Trailer Chassis

[brian_bp]

Finally aestheticaly, everyone is trying to emulate the "original" teardrops more or less.  Those early trailers used 16'' or 17" second hand automobile wheels and tires.  Probably in the range of 6.00/16.  The skinny 8" and 12" tires just don't look "right" to me.  The 5.60/15 tires and wheels on the 1970 VW (by then they had the small center bolt pattern) I owned in the 1970'a would look about right and should fit under most trailer fenders.

That's just the setup which I suggested in another discussion thread - using a nearly equivalent and less outdated size - for the same reasons. It was something like a 165R15 or 165/80R15 tire size.

[Senior Ninja]

If form follows function, then I think the HF Trailer, even the folder, that I used is okay. If it doesn't look right to you, don't use it. That's the great thing about teardrops, you can make whatever you'd like. I happen to like both the look and the idea of the HF folder. Of course after mine was assembled, it no longer would fold, then I added a 4' X 8' 3/4 piece of plywood that made folding unthinkable. After one year of use I see no problems. I guess time will tell.

Steve

[Frog]

The ingenuity and individuality of the builders and the final results of these completed trailers are the highlight of these trailers and make them really interesting. Whatever works is fine. I haven't seen two alike and not one that I didn't love. You all do a magnificent job. What I've been expressing amounted to some thinking out loud.

I've had a small utility trailer 44" X 54" inside with 18" high 3/4" CDX sides since I bolted the frame together in 1981. It's got 8 inch wheels and I always thought it would have looked better with larger diameter wheels. Having said that, I've towed it cross country twice and carried everything from refrigerators, camping gear, firewood, gravel, as Honda 750 and even 1,800 lbs of block because I misjudged the weight. Those 8 inch wheels never caused a problem, but darn it they just look small to me. But, heck function over form.

[Alphacarina]

It calculates tire size and revolutions per mile for various tire sizes. Now, if you are going 60MPH that is equal to RPM. RPM would be more associated with the final tire size than the rim size. a low aspect ratio 15" tire may rotate at the same (or more) RPM as a high aspect 13" tire.

Soooo

185/80 13" goes 818 revolutions per mile (overall dia 24.65")
205/75 15" goes 744 revolutions per mile. (overall dia 27.11")

Both of those are VERY conservative - The 205/55-15's on my 2002 car turn 844 RPM's by comparison . . . . more than the 185/80-13's on my trailer, so whether you run 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 inch wheels doesn't mean much . . . . unless you just prefer the 'look' of 15 inch wheels there's no real reason to consider using them - Personally, I think they look out of place on very small trailers

Don

[Senior Ninja]

What Don said.
Steve

[Frog]

There is still one advantage of larger tires in their greater carrying capacity at lower pressure resulting in a softer ride. Whether or not that's worth the extra cost and weight of a larger tire and wheel is a matter of opinion.

There is no right answer except what the individual builder believes and wants.

Yet again thanks for an interesting discussion.

[angib]

There is still one advantage of larger tires in their greater carrying capacity at lower pressure resulting in a softer ride.

Yeah, but then there will always be a father figure nearby who will tell them that all trailer tyres should always be pumped up to the maximum pressure moulded in the sidewall.....

Andrew