by Sawyer » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:08 pm
Well, my opinion is this, if this is your first build and you're on a tighter budget, I suggest sticking with a 4' wide. They are easier and much cheaper to build, very stiff and sturdy (very few splices), and plenty comfortable. I built ours on a HF trailer for less than $1500 in 11 weeks. It's only 46 1/2" wide on the inside, but if you don't mind cuddling, there's plenty of room... And I'm no runt at 6'1" pushing 200 lbs. My lovely lady takes up the space of a broom handle, but we also share the 46 1/2" x 76 1/2" with our dog (petite as he is, he manages to take up ungodly amounts of space).
Plus, while you're building your first td, you're going to learn so many things, build so much confidence, and get so many different ideas that you'll be itching to start on your second before you're done with the first. Use the first td for a year or two, then sell it and use the profits to pay for materials for the second (which will likely be 5' wide, and will incorporate many of the ideas you had but were afraid to try with the first).
Then again, if you're a confident and experienced builder and have a budget that will support it, I would just go for it and build a 5' wide...
"Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither" - Benjamin Franklin