Hello and simple question

[NathanL]

Hello to everyone. I'm about to embark on a teardrop (or teardrop like) build. I live in East Texas and I need a smaller trailer in both length and width than my larger travel trailer. Weight isn't really an issue or drag as I normally tow with a 3/4 ton diesel which honestly gets 20mpg with no trailer and 20mpg with a trailer and 20mpg up/down hill...heh you get the idea. The other tow vehicle I have is a 1/2 ton 4wd truck. Both trucks have tow capacites of 7500lb for one and 10,000 for the other so weight really isn't a concern. Especially when downsizing from a 29'.

But I do need a smaller footprint because I trek off to many offroad areas and National Forest and I need a much smaller rig to pull.

Question - looking at profiles and sizes I came up with either a weekender or the long (curved) weekender and both are about 9'-6" give or take. Trailer will be for me only but I need 80" for bed length.

How bad will a 9'-6" long trailer look like the 2 mentioned above at 4' wide as opposed to 5' wide?

I'm not going to do a lot of CAD/3D work on it - tho I did layout the profile of the long weekender just to see (and the bonus of if I use that profile I can plot it out full size to transfer onto plywood). I do CAD/Detail work for a living and honestly I'd rather make a bunch of boo boo's than sit down and draw it out....

Thanks for the help.

[PaulC]

Hi Nathan and welcome to the Playground A 9'6"x4' trailer is going to look a lot like you, going by your description. Long and lanky. The weight difference between 4' and 5' is minimal and, as you say, weight is'nt a problem. Personally, 9' x 5' is the ideal. I have built botrh widths and do prefer the extra. Hope this helps.
Cheers
Paul

[BillandMarijo]

Nathan,
Mines a 5'x10'. Looks fine to me. Lol.
Bill.
Enjoy the build and Welcome to the forum.

[bobhenry]

5' x 9'6"




P.S. Welcome aboard

[starleen2]

Nathan L - I've been National Forests in Texas, the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston National Forests. Unless you are planning to hike in carrying your teardrop with you - 5 ft will be just fine. It will fit on most access road. general rule - If your truck can make it - then anything less than the width of the truck will go as well down those trails. You'll also appreciate the extra Foot as well. BTW - what part of east Texas are ya' from?

[NathanL]

Nathan L - I've been National Forests in Texas, the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston National Forests. Unless you are planning to hike in carrying your teardrop with you - 5 ft will be just fine. It will fit on most access road. general rule - If your truck can make it - then anything less than the width of the truck will go as well down those trails. You'll also appreciate the extra Foot as well. BTW - what part of east Texas are ya' from?

I live outside Nac and I'm not looking to camp on the Nat Forest locally. Mostly upper mountain west ID/WY/MT etc...I take extended trips but it's me only in the camper and I have a top on the back of the truck to store all my stuff.

But the more trips I take the more off the beaten path I tent to get. Nothing like going down roads that say rough road with rockslides - no services next 58 miles. That's the best trips.

I'm out on the NF here or land adjacent to them everyday so not much of a vacation to get out there on those. I have to get away from the loblobby, longleaf, slash and shortleaf pine and see some new trees a couple of times a year

Thanks for all the input. Pretty much what I thought as well that a 4' would look out of propotion.

[aggie79]

Nathan,
I think the 4' width will look fine with a 9'-6" or 10' trailer. Take a look at this trailer from the Vintage Plans library above: http://www.mikenchell.com/VintagePlans/pln_1947teardrop.pdf . It is 4' wide x 10' long.
Tom

[aggie79]

Nathan,
Oh and by the way, try to come by the LCG IV gathering at Lake Bisteaneau, outside of Shreveport, in October: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=26963. There will be over 50 teardrops to take a look at for ideas. (Ours won't be finished then; we'll be there but in a tent.)
Tom