Stupid Build Question

[Johnnycat]

OK, here is a dumb question.

For a 4x8 TD, the overall length is longer than 8'...right?

Because you need to add in the extra length for the radius front which extends farther than the 8' trailer.

Is my thinking right?

Thanks

John

[Gage]

Yes and no. The extra lenght is becaus you need at least 2 feet for the tongue. The box will still be 8 feet reguardless of shape. Although the floor may be something less than 8 feet. Depends on how much over hang you have up front. As an example, mine is 10 feet but the floor is only 9 feet. That is one reason you don't see to many 4x8's with an over hang up front.

[Micro469]

There are NO stupid questions on this forum..........

BUT... a four by eight tear is the size of the box.... not the trailer. The sides are approx 4' high and 8' long

You can build a 4x8 tear on a smaller trailer if you want.

[fornesto]

If you just consider the body, a 4'x8' sheet of plywood makes up each sidewall. That said, the absoulute maximum length is 8'. Depending on the profile you choose, the interior length and overall volume will get smaller. I would estimate a loss of volume of 20-30% vs. the full 4'x8' sheet. I believe most people refer to the size of the sheet that they started with.

I jumped up to a 4'x10' sheet so I could have a little bit more agressive curves and still have more volume.

You're question might be referring to a 4' x 8' trailer, onto which a larger trailer body is mounted.

[exminnesotaboy]

I started with a 4'x8' trailer and cut off about 5 inches off the rear to allow for the front radius and still allow myself to use a 8' sheet

[martha24]

Johnnycat,
It kind of depends on how you design your trailer and if you wish to use a 4'x8' piece of plywood. Some people add a piece to create a little longer length. It really depends on what you want. My profile is based on an older style, so neither my front or back go past the trailer frame and it is cut from a 4'x8' piece of plywood. This picture is a mock up of my profile cut out of cheap 1/4" material while I was working out the profile helping me figure out what I was doing before I cut the actual plywood.

My suggestion would be to decide your profile and go from there. Many people also work with Baltic Birch plywood for their sides. Generally it comes in 5'x5' pieces, only 1/2" comes in 4'x8'. I also don't know if you plan to have just a solid piece of plywood for walls or insulate them as many outside of California do. With homebuilt trailers they all vary one from another, so it just depends on what suits you. That's part of the fun.
People on this forum are good at helping you figure out how to do what you want.
Martha

[b.bodemer]

Johnnycat,

My profile is very similar to Martha's and I also used one sheet of 4' x 8' starting from the front of the trailer bed to the rear.





Hope the pics help.

Barb

[bobhenry]

OK, here is a dumb question.

For a 4x8 TD, the overall length is longer than 8'...right?

Because you need to add in the extra length for the radius front which extends farther than the 8' trailer.

Is my thinking right?

Thanks

John

Eggbert my 3'x3'x5'6"motorcycle tear is on a 4'6" floor but measures 5'6" even with his bobbed tail. There are many on the board that don't like the semi circular front but it appeals to me. On a 4x8 tear you can gain 2' with this profile providing your tongue is long enough. You do lose some sleeping " floor " area which is the biggest complaint. I have just purchased a 4x8 harbor freight frame off of ebay with parts missing all I will be using is the center frame over the axle and the tongue asssembly. My new steel frame will be 5' by 7'5 but the body will be 5'w 5'6"h and 10'6" in length.

[Johnnycat]

Thanks guys,

I was thinking more of a radius design like bob's, but now I see how a 4 x 8 would work.

Thanks!

John