Now I have a 5x8 and it was so much easier finding one, in fact I am using 2 30inch wide 'RV bunk bed mattresses' in mine = fit great! and they are so much easier "loading/unloading" in/out of the trailer than even a queen size, being they are 2 separate pieces. (found them at Camping World - Denver Mattress brand $300+each list for less than $95 each on a close out deal a couple of years ago) There are some '4.5'w x8or9ft teardrops out there which would give you a 'full' size width mattress with the 54 inch width (4.5ft).
And as I have read here 'many-a-time' - you will read how someone 'wishes' they had bought a 5x8 to start with "BUT" never that they wish it had been a 4x8 instead .....................

[QueticoBill]

Been following this. Are you planning for sleeping 1 or 2 ? And do you have any tow vehicle limits and/or trailer storage limits?

[tony.latham]

are no problem in 4 wides single bed fits them with room...

Our first 'drop was a 4'-wide. They are tight for two.





Tony

[MickinOz]

Here in Oz, the 54 inch wide mattress is a standard "double". The 60 is a "queen" same as the states. But a 1200 mm wide mattress, about 47.2 inches, is a readily available size too. We just ask for a "caravan double". But, no way would I have one, unless I was specifically looking at a one man design.
I guess that a 4 wide could be called a 2 person proposition if we were all still 20 years old, but I'm carrying an extra 40 years of living, and so is the missus.
On the other hand, my frame was just right for a real double with the wall panels screwed to the sides of the frame rails. I might have settled for that if I hadn't promised her a queen bed.

[S. Heisley]

5x8'

[saywhatthat]

tape out the sides on the floor see what you can live with . we gone for a double 57'' to outside wall tracks behind most cars

[2bits]

You mention trailers are hard to come by but how about materials and a decent local welder? If your going to design and build a teardrop might as well start with designing and building the frame! Having FULL control sets you free to run wild. Yes, more expensive but worth it. Do you have a local swap and shop/flea market/secondary sales access up there? Down here old boat trailers go for peanuts and are a great foundation depending on your taxing authorities grip on the family jewels.

[MickinOz]

more expensive but worth it.

I agree.

Aussie experience:

Ebay seller Huntsman products:
750 kg trailer kit axle, slipper springs, hitch, u-bolts, spring mounts, hubs bearings, etc. Everything except the actual frame -$270 delivered.
Two 14 x 6 wheels and light truck tyres $226 delivered.
Mudguards $77
Safety chain $25

A mate just bought enough 2mm x 75 x 50 steel for his 5 x 9 for about $400. He told me exact price but I can't remember it.
Another mate, Apprentice of the Year back in the day, welded it together for $175 (3.5 hours x $50)
Paint $50
Compliant lighting kit $70
$1293

Carlex Easy Trailer 8x5, looks like a Northern Tools Ironton trailer.
12 inch wheels, bolt together.
$1124 delivered.

That's $1002 US compared to $871

So yeah, its more expensive, but only bu about 15%. Totally worth it just to have custom dimensions, 14 inch tyres and rectangular tube instead of c-channel.

[QueticoBill]

That carlex is probably better than ironton, which is US$550 now for 5 x 8 versus US$450 for 4 x 8.

Unless you have the tools and skills to cur, weld, machine, and paint steel yourself, hard to imagine it being near the cost of buying an Ironton or similar, even modifying and replacing axel, hubs, wheels, and tires. Not to mention the whole title registration thing.

[Maple]

Well, after reviewing your comments and thinking about it I decided to go with the 5 X 8. I paid $1000 CDN including jack and taxes. Not cheap but the 4 X 8 was only 125$ CDN less. I drove 400 kms to pick it up. Two hours each way. Excited about the new project. Thanks for your help. I will start a new thread with a few other questions later.