I don`t know how it happend, was surfing the WWW, landed here and now i got this virus called "teardrop". Maybe its this over-fourty-thing, like a member of this forum mentioned, tenting is nice but a real bed is more comfortable.
First of all: Please find excuses for my humbling english, my native language is, of course, german. Even if you understand the content, there may be a cause for misunderstandings. It is not easy to be polite in a foreign language, especially if you don`t have any practise. I appreciate the nice mood here, and i don`t want to disturb it. So please, PLEASE tell me when i fail.
My plan is to build a lightweight trailer. I have to, because my tow-vehicle is a small hatchback, rated to only 660lbs for trailers witout brake.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Pride
Obviously i won`t get a save and fast ride with a heavy trailer...
Now i try to enter my personal gallery to provide you with pictures for explanation. Maybe its the best way to prevent pictures from getting lost by broken links.
Most things are better to tell with pictures...
Ok, done
I read this thread with great interest:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=7275&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=superleggera&start=30
There the question occured how to connect the torsion axle with the tongue:
and this is the missing link:
In Germany i have no choice. The only way to build a frame is to buy a torsion axle -witch has to be type approved- and to buy a tongue with already fixed coupler -also type approved-. To build a tongue from stock-iron is not possible, exept you get it type approved, and that is a very expensive procedure. So i choose an axle, choose a tongue and put it together with that clamping shell. To connect the pulling force it is necessary to drill a hole trough the shell and the tongue, and to put a screw in, or to weld the tongue to one part of the shell, but never around the tube, always lengthwise. The axle ist only hold by clamping. German authorities are very afraid of weakening weldings. Same with the part that holds the tongue at the trailer:
You are allowed to weld it to the tonge, but then you have to derate the tongue. So they recommend clamping only.
So i bought:
rubber torsion axle, type approved for 1100lbs, weight about 45lbs
clamping shell, about 2,5lbs
tongue, type approved for 165lbs hitch weight, 45lbs
tongue support, 2lbs
wheels 4.00x8, 25lbs
I will provide you with the exact weights and a photo when the parts are here.
I wonder if Dexter has such clamping shells too?
Next step is the frame. The german authoritys like steel. I tried to find out if i can, and what i can build from wood. But im not far with this research. It is even not shure if i`m allowed to build a woody. "Splinter protection approval" that`s what i have to bring for road safety.
So the next really necessery step is to consult the TÜV. TÜV, that`s, i think, a german speciality. It`s an assicoation of academic grade engineers, formerly founded to check steam boilers. And that`s what they are able to: Putting air pressure on steam boilers - bang or not. But they decide what is NOT going to the road. And I have to give proof of suitibility for road use. Maybe i have to obtain a complete static calculation of the whole teardrop, to substanciate the safety. So i pay for an external engineer who tells the TÜV engineer... no fun...
So far, i`ll keep you updated.
Greetings, Bernd
)
Mark (& Cindi) 
