Frame Report After 12K miles

[SteveH]

Way back in November of '04 when I started building my trailer, I reported in this thread: http://tnttt.com/viewto ... highlight= I was building the frame from 2" X 1/4" angle iron. There were several folks on the forum that had...lets just say they had lots of "concerns" about the strength of an angle iron frame. I am happy to report that after almost two years of use and over 12,000 miles of travel, there have been absolutely zero issues with the frame, or any other part of the teardrop structure, for that matter. I am here to testify that 2" angle is plenty strong for the frame of a teardrop trailer, again IMHO.

[madjack]

...that is good to hear Steve...during my time here, I have come to believe that we severely overbuild our frames...a frame such as on Mikes UltraLite or Freds new AlaskaLite design, is more in line with what we are building....
madjack

[SteveH]

Yes Jack, and after seeing a CampInn frame a year or so ago, even my frame is about four times as strong (read HEAVY) as it needs to be.

By the way, if anyone is interested, there are pictures of my frame in my album.

[bledsoe3]

Thanks for that update. IF I ever build another, I'll be doing it lighter.

[angib]

Yes Jack, and after seeing a CampInn frame a year or so ago, even my frame is about four times as strong (read HEAVY) as it needs to be.

Can anyone say that the Camp-Inn frame is definitely 2" x 2" x 1/8" angle? And can someone say what the distance is from the front of the body to the centre of the ball?

I seem to remember Cary saying they once had a 3/16" thick option for 'off-road' use - but that infomation has travelled through the filter of my memory....

Andrew

[SteveH]

Andrew,

I've seen the CampInn frame, and yes, it is definately 2" X 2" X 1/8" angle, and it has a very minimal number of cross members...like two if I remember right. The V tongue, also angle, is butt welded on at the junction of the side pieces and the front cross member.

[jdarkoregon]

SteveH

Thanks for the report, When I build a single axle tear, it will be light and your information about the material of the frame will be very comforting.

thanks again

John

[angib]

One comment I'd make on Steve's frame is to point out that he's using 2"x2"x1/4" angle - and this is twice as strong as 2"x2"x1/8" angle. We don't want anyone to go thinking that all 2" angles are the same.

It's also worth adding that the 2"x2"x1/4" angle Steve is using is actually heavier than the 2"x2"x1/8" square tube that other folks have used.

As well as what it's made from, the length of the tongue matters a lot in its strength - the longer the tongue, the stronger it needs to be.

Andrew

[Cary Winch]

Andrew,

Your memory is not as filled with cobwebs as you think. We did have a extreme off road frame that was 3/16" thick. But it was also 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" angle rather than 2". Those were very heavy and very strong. Otherwise we use the 2 x 2 x 1/8". The Raindrop is a different beast though, we add in tensional members to give it some box strength. Just steel rod and is a great light weight solution. You'll have to see on some time.

Cary

[alaska teardrop]

It might also be pointed out that the 2"x2"x1/8" sq. tube is about 2 1/2 times stronger than the 2"x2"x1/4" angle. And that it allows more end area for stronger less flexible welds.

Like others, I designed my first TD before coming upon Mike's T&TTT and had searched for some kind of chassis standards without success. Although I can say that the overall trailer is light, the frame could have been considerably lighter.

Since that time Paul C from Australia supplied the Australian Government Regulations and Andrew from England explained the standards here: http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear84.htm

So, thankyou Mike, Paul & Andrew. We now have a realistic way of comparison and design standard.

[bledsoe3]

Andrew,

Your memory is not as filled with cobwebs as you think. We did have a extreme off road frame that was 3/16" thick. But it was also 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" angle rather than 2". Those were very heavy and very strong. Otherwise we use the 2 x 2 x 1/8". The Raindrop is a different beast though, we add in tensional members to give it some box strength. Just steel rod and is a great light weight solution. You'll have to see on some time.

Cary

Cary, That's 2" X 2" X 1/8" angle right?

[Cary Winch]

Yup, that is angle.

Cary

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

Sorry to respond so late. But we just got back from a 2000 mile trip to Colorado. I have about 9000 miles on my tear and it was built with 2x2x1/4" angle set up very close to the Camp-Inn style. This trip the tear was very heavily loaded about 1600lbs total and most of the weight was in front of the axle. I am happy to report we had no problems on this trip.