Frame Tutorial

[Nitetimes]

Well here it is. The thing everyone has been asking about for so looooong. (seems like it anyway)




Doug and I have finally put the finishing touches on the Frame Building Tutorial, with some editing help from Steve (sdtripper2).

If you'd like to take a look it's here http://www.teardroptrailers.us/Trailer.html.

Keep in mind that this is not a set of plans for building a frame because everyones needs tend to be different. It is just intended to give you a basic working knowledge of how to figure out your frame dimensions and the process of putting it together.
We will probably be adding information to it in the form of updates from time to time. If there is an update added it will be mentioned on the site and probably here too.
I'm sure Doug will comment here when he gets back.

Let's have all your comments and questions. Please try to keep it civil tho Remember, neither of us are writers.

[mikeschn]

Rich and Doug,

Thank you so much for that tutorial. I'll be adding you to the menu if that's okay with you!

Mike...

[Nitetimes]

Add away Mike.

Just hoping it will help some people out.



.

[madjack]

...excellent job...Y'ALL...it should give a good view to what is needed to come up with a custom built frame...a tip of the ol' hat to ya both
madjack

[apratt]

Great job Rich and Doug. This makes a good starting place for building a trailer frame even if it not the way you want it, you can always modified from it.

[doug hodder]

It is a good faith effort to document building a frame...it's hard to think of all the little details but we made an effort. If anyone wants to document the use of the torsion axle please take photos and put it into a script that we can add. This is only what we built...hope it's of some help...Doug

[bdosborn]

Thanks guys, this will help me a lot. I'm gonna print it and add it to my Teardrop Manual library I've been collecting.

Bruce

[angib]

Excellent work, guys. Very public-spirited and helpful.

Andrew

[doug hodder]

Thanks for helping out Steve, you were a very big help and it was appreciated... doug

[Lazybones]

Nice job guys!! I'm sure this will help many a teardop builder.

[Classic Finn]

But is that tutorial Eu Approved the hitch dont have the lil letter E stamped on it...

Very nice ....

Classic Finn

[brian_bp]

Great resource!

I do have one minor note: according to the Dexter Axle, the meaning of overslung and underslung in the tutorial are reversed (the adjective is normally used to describe the location of the springs, rather than the axle).

[KA]

Thank you for taking the time to do this tutorial. It is very helpful.
Kris

[doug hodder]

Just a quick follow up to the frame tutorial....the frame that was built in this tutorial just completed 3000 mile round trip to Minden....prior to that, only 10 miles in town to DMV....It towed very well, and the springs were just right for the total weight of 960 without a full cooler...nothing other than a bottle in the cabinet tipped...No problems with it and towing speeds were as high as 85 MPH...a very strong frame for the weight and the longer tongue makes it easy to back up...Doug

[Esteban]

Here are some good resources to help you design a trailer frame and tongue:

1) DIY Frame Building...preferred materials...discussion with pictures

2) Andrew's Tongue Strength & Design Information from up above in the Design Library. It has charts showing the weight and strength of common metal shapes often used for trailer frames and tongues. It's worth printing out as a handy reference to help you design your trailer frame and tongue.

3) Andrew's Trailer Balance Spreadsheet from up above in the the Design Library.

4) Mike's A-Frame Tongue Length & Width Chart with follow up discussion.



BTW, after learning from the above my 5'x10' frame has a 48" long A-Frame tongue built from 2"x3"x1/8" rectangular tubing which seemed like a sweet spot for strength vs. weight. The frame is built from 2"x2"x1/8" square tubing with 2"x2"x1/8" Ls for cross pieces on roughly 2' centers to match up with joints in the plywood floor.