Which Trailer?

[Traveling Man]

As a newbie I've been reading this forum for some weeks and am amazed at the knowledge and generosity of members. I've finally decided on a general trailer style. I'm planning a 5'6" by10' floor on a 5' by 10' purchased chassis (yes, I'll build over the tires). The trailer will be a popup (I'm working on the lift mechanism). I plan to build as light as possible, but expect the trailer to weigh 1,200-1,500 pounds. I like the Red Trailer 5' by 10' teardrop chassis, but I'm concerned that the 2.5mm steel used is too light (especially on the tongue). I've checked all the other store sites and can't find the chassis I want. Any help?

[mikeschn]

Hey TMan,

Welcome to the forum.

I find it interesting that you are only going to bump your sides out by 3" on a side. So you'll still use fenders???

A popup sounds like fun. Are you going to use wires to pull the top up?

Regarding the steel for the chassis, in particular for the tongue, I'll wait for Andrew to chip in.

But while we are waiting, I've seen a number of popup teardrop designs. Which one are you thinking of building? Got a pic?

Mike...

[Traveling Man]

Mike:

I'm putting in a queen bed - 60" wide. I'll sleep lengthwise so that gives me 3-4" extra to make the bed. I want to keep the profile narrow enough to "hide" behind the car and will be using the fenders. Thats also the reason for the popup. The sides will be 4' by 10' and the popup roof will be 30" to maintain overlap when extended. I've checked out many lift mechanisms and find most either too complicated mechnicaly or too "simple" to help lift the roof. I'm planning a removable pipe on the tongue with a boat winch. The front and back walls of the lifting roof will be pulled forward on hurricane hinges along with the roof. The two sides (6' each) will be lifted upright to the roof on hurricane hinges from inside the cabin. The "dutch door" will fasten together when the top is up. Galley will be in the back, but the bed will extend to the back in a 20" space starting from the back and going 24" to the front. Bed will be on a short platform to accmodate building over the fenders (will be storage space). The front of the cabin will have a 30" by 24" shower/bath and a cabinet and counter. Walls for the bath will be 4' with a shower curtain to the ceiling. In addition to the chassis my concerns are (1) chemicals in the potty, and (2) tongue weight an axle placement. I've just gotten sketchup and will have drawings coming.

[Mark McD]

TMAN,
Check out Andrew's pop-up design, the Compact 3 here:
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear00.htm

[Traveling Man]

In my popup I plan to have a curved front and back on the roof-riser to keep as close as possible to teardrop profile when the top is down. Not sure about skin, but I'm checking out aluminum, Filon and fiberglass painted over. I think fiberglass is lighter.

I think I'm going with the Red Trailer 5 X 10 with the 13" tires, but I'm not sure of the axle placement on the frame. I saw the thread on this trailer and see that the axle is welded into place. I'll have the galley in back, but will have the shower/bath, small 3-way fridge, microwave and some storage cabinets in front, along with propane tank and batteries on the tongue platform. I'm thinking this weight distribution will allow the axle to remain where it is from the manufcturer which is slightly forward from the typical wheel placement on teardrops with heavier galleys in back and still maintain a tongue-weight of +-10%.

Hope to have drawings in Sketchup soon. --Tman