starting point

[onemanbander]

I have been given clearance from the boss to purchase a trailer- it will work as a utility trailer for the time being... but I have plans to turn it into a teardrop someday in the near future (read next few years).

Any suggestions on what trailer to buy?

It seems the 5' wide model is the preferred width, and I assume I need a 5' trailer to accomplish this... any other suggestions I need to take into consideration before "starting" my build?

Thanks in advance.

[brian_bp]

This is just an off-the-cuff thought, but I would avoid a welded steel floor, and look for a trailer with flooring which can be easily removed, since it won't be the floor you later want with the teardrop body.

Another factor would be axle position: it should be adjustable, or in a suitable location for the teardrop configuration (tears are normally tail-heavy, so the axle is relatively far back along the body).

How about sides? Utility trailers sometimes have side rails, which I think are a great idea on a utility trailer, but will be in the way (if they are welded on) of at least the door of the teardrop.

Whether the wheels are entirely outside of a rectangular deck, or entirely below a flat deck, or set into fenderwells, should match the configuration of the teardrop.

I think that if a lot of rework of the structure will be required to adapt the trailer, then there's no point in the conversion, so it should match the teardrop design or the plan should be to start fresh on the chassis and just sell or keep the utility trailer.

[Walt M]

I was just looking at Red Trailers 5'x10' "teardrop Trailer"
http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowTrailer.asp?id=14
hey oneman is that a JR Terrier you're walking? Walt

[onemanbander]

JR? well... maybe... he's a rescue dog.

funny story- he came with the name "Bobbers" and I couldn't imagine standing outside calling for "Bobbers" - so I changed his name to "T-Bone"

[Walt M]

JR is a Jack Russel Terrier. Great dog full of energy. This is ours

Walt

[mikeschn]

If you are not building over the wheels a 5' is a good choice.

If you ARE building over the wheels, then think about this...

a 4x8, has an outside of tire to outside tire distance of 66". That's what the Escape Hatch is.

a 5x8, has an outside of tire to outside tire distance of 78". That's what the Generic ET is.

[onemanbander]

What I meant to say is "I have no idea if he is a Jack Russell or not, they didn't provide a pedigree when I got him from the pound" - I have very similar pictures of T-Bone covered in blankets... he loves to curl up and have just his nose sticking out... weird dog.

Mike
As far as building over the wheel wells or not- I assumed I would build between the wheel wells like the vast majority I see here - and I think I would want to stay with a teardrop shape - but maybe the under the bed storage makes a lot of sense... and the extra width with out so much extra trailer seems effective.

Are their any examples of more traditionally shaped tears built over the wheel wells?

Is there any reason this is not done more commonly?
The only reasons I can think are to keep the door low, and "that's how it's always been done"/looks.

Peace