Welded Trailer Design

[Telbone]

Hello guys,

I've had a bit of luck. One of my co-workers has offered to weld me a frame for my teardrop. We decided to do so on Sunday since we're both off. I've been trying to learn the google cad program, but I'm having problems drawing my design on it. I plan on building the generic benroy but in a 5x10 version to help accomodate my bunk system for the kids. I plan on putting the ac, propane tank and battery in a tongue box and I've even thinking of putting one of those cheapo electric safes from HF in there as well for security, so I guess it's gonna need a beefy tongue

It's funny I can find oodles of info on the bolt together frames, but now that I can have it welded I cannot find much technical info. Could be me though, I'm probably looking in the wrong places.

If anyone can offer any suggestions on configuration of the trailer or point me to a thread that deals specifically with welded trailers I'd be most grateful.

I was basically gonna lay out a 5x10 box of angle iron and weld one or two crosspieces to this. For the tongue I was gonna put a thick tow bar(don't know what it'll be of until I see my choices when I go shopping Thurs), then weld two supports in a v to help support the tongue box. I was also gonna put rear stabilizers on it so we're gonna have to weld in tabs. I can look at other trailers and get a basic idea how to do these things, but if I could find a known configuration that would suit my needs I'd rather go with it. I don't want to create a dangerous situation with my inexperience.

Both of our vehicles are v6's, but with gas prices I may get a 4 cylinder next so while weight is not of ultimate concern, I'd rather not build more than I need.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

[stjohn]

I built mine a little backwards built the floor first then turned it upside down
and tacked my frame together my frame came out 1/16 out of square(pretty close in my opion) made it easier cause you can work off the square ply wood its made of 2x2 angle w/crossmember placed on every other floor joist w/a 3x3 square tubing toung I think it will be able to handle anything the roads I will be traveling has to throw at it there are pics in my album if you want to take a look

Hope this helps

Mike

[Telbone]

Thanks stjohn,

I was thinking of going with something similar, though maybe a bit smaller tongue... depends on what I can get. Makes me feel secure in how I want to do it seeing your trailer.

Mark

[Telbone]

I was having probs with the cad programs so heres a crudely done sketch of my thoughts on the trailer design. Sorry for the sloppy handwriting, but some of us were just plain born with chicken scratch for writing:



I hope I did that right. I was gonna weld the frame with the flat sides of the angle down and use that as a mounting surface for my stabilizers and for attaching the spring mount plates.

I was then gonna frame inside the channels created by the iron and put my 3/4" plywood floor on this.

Ideas on exactly placing the axle would be greatly appreciated. It's my biggest concern.

Thanks,
Mark

[mikeschn]

Here's the welded frame I used for the Weekender...

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 0494#60494

Mike...

[asianflava]

This is mine, about as basic as you can get. It's made of 2X2x1/8 square tubing. I ended up shortening the tongue after I found out the final weight. Had I used 2X3 or 3x3 for the tongue it would have been OK.

[bledsoe3]

Telbone, You can see the frame I built here http://tnttt.com/album_ ... ic_id=1991
It's 5' X 8' and close to what you have planned.

[Tripmaker]

Telbone, Sounds like you and I are planning about the same thing. I'm going to build a 5x10 or possibly 5x9'6'. I will most likely go with a bolt together frame for two reasons. one is, I can't weld and don't know anyone that does. Secondly it is easier to buy a trailer with a Certificate of Origin than go through the homemade registration process. Depending on what state you live in the title is a consideration.

[Telbone]

Hey guys,

Tripmaker, I was gonna do the bolt together trailer, but when my buddy offered to weld it for me on Sunday I switched gears bigtime. I followed Mike's link on his frame and I gotta say that I love what Steve Frederick did. Looks to be the perfect frame in my estimation. It especially takes care of the drop down floor. I'm gonna show that picture with Mike's specs to my buddy at work this afternoon and see what he thinks.

Like I emailed someone earlier, I'm almost scared to start building. Everytime I ask for advice, it seems I see something I love and don't want to miss out on any neat stuff.

Anyhow thanks for your responces.

Later,
Mark

ps. I'm not too concerned with the certificate of origin. My neighbor built a boat and they didn't hassle him at all. He saved pictures of the building process for them. They're basically trying to stop stolen vehicles being registered... once they know you built it they tend to loosen up. That being said to save the hassle, I'm going to register it immediately after fabrication, before I build the tear.

[mikeschn]

Hey Telbone,

I had to remove the second crossmember for Steve to use the frame for the Lil Diner.

also Steve had to grind the axle off and reposition it.

that's cause the frame started out as the frame for the Weekender, and we appropriated it for the Lil Diner...

Mike...

[Steve_Cox]

Mark,

Here is yet another welded 5 X 10 frame. 2" X 2" X 11 gauge square tubing for all but the tongue it is 2" X 2" x 1/4" square tubing.

[jay]

any chance we could get a close up of the axle mount?

this looks as uncomplicated and strong as it gets. thanx.

[Steve_Cox]

any chance we could get a close up of the axle mount?

this looks as uncomplicated and strong as it gets. thanx.

Sure Jay,

At least this is as close as I can get to the mount. This is a Flexiride axle and it is bolted directly to the 2" box tubing on my frame.

[Dave Bob]

My Frame is 57" wide and 96" long with a 24 X 40" tongue box.


I will build a sort of cub design which will be around 10' long. The 57" width is because I will be using a sandwich design (3/4 " framing with 1/4" ply on each side and insulation for the walls) to cover the frame. This will leave 1/4" on each side for those slight miscalculations that invaribly creep in.

Dave

[bfree01]

Dave Bob'
That is one fine looking frame!!!!!!!
Like the tire/wheel combo!