New trailer design

[jac5167]

My wife and I are in the market for a travel trailer and not liking the designs we have found we decided to build one. We finally settled on 18 ft long and not quite 8ft wide, and I was wondering if there were any thoughts on the design ideas.

For the main frame/longitudinal supports/tongue I am using C-channel 4x5.4, I think its called, which is four inches tall and has about 1.25 in lips. There are two of them and they run the length of the trailer and are spaced 68 inches apart, and they come to a 50degree point at the head of the trailer.

For floor joists I am running 1inx2in 11 gauge rectangular steel tubing crossways on 24 in centers.

The walls I am building out of 1inx1in square steel tubing and making them about 7 feet tall.

The axles I would like to sdpace about 4 - 5 feet apart.

Below is a model I have built in CAD, if it doesnt post you can go to this website:
http://www.collier-technology.com/mypic ... er%201.bmp

The pointed head of the trailer is where we are guiong to put the shower stall and bathroom in case any one is wondering.

Anyone have any comments of suggestions?

[mikeschn]

Don't tell anyone it's a tiny trailer, they won't believe it...

But the first thing you need to look at is the axle. Dual axles are usually connected with a pivot.

Mike...

[danlott]

I think you could save a lot of time by finding a used v-nose cargo trailer and converting it to fit your needs. Look under the cargo trailer category to find more ideas.

Dan

[48Rob]

I'm with Mike on the axle placement.

Spreading them apart may seem okay at first thought, but keeping them together on a pivot will allow both axles/wheel sets to carry a more or less equal amount of weight at the balance point of the trailer, where the support is needed.
Once spread apart, they will at times bear all the weight (one at a time) which may overload the springs/axle and or stress the frame and structure causing damage.

Rob

[jac5167]

No its not exactly a tiny trailer, but you guys seemed to know what you are doing by the forums I looked at before joining.

I hadn't thought about the pivot thing, I will look into it. I can say that the axle I am going to use along with the springs are capable of bearing close to the entire load with each one being rated at 3500lbs.

One question I also have is how do you think the steel frame will stand up to high winds say 50-60mph. We're gonna use this in Amarillo and they have them up that hi or so I;ve heard. Maybe I should put a few tie down puts at the top of each side wall?

[kennyrayandersen]

I'm with Mike on the axle placement.

Spreading them apart may seem okay at first thought, but keeping them together on a pivot will allow both axles/wheel sets to carry a more or less equal amount of weight at the balance point of the trailer, where the support is needed.
Once spread apart, they will at times bear all the weight (one at a time) which may overload the springs/axle and or stress the frame and structure causing damage.

Rob

Actually you should have a common mount with a little swivel thing in between the two springs on either side like this:

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/items.asp?Cc=A-SUSP-E&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=

That means that the two axles need to be close enought together that the aft one's forward mount and the forward axle's aft mount are pretty much co-located.

I also think you probably should look at a cargo trailer. In fact, it might be easy enough to find a used one cheaper than you can buy the parts, save a lot of labor and get a jump-start on your build. BTW, there would still be PLENTY to do...