Tonguebox Questions.

[Micro469]

I just started to build my box, and am wondering if I'm building too light. I'm using 3/8 cheapo ply for the sides, back and bottom. I'm doubling up the bottom, so that gives me 3/4 bottom, the sides will be covered with 1/4 ply.
The size is about 48" long, 13" wide, and 24" high. That gives me about 35" of clear tongue to make turns without hitting the box. It will house my battery, some electrical, and the stuff I don't want to throw on my bed.

Now, do I fasten it against the front of the tear as well as bolt it to the tongue? I was planning to leave a gap between the trailer and the box, but don't know if it will be strong enough as a stand alone.

Any and all opinions will be welcomed, but not all advice will be taken....

[SteveH]

John,

I bolted mine to the tongue and did not attach it to the body of the tear and it has been fine. I used carrage bolts and straps to go around the tongue without drilling holes in the tongue. However, I only carry light stuff in there like folding chairs, ext. cord, blocks, etc. Oh, and mine is basically a 1/2" plywood box covered with aluminum. If it helps, the tongue is the easiest riding part of the trailer.

[pgwilli]

I never concidered the tongue box part of the tear, so I bought an off the shelf ABS unit.


I'm sure I didn't pay $80 for it , delivered.
Rocks bounce off, no finish to worry about, but I have seen much nicer units...with all those concerns

[halfdome, Danny]

My tongue box is 1/2" Baltic Birch with plam interiors and aluminum skin on the outside. I left a slight gap between it and my tear and used two elevator bolts to attach it to the chassis and two screws to the underside of the tear. I didn't want any screws penetrating the box to the tear. I also left a gap like yours on the back for air circulation for the battery. Danny

[tonyj]

Of course you know that if you ask if you are building too light, you are probably overbuilding!

Mine is constructed about the same as yours, attached to both the frame and the tear.