Weight Calculations

[Roy Owen]

How does one estimate/calculate the weight of the completed Tear Drop? I need to keep the total draw weight below 1000 lbs.

Thanks
Roy

[tinksdad]

Oh Boy!!! here's one I can answer with the same info that was just passed along to me recently from other members of this group!!!

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/weight-est-data.pdf

Give me a minute find the other link and I'll edit my post.


Didn't take a minute!!!

http://www.hoganhardwoods.com/hogan/pages/technical/Technical_03/plywoodweights.htm

[Creamcracker]

How does one estimate/calculate the weight of the completed Tear Drop? I need to keep the total draw weight below 1000 lbs.

Thanks
Roy

Go to the "Design Library" above and then o the right hand side, about half way down "Trailer balance."

Philip

[angib]

The weight estimating data I've posted is really only useful if you are used to doing weight estimates. If you want some simple 'rules of thumb', then it's a bit complex.

Here is some data where forum members gave the weights of the teardrops they've built, by length and width.



You can see that there is a wide variation of weights at each size, though no-one got a 5x10 under 1,000lb. Looking at the 5x8s, you'll see the range is 550-1,050lb, which shows how much difference it makes if you choose (or are inclined) to build light or heavy.

I suspect the biggest impact on the finished weight is whether you think about weight-saving as you are building. Teardrops are not houses, though quite a few builders use exactly the same size and thickness of materials.

If you say to yourself while building "how can I make this piece four times stronger than it needs to be?", then you could push a 5x8 over 1,000lb, but if you say to yourself "what will just do the job?", you'll breeze in a few hundred pounds below that.

Andrew

[Miriam C.]

I know I built heavy but I added all the wood, screws, glue and liquid weights up and got under 1000. Well then there is the trailer and the air and the battery--- Mine is much bigger than normal. If you make a list and add the weights up you will be under because you are going to cut off the corners.

[Jiminsav]

the secret is to use positive thinking...if you build with a goal of 500 lbs firmly etched in your mind, never wavering in it's validity, telling everyone in hearing distance that that is your finished weight, well then, it might come in at 1000 lbs..

[mikeschn]

Hey, that almost looks like linear regression!!!

Mike...

P.S. Opps, I just saw your legend. It IS linear regression!!!

[ARKPAT]

Do like they do in BIG Cargo planes with crates of birds. Have a guy beating on the sides of the crates while in flight. That keeps the weight down if they are all flying.



Pat

PS: I did the guess and took the load of parts ( on the trailer frame to the local salvage yard scale - 732# w/two spare tires ).

[Roy Owen]

Thanks to all who answered.
The information was useful!

I was leaning toward building a 5x10 but now with the weight charts I think I'll do a 5x8 if I can find a trailer frame at my local HF or TS.

[angib]

Hey, that almost looks like linear regression!!!

Nearly - I was sick for a week back in college when we got taught about that and so I ended up copying a classmate's notes. He took perfect notes, using coloured pens an' all, so I found it easy and straightforward.

Except..... I misread his handwriting and for years I was convinced this technique was invented by an Italian called Regressoni.

Andrew

[Alphacarina]

the secret is to use positive thinking...if you build with a goal of 500 lbs firmly etched in your mind, never wavering in it's validity, telling everyone in hearing distance that that is your finished weight, well then, it might come in at 1000 lbs..

That's been my experience too - Add up everything you can think of . . . . then add on a 50% 'fudge factor' and you should be close to your final weight

I built a very small, 'ultra-lightweight' covered trailer for my motorcycle using a HF 1740 as a platform. Tried my very best to keep it below 500 pounds - Came in at 725

I have no earthly idea why it's so heavy. Didn't use all of the HF metal frame. Used a 4 by 7 foot piece of 3/4 ply for the floor and 3/8ths for the walls. A single sheet of aluminum for the roof . . . you know, a pound here and 8 ounces there - It just all adds up . . . . exponentially

Don