New construction

[breiman]

Getting ready to start! In reviewing some pics, it appears that some TDs were constructed off the trailer instead of on it. How heavy is a 4X8 "cubby" shell using traditional stock? ie 3/4 walls floor etc.

I was thinking about getting floor,walls put together and square and then mount it to trailer. Not sure of weight.

Bill Reiman
Indianapolis

[Miriam C.]

Bill
Welcome to the playhouse. How much it weighs only counts if you plan on picking it up.

All jokes aside if you read through the builds you will find there is a range but not a standard weight. Even if you build two the same they would be different because of the moisture in the wood.

Here's a useful URL for estimating wood weights.
http://www.boulterplywood.com/

I think people are using jacks to get the tear on the trailer later.
Good lu[/url]

[breiman]

Thanks M. I was mostly concerned if the walls and floor could be assembled and then picked up and mounted to the trailer. I seems it would be an easier build on the floor.

Second question, you have been on here awhile, do you know of anyone that has made a TD that is removable from the trailer frame. I posted this question in the construction thread.

Bill Reiman
Indianapolis

[stjohn]

If you look at pages 3,4,5 of my album you will see thats the way I did it bbuilt my floor and sides first then turned it up side down and tacked the frame together in place then seet it down welded it up as far as weight me and my son put it on the trailer just the two of us hope this helps

Mike

[steve wolverton]

Getting ready to start! In reviewing some pics, it appears that some TDs were constructed off the trailer instead of on it. How heavy is a 4X8 "cubby" shell using traditional stock? ie 3/4 walls floor etc.

Approx weights:

3/4" plywood = 75 lbs
1/2" plywood = 50 lbs
1/4" plywood = 25 lbs

These are ballpark figures per 4x8 sheet. Should give you an idea of the weight involved.

[Miriam C.]

Thanks M. I was mostly concerned if the walls and floor could be assembled and then picked up and mounted to the trailer. I seems it would be an easier build on the floor.

Bill I can't lift a 3/4 sheet of ply off the floor. I made my big camper on the trailer. It was easier for me. I used the floor as a work bench.

If you like bending over a bunch you can build it on the floor but put something under it so you aren't trying to get your fingers under something that is a couple of hundred pounds.

How light do you want it. Roly's 1/4 Nelson is 245#. My bigggy is about 1200. I have about 500# of wood in it.

Second question, you have been on here awhile, do you know of anyone that has made a TD that is removable from the trailer frame. I posted this question in the construction thread.

Bill Reiman
Indianapolis

I don't know anyone who has finished one off hand. There are at least two on the internet. I ran across them in Feb. while I was looking around.

There is no real good reason you can't make a removable. You can use bolts and nuts on the floor and even sleeve the holes if needed. Or have a double floor. I put my floor on with T-nuts and it unbolts from the bottom if I want. Technically most teardrops are removable. Some are put on with screws and they would be a problem/

[asianflava]

I've been looking at everybody's trailer weights for a while now. It looks like

4X8 ~ 600lbs-800lbs

5X10 ~ 1100lbs-1300lbs

Of course you'll get the occasional heavyweight or lightweight. It all depends on how elaborate you get.

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

hello Bill,
I built the body of my tear off of the frame. I moved the body (less roof and doors) onto the frame by my self, with some help it could be done no problem. My tears body could be removed from the frame All I have to do is loosen 6 bolts and it would lift right off. By the way It is a 5x8 with 3/4" ply walls and just 1/2" ply floor.

[dwgriff1]

It shouldn't be too tricky to build a small cabin that would easily move off the frame. The larger the box, the heavier and more awkward it would be to move. But even that could be done with a hoist of some sort.

Wasn't it Roly who build a "stacker" that was designed to roll into the garage and then roll back on it's back side. At some point it could come off the frame.

Rather than have a good multiple purpose trailer, I collect them: 4 right now.

Of course I am planning on building another tear!

dave