Modular cargo trailer idea (trailer photo now)

[phlat]

Newbie here so forgive me if im being dumb.

I recently aquired a 5x9 3500# rated cargo trailer. The typical run of the mill tilt bed trailer with side rails. Easily movable by my 2 year old on a mission. Almost perfectly balanced on the axle. Spent some time putting new lumber and lights on it to get it back up to par. The primary use for this trailer is to haul my small 2-person Bantam bass boat.

Well after a few nights brainstorming I had the idea to build/buy a teardrop with the exception of the travel chassis, and design it to sit on the top of the side/front rails and be removable by 2 people to sit on the ground on its own set of built in stabilizer jacks so the trailer could be used to take the boat to the boat ramp, and also allow entry to the teardrop while on the trailer if needed. The rails are made of 1.5 inch wide 3/16 inch thick angle iron, supported twice on each side and once in the middle of the front by welded vertical supports to the frame. The top of the rails on this one are about 25 inches from the bed on it with another rail about 13 inches off the bed, and is approx 44 inches off the ground. A flange/clamp/bolt system would be worked out to sit on the rails and make sure it doesn't slide or shift.

So here's my question. Would a teardrop, less the tounge/axle/wheels/excess frame, be too much weight to put almost 4 foot in the air for safe travel? I could go without the kitchen in the back to save weight, but I'm still just guessing on how much weight we're talking about. Trying to solve the issue of having one tow vehicle that I can't put the boat on/in and take the family camping. The sleeping area of the teardrop would mostly be for the wife, my 2 year old, and myself to sleep in during incliment weather.

If i've left out any details, please ask. This has been bugging me for a long time. I've also considered putting and entire popup on top of it but that is by far not removable by 2 people without piggyback style jacks.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

phlat

ETA <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3762475176_db441bdc53.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="trailer 001R" />

[bobhenry]

Pictures Pictures Pictures,,,,,


Is this kinda sorta the trailer ???


How big is the boat?

What does it weigh?

Could it be put on top of the tiny camper as a roof ( thinking boat trailer here) ?

Seem easier to put the boat on the trailer body as a second roof rather than putting the trailer body over the boat.

The bantam tracker bass boat that I found on the net was 9'6" x 4' a perfect size for a tiny trailer.
Profile the trailer to follow the lines of the boat and put a very slight bow in the roof to shed water when the boat is at play. Now you can arrive slid the boat off the roof at waters edge flip it over install seats and motor and launch. Pull the trailer to your site and camp in comfort.

[phlat]

Add a second set of side rails to that about 25" off the bed of the trailer and you got it. Exact trailer. And it sounds like you have the right boat in mind. Its pretty light weight. MAYBE 100#. After the motor/battery/seats its adds about another 75#.

The idea came as an add-on to the trailer, not an overhaul of it. A way to keep the trailer in its original form for use around town when friends or family move, but have a teardrop I can put on it that can be removed on a moments notice and leave the cargo area under it to use to store anything else for a trip. I thought about putting the camper on the bottom, then add a rack to sit the boat on but that kills the cargo space and the ability to get into a camper with side doors without cutting out sections of the side rails.

Sounds goofy, and i've had many tell me its 'doing it the hard way' but i've never done anything simple. I've also had a few tell me its a great idea but noone i've came across has had an idea of the weight of the teardrop without all the travel hardware, and if its practical for 2 people to pick one up.

Thanks for the feedback.

[bobhenry]

Here is what is on that trailer now !







The galley is in with 8 screws and easily removable then I have a cargo 4'11" wide by 10' inside. Hell we can move in the rain.

I had dreamed of a flat bed , cargo , teardrop combo using different bed units but by the time you embleish the tear with electrics and tow lighting it gets more and more difficult to remove the " BOX " not to mention it gets heavier and heavier so I went this way for my all purpose combo trailer.

Slightly taller sides and a different profile roof to accomidate the boat and you got it all.

UNLESS YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE REFRIGERATOR

[phlat]

Wow! Thats quite the trailer. Got an inside pic? I'm not looking for anything near that complex. More or less just something hardsided to sleep in on something other than the ground. I also dont wanna cut up the trailer at all cause when im not camping it still needs to function as a boat/cargo trailer. Idealy i'd just have multiple but my garage space is limited at best, and multiple trailers isn't ideal for travel in my current situation.

[George Kraus]

Would you consider cutting off the rails and modifying them to fit in stake pockets? Now you can get your modular unit on with a low center of gravity and still have the rails when you need them. This would also allow you to put high rails into the pockets to carry the boat on top of the modular unit without actually having the weight of the boat on the unit. I have a utility trailer also and just run stake pocket sides, off and on in less than 5 minutes.

George

[phlat]

I've thought about that as well. Any extra cargo would have to be packed into the teardrop while towing. Screen tent and small tents for the older kiddo's as well as anything else. Pack space in the TV (the white van in the background) is pretty limited. I would still want the camper to be removable from the trailer. Any idea what one would weigh without all the towing hardware?

As for electrics I could hardwire all the lights and fans for pretty simple. All 12V cold cathodes. I could add in an inverter if needed. But I would intend to mostly dry camp with it. The lights I can run off a small 12V 7AH battery for DAYS. Add in a small solar panel (all of which i have done in the past) and its pretty much self sustaining. The towing lights would stay on the trailer.

[edcasey]

I can't help you with the teardrop idea but it's an interesting one. When I read your post I first thing that came to mind was a roof top tent. It's actually a common build to use a cargo trailer to haul gear and mounted an elevated tent over it. The tents mount to two cross bars (which can be removable) and come off in a few minutes if you need to haul taller cargo. I wasn't going to post anything about it but you did mention mounting a pop up...
I'm building something similar to haul off-road behind my CJ5.

[phlat]

Thats pretty much where my idea came from. I came across those and was in a discussion with a friend about it. Then the popup came to mine, then the teardrop.

[bobhenry]

Well it is obvious you are well under 40.

With my alzheimers I would forget the ladder when I rolled out. Watch that 1st step.........

Some of the folks we camp with would probably steal the ladder as a bad joke.

[phlat]

Ed, what is the make/model of the tent in the last 2 pix? I can't read what it says on the side of the tent.

[long live teardrops]

It says "Maggiolina".

More info can be found here:

http://www.autohomeus.com/products/index.php

[phlat]

Ahhh TYVM.. This might be a nice backup plan. I'll still try the original idea and see how it turns out.

[angib]

A couple of thoughts on your idea:

- I think it's structurally do-able, but I would be concerned about collapsing the side rails. Adding some diagonal flatbars (1.5" x 3/16" would be enough, I think) at each end and the same across the front would give you most of the strength needed (see sketch below). Then you just need something to stop the back end of the side rails from going sideways.



- Being so high up, the teardrop body will add a lot of extra drag, but that's no problem if you have a decent sized tow vehicle.

- The stability of the trailer with that top weight could be a worry. Empty, it shouldn't be a problem, so you would have to not load up the teardrop with lots of stuff. Side winds could also cause more of a problem - you will have to accept that you don't tow in really bad weather.

Otherwise, I think it could be done. Mind you, putting the boat on top of the teardrop does seem easier.

Andrew

[Prem]

Yo! phlat,

Sup bro?

Well, you've certainly gotten some other ideas from the pros here. Lots to think about.

Here's my 2 cents: Leave the trailer rails. Weld on to them for a cargo-like shape. Built the sides, front, roof and rear like a cargo trailer. Slide the boat in through the rear barn doors. Slide it out when you get to the water. Fold-down beds give you sleeping. Cooking gear stores in cabinets where the ceiling meets the walls. Season to taste.

Option: Trade the utility/gardener's trailer in for a cargo and be way ahead of the game. Most dealers will trade, or sell the flat bed yourself for even more bucks.

Best wishes,

Prem