Buy? Build? Steel? Wood?

[Franklin]

I have been looking over and over the information and we are trying to decide on a frame. We saw one of the 4 x 8 at our local Tractor Supply and it was badly bent so that was sort of a turn off even though I don't know what horrible thing happened to it. For the Glen-L Sequoia you use a 4 x 8 (then you have to add an addition to the front and rear since the trailer is 5'9" wide and 10'8" long. The trailer weight is supposed to come in at around 1,000 lbs, hopefully anyway. Now I am wondering if using wood and building a frame wouldn't just make more sense. We had the top of the line Fleetwood popup trailer (one of the longer ones and 1700 lbs empty) and the roof warped 3 times under warranty and I always thought the frame must have been bent which may or may not make sense. - We got lucky with the trailer since someone pulled it from our yard (hitch lock in place) and took it. The police department found it but it became evidence and they couldn't find the guy that took it (he had other warrants against him) so the insurance paid out on it. So, wood? Thanks, Cathy

[planovet]

We got lucky with the trailer since someone pulled it from our yard (hitch lock in place) and took it. The police department found it but it became evidence and they couldn't find the guy that took it (he had other warrants against him) so the insurance paid out on it.

I apologize that this isn't answering your question but I don't understand. If the police found your trailer, why didn't they give it back? If I find someone driving a stolen car, I arrest him and then if the owner can be contacted, they can come pick it up and drive it away (if it's still drivable). The police don't need to keep it for evidence. Do they think that the trailer will fit in the courtroom?? If you didn't want it and the insurance paid out on it anyway, then I guess it's a moot point. But still sounds strange to me.

[Franklin]

It took months to find it and the man who "borrowed" it from "friends" wasn't found as of when we had moved several months after that so the insurance paid out and held title. Cathy

[Franklin]

Has anyone used "The No-Weld Wood Chassis building manual" from Tiny Tears site? Thanks, Cathy

[reiltear]

Cathy, I don't know if anybody on this forum used that manual, but people have built wood-framed trailers. Dgriff and Jiminsav made beautiful TDs and quite a few Vintage Plans(at the top of the page) are based on wood frames.

The general consensus seems to be that it's doable, but not recommended. I myself am for it and, at the same time, opted for an HF #1175 trailer w/12" wheels for my build.

If you do a search(yeah, back to the top of the page) for "frameless" or "wood frame/chassis" or some other related phrase you will see a ton of pros and cons.

Hope this helps

[mikeschn]

Hi Cathy,

Welcome to the forum.

Wood, hmmmm in the right hands it could be do-able, but for most of us I would suggest sticking with a standard steel chassis.

A HF 4x8 can be had for very little money, and it comes with a certificate that lets you get your title and plate without any hassles.

So yea, my vote is for steel!

Mike...

[Franklin]

I came across this website when looking for info and I have read some of it and bookmarked it for Al (husband): http://www.synthx.com/articles/trailer-design.html - we are looking at a 4 by 8 and the wheel things will be covered over by the body so the 5 by 8 I liked won't work so still looking around and reading. Cathy