Budget Off Road Trailer

[not4wrk]

Hi to all. I've been planning & looking at Tear drops for over a year now & things are finally coming together. Got my trailer a few days ago (for free) cleaned it up, flipped the axle to under the leaf springs for more ground clearance. I have looking at the weekender & the desert dawg for ideas. I think mine will be a comb of both with afew ideas of my own. Will keep everyone up to date on progress & lots of pictures (for Madjack). The sawdust starts this weekend.

[Sonetpro]

not4wrk
Welcome to the forum. Now that's the way to start this new section.
A newbie starting a offroad in a few days. Looks like you got a good frame to start with.

[PaulC]

Welcome to the madness not4wrk. Good looking chassis. That looks like it has a drop axle fitted so I would be careful with using it as the pic seems to show with it fitted under the springs. Having the drop in the down position versus the up will tend to exert more leverage on your suspension. Maybe the engineering people can shed more light on it.

Cheers
Paul

[jagular7]

Good start on the framing. A-frame will add lots of structure to that front. But still using a ball mount? How about those outriggers below the frame. I though they would be even or on top. But alas, I guess it'll depend on if you will have a belly trunk or not.

Not sure, but I would be leary of turning a drop axle over to gain height. Most straight axles can have above or below leaf mounts. But the straight axle will have a bow in it. The bow is for the settling of the weight on the trailer. When you flip the bow is no longer geometrically correct. I'm pretty sure any length axle is the same in a trailer configuration.

Ever seen a flat bed tractor trailer, especially the aluminum frames. They bow up and will settle down with weight. Same principle.

[Nitetimes]

Yep, what they /\ /\ /\ said, that axle is not designed to be used in that position. You will break it in short order. Drop axles really shouldn't be used for offroad apps, they won't take the abuse you can put them thru in the rough stuff. That axle is made to lower the trailer not raise it.

[PaulC]

With an offroad trailer, I always recommend an axle that is rated at twice the weight of your Trailer. I have a 3000lb rated trailer on mine, connected to 2000 lb rated springs. Better overkill rather than broken down in the scrub.
Cheers
Paul

[not4wrk]

Well the trailer is now history & the whole project is being scarped thanks to all the negitive feedback, back to tent campimg.

[madjack]

Well the trailer is now history & the whole project is being scarped thanks to all the negitive feedback, back to tent campimg.

...I hope you really don't feel as you sound...the feedback wasn't negative, it was constructive and offered with your saftey and comfort in mind...the frame is a good one and a spring hung axle to go with it is a relatively inexpensive investment. WEALLHOPE you wil continue on with your build....
madjack

[Miriam C.]

Well the trailer is now history & the whole project is being scarped thanks to all the negitive feedback, back to tent campimg.

...I hope you really don't feel as you sound...the feedback wasn't negative, it was constructive and offered with your saftey and comfort in mind...the frame is a good one and a spring hung axle to go with it is a relatively inexpensive investment. WEALLHOPE you wil continue on with your build....
madjack

Ditto. I was looking forward to watching this come to life.

Some suggestions: check out the junk, uh salvage yards for a stronger axle.

What type of off roading are you doing? I take my Nissan Sentra in some rather rough places.

Change can be fun. Think of it as learning.
Aunti M

[Juneaudave]

I agree with MJ and Auntie M....you are off to a good start. Shucks...I've been fussing with a trailer for months, and most recently had some input on my welding capabilities (all of which were true but hard to swallow!!!). I'm trying to take that advice and make my Tear-2-B as good as I can do it. I do admire your creativeness, willingness to do it yourself, and hope you continue.

[PaulC]

not4wrk, One of the things I discovered when planning my build was this forum. I spent many hours lurking and researching before diving in and asking questions. Some of the feedback was contrary to what I was thinking and I ignored it. I am happy with the end result and you can be too, if you think that trailer will work, and I can see no reason why it would not.
I hope you reconsider and come back on board. There is nothing quite like being out bush in a TD.
Cheers
Paul

[not4wrk]

Trailer went to the junk yard yesterday. Tent here I come.

[PaulC]

Trailer went to the junk yard yesterday. Tent here I come.

Looks like you've made a choice. Sorry to see you go

Cheers
Paul

[jay]

"... a man has to know his limits..."

Dirty Harry

[PresTx82]

I couldn't resist.