Trailer Question for camper

[cambi]

Hello everyone,
I am a newbie here. I have been wanting to buy or build a Travel Trailer for quite some time now and I'm finally going to take the plunge! Here at work we have a 7x12 trailer for sale, they said I can have it for $200. Is this too big for building a travel trailer if not where can I find some plans for the construction phase? Any and all information will be greatly appreciated!!!

[bobhenry]

depends what you are towing with

[cambi]

Towing shouldn't be a problem. I have a 2006 f-150 at my disposal, I also have family with a dura-max diesel (if needed). I didn't want to get too crazy with my first build. Did you design yours or did you have plans you got somewhere?

[Dean_A]

It's not too big for a travel trailer. The only question is, do you WANT a 7'x12' trailer? It's purely a matter of personal preference. Most of the plans you will find here and elsewhere can be scaled up with some minor modification. Basically most of these trailers are just wooden boxes on metal frames.
I would sit down and think about what you need in a trailer, and how you plan to use it. Then draw up a sketch or two to help visualize it. That should give you an idea of the size you need. Most of the teardrops you'll see here are somewhere between 4'x8' and 5'x10'. "Standees" (a trailer you can stand up in) tend to be a little larger.
Don't let a cheap trailer dictate the size if it's not really what you want. You'll just end up building it again later.
Good luck, and welcome!

[cambi]

My fiance and I have checked them out at Gander Mountain. Honestly the 4x8 is too small and I don't really think that a 5x8 would be that much more spacious. This trailer is a little longer than I like, but maybe I will be able to put in a nice sized grill and storage area. I also have to take into consideration that I will need a place for my two doggies.. I do appreciate your input of your ideas and will keep them for consideration. I would like to find a place where I can look at plans and kind of pick and choose what I want and trick it out my way.

[Dean_A]

My fiance and I have checked them out at Gander Mountain. Honestly the 4x8 is too small and I don't really think that a 5x8 would be that much more spacious. This trailer is a little longer than I like, but maybe I will be able to put in a nice sized grill and storage area. I also have to take into consideration that I will need a place for my two doggies.. I do appreciate your input of your ideas and will keep them for consideration. I would like to find a place where I can look at plans and kind of pick and choose what I want and trick it out my way.

Check out the links above for interesting ideas/plans.

[bobhenry]

Towing shouldn't be a problem. I have a 2006 f-150 at my disposal, I also have family with a dura-max diesel (if needed). I didn't want to get too crazy with my first build. Did you design yours or did you have plans you got somewhere?

The pic is off of www.maxitear or just type in maxitear. He has a build diary that is pretty thorough. A bit ambitious for a first build though.

have you decided if the 7x12 will be a standie or simply a larger teardrop

my tear is 5'7" by 9' 6" so you are very close to that! I could us 2 more feet in length for a real nice tongue box.

[cambi]

My plan was to have a larger version of the TD. I like the designs of the TD and would like to "upscale" it. Like I mentioned before the 4x8 is just too small, so I figured that i could use about 10' of the trailer and do what you were talking about by having a nice tounge box. I have found that finding plans is probably the hardest part for me so far. I have looked at some of the links in this forum, but there are not really any measurements. All I'm really looking for is just measurements for the "shell" so I can get the TD design and make sure it is nice and sturdy.

[Robin Bobula]

You could check out Rob's Cabin Car -- I think the dimensions are close to the trailer you are considering.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v284/ ... 20project/

Also, Mike's Generic ET may be about the size you're looking for, but I'm not sure of the measurements. I don't think his is 7' wide, but you could modify.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... generic+et

I've got an old pop-up frame, am still trying to decide on a design, too.

Good luck, and keep us posted!
Robin

[cuyeda]

What Dean_A said... Do you WANT a large trailer considering today's gas prices? One of my favorite build plans is Steve Frederick's Rondack Lodge.
Pictures of project here.

The frame will be 78" wide by 11' long with a 4' long tongue.
The body will be 80" by 13'.

The alternative would be to look for a good used travel trailer with all the creature comforts built in already. I've seen some good deals lately. Some people are downsizing the toy factor to keep up with the inflations.

P.S. Perhaps I may be missing something. Is the 7x12 frame dimension including the tongue? Is it single or dual axle?

[cambi]

I don't mind a large trailer, the way I see it gas prices are not going to budge and I will need gas regardless. After looking and researching TD's & TTT I want a larger one. The frame measurements I gave was just the "utility" part I think the tounge is about 3-4' and it is a dual axle. I think they may have had someone change it to a double axle after they bought the trailer. It was used as a fire training trailer they would put chemicals, gas, kerosene, etc in a pan and set it on fire, they would then give demonstration on how to properly put out a fire with a fire extinguisher. After they added all the extra weight I think they realized they needed a dual axle trailer. Now that I have it at home the demo is going to start and I will probably be stripping off a lot of excess weight.