Newbie from Boise, ID

[pbrunicorn]

Hello, lurking on and off for awhile and researching online the past year - trying to figure out design. I just started drawing everything up in AutoCAD today. My first drawing is here http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/4007314074_9f2d109404_o.jpg Since uploading that one I have ribs and the galley hatch drawn up and in place.

As you can see - its not wood. I am a 28 yo welding and metal fabrication student so I am going to try a different route. This is my project for the rest of the year (3 more 8 week 1/4's)

Does anyone have experience building a trailer like this? Looking forward to asking more questions and gaining more knowledge.

Thanks
-Brian

[gjenkins]

Hello, lurking on and off for awhile and researching online the past year - trying to figure out design. I just started drawing everything up in AutoCAD today. My first drawing is here http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/4007314074_9f2d109404_o.jpg Since uploading that one I have ribs and the galley hatch drawn up and in place.

As you can see - its not wood. I am a 28 yo welding and metal fabrication student so I am going to try a different route. This is my project for the rest of the year (3 more 8 week 1/4's)

Does anyone have experience building a trailer like this? Looking forward to asking more questions and gaining more knowledge.

Thanks
-Brian

Hey Brian, I am thinking of building in the Spring. I am leaning towards 5x9 on a custom trailer with torsion axle. I want to make it as light as possible. I need a welder Anyway, there are tons of builds documented here and several threads and links about building trailers ...

Trailer Section: Trailer builds and Chassis Secrets

Trailer Intro: http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11178

External tutorial: http://www.teardroptrailers.us/dlpage.html

[Chris D]

Check out teradropsamddollys.com Oklahoma Co

They build everything from steel or alum

Chris D

[Chris D]

Check out teradropsamddollys.com Oklahoma Co

They build everything from steel or alum

Chris D

[corncountry]

Welcome, Brian:
Lots of good info. on this forum.
Check out my album, some photos of my first build. This build turned out heavy, 1130 lb. Build #2 should be lighter. Found out I don't need as much framework.

Jim

[alffink]

Welcome Brian

I realize that your drawing is just the first draft, but something that is easy to miss, is that your door sill should be lower than your mattress. So that when sitting in the doorway, your thighs don't feel as though they are being cut off.
Pending mattress thickness, give yourself at least 2 or 3 inches, if the mattress is soft, preferably more. Makes that first cup of coffee, oh so much more enjoyable, when you don't have to keep moving around to find a comfortable position.

Keep, the posts comming, this part of the build can really be fun, let the imagination run wild.....it's your build, build what you want.

[pbrunicorn]

Thanks for the replies and the info. I'm heading back down to the schools computer lab to continue drawing and revising. I will be looking at those links shortly. Thanks again.

-Brian

[pbrunicorn]

Haven't done the whole forum thing for awhile - forgot you could quote and reply in a more direct manner than I did before.

Hey Brian, I am thinking of building in the Spring. I am leaning towards 5x9 on a custom trailer with torsion axle. I want to make it as light as possible. I need a welder

I would be more than happy to weld for you. I will graduate with my AAS in welding and metal fabrication this spring - I am sure we can work something out then.

Check out teradropsamddollys.com Oklahoma Co

They build everything from steel or alum

Chris D

Thanks, is this the site? http://www.teardropsndollys.com/ It's not loading for me right now but I will bookmark and check it out again later.

Welcome, Brian:
Lots of good info. on this forum.
Check out my album, some photos of my first build. This build turned out heavy, 1130 lb. Build #2 should be lighter. Found out I don't need as much framework.

Jim

Thanks Jim, what would you take out of your frame work to make it lighter?

Welcome Brian

I realize that your drawing is just the first draft, but something that is easy to miss, is that your door sill should be lower than your mattress. So that when sitting in the doorway, your thighs don't feel as though they are being cut off.
Pending mattress thickness, give yourself at least 2 or 3 inches, if the mattress is soft, preferably more. Makes that first cup of coffee, oh so much more enjoyable, when you don't have to keep moving around to find a comfortable position.

Keep, the posts comming, this part of the build can really be fun, let the imagination run wild.....it's your build, build what you want.

Thanks for the tip, that's something that hadn't even crossed my mind yet.

[gjenkins]

Just a quick look at your drawing and what I have seen around ... your design looks "overbuilt" and heavy. I am quoting a PM I received, but I will keep the author anonymous ...

"If I had to do it over ... I could go much lighter. The first area is the frame. I used 2" x 2" x 11-gauge steel. I would probably keep this size but not add crossmembers - just build a platform for the teardrop box. For the tongue, I used 2" x 2" x 3/16" steel. For this, I would either keep the a-frame design and use 11-gauge, or use a single tongue of 2" x 3" x 11-gauge instead.

On the teardrop "box", I am convinced that an insulated floor, walls, and ceiling is the best approach. Insulated means more work, but I think there are benefits. For the floor I would stay with the 1/4" plywood, 1x2s and 3/4" insulation, and 1/4" plywood sandwich. I also think the 3/4" plywood "swiss cheese" wall framing is the way to go. I left about three inches of plywood along the edges and where bulkheads attach. I would reduce the three inches down to two inches. "

[pbrunicorn]

Just a quick look at your drawing and what I have seen around ... your design looks "overbuilt" and heavy. I am quoting a PM I received, but I will keep the author anonymous ...

"If I had to do it over ... I could go much lighter. The first area is the frame. I used 2" x 2" x 11-gauge steel. I would probably keep this size but not add crossmembers - just build a platform for the teardrop box. For the tongue, I used 2" x 2" x 3/16" steel. For this, I would either keep the a-frame design and use 11-gauge, or use a single tongue of 2" x 3" x 11-gauge instead.

On the teardrop "box", I am convinced that an insulated floor, walls, and ceiling is the best approach. Insulated means more work, but I think there are benefits. For the floor I would stay with the 1/4" plywood, 1x2s and 3/4" insulation, and 1/4" plywood sandwich. I also think the 3/4" plywood "swiss cheese" wall framing is the way to go. I left about three inches of plywood along the edges and where bulkheads attach. I would reduce the three inches down to two inches. "

I started a build journal here http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=32942

I am nearing a final overall frame design - trailer and "box"

Weight wise for just steel on the trailer (no axle setup and no floor) I am under 330lbs. The frame of the teardrop is at 207 lbs. more in the build thread

[dwgriff1]

welcome to the madness.

I live 25 miles east in bug town as it used to be called.

Keep the critter as light as you can, you will always be glad.

dave