Stretching a 5x8 to 5x10

[afzski]

Hi All

I've got the building bug too and I have been scouring all the sites and these posts - and I'm going to ask the question that probably has been asked before - I have decided on a 5x10 TD - and have been really eying the HF 93747 trailer - the question is - do I really need to stretch the trailer - or could I just overhang the body a foot in the front and back with making the necessary axle move to accomodate the 60x40 rule???

If I need to stretch the trailer - do I just cut the frame and take the spare frame members from the tailgate and insert them in the cut frame to stretch the needed 2 feet??? (appropriate bolts of course)

If there is already a posting for this - please forward me to the correct area

Thanks in advance

Alex

[bobhenry]

Do yourself a big favor and extend the tongue now ! I did not ,and that will be a project this summer . With the body on , it becomes much more difficult. The tongue flexes on mine to the point of being worrysome to me. This pic was borrowed from a fellow forum member and shows a great way to neatly add the length and strengthen the tongue. One chunk of 2x2 x 3/16 or 1/4" wall steel square tube about 30 - 40 bucks and well worth the expense.



With the 2 foot added you should be able to shove the body forward on the frame and while the wheels remain in their original position the balance point has been shoved to the rear. Mine was designed 60 / 40 and I have a bit of sway at highway speeds you might want to consider axle center line at about 42 " from rear (65/35)

[Steve_Cox]

Hi All

I've got the building bug too and I have been scouring all the sites and these posts - and I'm going to ask the question that probably has been asked before - I have decided on a 5x10 TD - and have been really eying the HF 93747 trailer - the question is - do I really need to stretch the trailer - or could I just overhang the body a foot in the front and back with making the necessary axle move to accomodate the 60x40 rule???

If I need to stretch the trailer - do I just cut the frame and take the spare frame members from the tailgate and insert them in the cut frame to stretch the needed 2 feet??? (appropriate bolts of course)

If there is already a posting for this - please forward me to the correct area

Thanks in advance

Alex

Alex,

If you increase floor length by adding a foot front and back, the axle will still be a little too far forward, my opinion, for what it's worth.

Typically when HF frame stretching is referred to here it is about bolt together trailers and bolt together modifications.

I built a 5 X 10 floor on a 4 X 8 bolt together that was stretched to 4 X 117" - Left room for the width of a 2 X 4 on each end to make the 120" total length.

[Sparksalot]

If I need to stretch the trailer - do I just cut the frame and take the spare frame members from the tailgate and insert them in the cut frame to stretch the needed 2 feet??? (appropriate bolts of course)


Thanks in advance

Alex

I did just this with a Red Trailer 5x8. It worked like a champ. I left the axle in the "stock" position on the rear half of the trailer. It "Looks" right, but I'm not quite done and haven't weighed it yet, so I don't really know my tongue weight. I can handle myself, so it can't be too bad.

See the thread for some pictures.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=22611

[Nobody]

That's my HF trailer in bobhenry's post (thanx bh for the plug ). I used 2X2X1/4" square tube for the tongue ext, along with 1 1/2"(?) angle between crossmembers 1 & 2. I did move the axle to the rear but not more'n 3 or 4 inches. My TD is 60X116" outside measure so it isn't quite 10' long. The floor was (I think ) 60X110". You can easily build a 5X10' TD on even a 4X8' trailer so building on the 5X8' should be a snap. I used the 1740# 4X8' because I wanted the 'track' to be no wider than my tow vehicle & on most trailers with 5' wide frames the wheels extend further out than my truck width. Also, using the 12" wheels/tires enabled me to build 'over' the wheels & only have about a 1" high 'wheel well' in the cabin which causes NO discomfort with the 5 1/2" memory foam mattress . I did eventually install a 1" thick steel 'spacer' between the axle & spring seats to prevent possible contact of tire/floor on especially rough roads, potholes, etc. Never had that problem but thought metal fatigue of the springs might eventually cause one. My album shows pretty much the way I did the tongue ext & 'framed' out the floor -

[bobhenry]

Harvey ..... I am so sorry I lost you and was unable to credit you directly.

I grabbed your pics last fall and put them in my album to help me remember how to make my impending change this summer. I will edit my album so I don't lose you again.

Thanks for a really great idea. Yep I am gonna borrow it but imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery

Thanks again

Bob

[Steve_Cox]

This forum is awesome, less than 10 hours and the answer Alex was looking for appeared. Sparks

If I need to stretch the trailer - do I just cut the frame and take the spare frame members from the tailgate and insert them in the cut frame to stretch the needed 2 feet??? (appropriate bolts of course)


Thanks in advance

Alex

I did just this with a Red Trailer 5x8. It worked like a champ. I left the axle in the "stock" position on the rear half of the trailer. It "Looks" right, but I'm not quite done and haven't weighed it yet, so I don't really know my tongue weight. I can handle myself, so it can't be too bad.

See the thread for some pictures.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=22611

[Sparksalot]

This forum is awesome, less than 10 hours and the answer Alex was looking for appeared. Sparks

Hey, I remember those days of searching and seeking help. Time to pay it forward.

[afzski]

Hey all

I can't believe it either !!!!! I only posted this question this morning before I went off to work and when I get home - yep - my question is answered !

So let me see if I get the gist of the recomendations -

(1) - yes extend the trailer body by putting cross members in the side rails and extend 2 ft from the center -

(2) - try to get the wheel center 40-41" from the rear frame end and

(3) - extend and beef up the tongue about 18-24"

I'm just bustin a gut to get started !!!

Thanks a lot guys!!

Alex

[afzski]

Hey all

I can't believe it either !!!!! I only posted this question this morning before I went off to work and when I get home - yep - my question is answered !

So let me see if I get the gist of the recomendations -

(1) - yes extend the trailer body by putting cross members in the side rails and extend 2 ft from the center -

(2) - try to get the wheel center 40-41" from the rear frame end and

(3) - extend and beef up the tongue about 18-24"

I'm just bustin a gut to get started !!!

Thanks a lot guys!!

Alex

[Steve_Cox]

Alex,

You can say that again!