Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Ira** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:51 pm

Gonna take either Thursday or Friday off for a full day of work on The Crab while it's at home this week and not at the boatyard. Plus, I have the whole weekend as well.

I gotta rebuild my tongue box which I smashed trying to back it in, and I figured I would keep it full width, but reduce the depth.

With a large lid that opens while the AC is operating, can you guys think of any reason why just 2 or 3 inches deeper than the AC extending out would cause problems?

And any other suggestions as a way to go?

As I long as I radically shorten the depth, I don't see the need for a design where I would be following the contours of the tongue.

by **halfdome, Danny** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:18 pm

Ira, Draw with your eye an imaginary line from the front corner of your tear to the hitch. Anything on the outside of that line is in the danger area of being crushed while backing or making tight turns. When I was figuring out my tongue box I jack knifed my trailer as hard as possible and then took measurements between the TD & tow vehicle and went from there. I hope this helps in making your decision.

Danny

by **Ira** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:23 pm

halfdome, Danny wrote:When I was figuring out my tongue box I jack knifed my trailer as hard as possible and then took measurements between the TD & tow vehicle and went from there. I hope this helps in making your decision. Danny

I'm a dope, so it doesn't help much.

by **Gage** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:29 pm

Think about extending your tongue. That'll help and also make it easier to back the teardrop. Nothing wrong with a long tongue. On the teardrop that is.

by **madjack** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:30 pm

Ira, to keep this from ever happening in the furture, I would give serious consideration to building a box similar to what MaryK has built for hers..and a probable yes to your question about the AC.....
madjack

by **Ira** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:37 pm

Thanks, guys.

Gage, you know my skill level and my timeframe for Anastasia, so I can't see that happening. Plus, with a longbed truck and this tiny TD, it looks ridiculous towing as it is.

So Jack, I guess Mary's design it is--but I just may go longer while still following the lines of the tongue. Is this the kosher plan?

It's not like I NEED a big tongue box for storage, cause of the truck, but it would be nice to have..

But if I follow Mary's design, do I have to recess it like 1/4", 1/2" in from the outside edge of the channel? So if my truck goes boom into it again, it'll be tucked away from my lousy driving?

by **madjack** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:05 pm

Ira, build it a deep as ya want and follow a line from the corner of your tear to the coupler...and never forget what has happened when backing...remember if it gets close to stop and start over or just get out and push it into place!!!!!!!!!!!
madjack

by **TRAIL-OF-TEARS** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:07 pm

Ira, if you do make your tbox shorter and only leave 2" clear behind the A/C you might have problems like MJ said but you could add a vent to it like I have for my A/C

Just make sure you seperate the intake that is on the side of the A/C with the exhaust at the rear. This will keep the A/C from sucking the hot air back thru the coil and over heating. I added a vent to the bottom of the tear so it can draw cool air thru the coil.

by **Ira** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:31 pm

madjack wrote:Remember if it gets close to stop and start over or just get out and push it into place!!!

If I'm drinking, I don't have the judgment to tell if I'm too close nor the strength to push it.

And you gotta understand:

We're not talking about me destroying this box trying to get into a tight space. You could have driven a MAC TRUCK through the space I had.

I know--I'm a disgrace to the male gender. (As far as driving goes, anyway.)

by **Classic Finn** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:52 pm

Ira weve got faith in you... You can do it...Go Ira Go...Maybe them Crabs have grown too big on the side of the box?? :lol:

Classic Finn

by **Classic Finn** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:53 pm

Gage wrote:Think about extending your tongue. That'll help and also make it easier to back the teardrop. Nothing wrong with a long tongue. On the teardrop that is.

On the Teardrop that is.. :lol:

Classic Finn

by **madjack** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:57 pm

Classic Finn wrote:
Gage wrote:Think about extending your tongue. That'll help and also make it easier to back the teardrop. Nothing wrong with a long tongue. On the teardrop that is.

On the Teardrop that is..

Classic Finn

...there is nothing wrong with a long tongue...period...(or so my wife(aka "the poor girl") sez)...of course proper bracing is a must in most cases.........
madjack

by **Nitetimes** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:01 pm

madjack wrote:
Classic Finn wrote:
Gage wrote:Think about extending your tongue. That'll help and also make it easier to back the teardrop. Nothing wrong with a long tongue. On the teardrop that is.

On the Teardrop that is..

Classic Finn

...there is nothing wrong with a long tongue...period...(or so my wife(aka "the poor girl") sez)...of course proper bracing is a must in most cases.........
madjack