Modified Pop-Up Frame Build

[LoneStar26047]

Hello, first post here. Been lurking...and learning...for a few months. The site is great and offers loads of inspiration! Anyway, I hope to begin my build in he next few weeks and proceed as time and funds allow. So here is my big question: is it possible to add longer axles to a pop-up frame?

Here is what I am considering:

6x10 Teardrop with 5' of headroom (5 1/2 with drop floor)
I want the bed to run the width of the trailer so I need 75 1/2 inches if interior width.
Cosmetically, I really want exposed wheels and fenders with 14 or 15 inch tires.

With those things in mind, and not being able to do my own welding, how feasible is it to place a longer axle under a pop-up frame? Can it be done with no or little welding? Other than wheel placement and size a salvaged pop-up is just the right size frame for what I have in mind.

Thanks for any input. I am just exploring options to get the foundation I want to build on.

[doug hodder]

If it were me...I'd draw it all out to scale on paper/CAD first. Given your width of 75" interior on the trailer and exterior wheels...it's going to be really wide at the fender...like 93". If street appearance/cosmetics are important...I'd rethink that one on a 6x10.

Just how long of an axle you can add to that frame is kinda dependent on how wide the frame members are on it. You can't stick a wide axle on a frame, with lots of "stickout" on the stubs without support.

Others may disagree, but I believe that if this is what you are determined to do...I'd get a welder/metal layout person to help out....Doug

[jimqpublic]

Off the top of my head... Many modern popup campers are 7'6" wide. Older ones usually narrower. If you have half-exposed fenders then you would probably be fine- especially if the wheels are or offset is greater than stock.

Fully exposed fenders would probably demand a wider frame and would push you past 8' of total width.

[bobhenry]

Mine is 5'7 wide and 10' 0" long outside measurments The interior is 4'10"
floor to ceiling at the tallest point. I wired the trailer setting in a camp chair inside. My point is it is wheels under with a completely flat floor. I own and pull an 8'6" wide flatbed double axle trailer and you really have to keep your wits with you when driving or you will be hooking a mail box or sign. You may find yourself hopping curbs at the corners if you arn't real careful. You may want to reconcider the wheels under option or simply save the pop up frame for another project and have a custom frame built.



Our chapter co director has a home build on a pop up frame and they sleep side to side accompanied by 2 seven year old twin boys and have plenty of room.



again it is wheels under ! Sets a guy to thinkin'

[bobhenry]

The barn box is 5'4" wide ( plus about 5" of fender on each side)
by 10'0" long by 5'6" inside at center peak. I can't fully stand up
straight but I can get my pants on while standing inside. You might
concider a non standard build to get what you want.

Here are a few shots of "Barn to be wild"











You will notice in a couple of the side shots the fenders are
only partially extended outboard. Ther is about 2 1/2" of the
fender encased in the sidewall. It will give you the wheels out
look without adding quite as much width.

We really need a caboose build on the forum

[LoneStar26047]

Thanks for the suggestions. You are giving me food for thought.

Doug, thanks for heads-up on the 'stickout". That is precisely the kind of technical information I need to make an informed decision.

jimqpublic and bobhenry, thanks for the idea of incorporating exposed tires with half fenders. That is a very good compromise that would still give me the exposed wheel look.

bobhenry, Not being able to "fully stand up
straight but ... get my pants on while standing inside" is exactly my goal.

Here is the design that got me thinking that what I want could be practical and still have the design elements I would like to achieve. I love the look and stance of hiker chick's Little Guy trailer. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=23387

According to their website the bed platform is large enough to fit across the teardrop (this is a must have for me) and the total trailer width is 90", so the trailer ends up being between 7 1/2 and 8 feet wide. I think I could handle that. As a compromise, I would consider partial wheels under and maybe reduce width to around 7ft.

From pictures I have seen, it appears that a pop-up frame may encase the wheels. Is this always the case? Can the section of the frame outside the wheels be removed without compromising frame strength?

Thanks for all the help. If I can get a pop-up frame to mate with a longer axle I think I could save a few hundred dollars.

[jimqpublic]

...

From pictures I have seen, it appears that a pop-up frame may encase the wheels. Is this always the case? Can the section of the frame outside the wheels be removed without compromising frame strength?
...

At least some do- they have both main frame rails and outboard rails. The issue with popups is that the box is an open top. At the door and often with a slideout on the opposite side, the only thing providing stiffness is the frame. Add to that the bunks which cantilever off the ends and there is a lot of bending/bowing force on the frame. Consider a popup similar to an old-school convertible car- lots of frame flex.

A teardrop is more like a modern hard top car where the whole body gives stiffness. You don't need nearly as much frame stiffness because the whole box is naturally stiff.

I suggest that you could cut the popup frame's outriggers down to your body width and be fine.

[bravebluemice]

THAT'S IT, BOB!

I want a caboose. I was envying your barn build earlier, but after I build the mini for behind the bike, I'm gonna build me a caboose. It will be a fitting tribute to my grandfather, who worked for BN his entire adult life.

And it'll look great behind my ol' diesel.

/threadjack.

Cheers,
~BBM

[bobhenry]

THAT'S IT, BOB!

I want a caboose. I was envying your barn build earlier, but after I build the mini for behind the bike, I'm gonna build me a caboose. It will be a fitting tribute to my grandfather, who worked for BN his entire adult life.

And it'll look great behind my ol' diesel.

/threadjack.

Cheers,
~BBM

I have been gathering pictures and have drawings started for a large caboose to be built on my 8x20 flatbed trailer. However, with 2 builds already started and 1/2 done and $$$$ being kinda scarce right now it will have to wait I guess



The barn get a lot of strange stares and some smiles as well. I got a bad case of Cargo envy from Scuba Jeff and had to have the couch by day bed by night feature offered in a taller cargo type trailer. A caboose will offer the same opportunities and be so darn KOOL !


A pop up frame would work well for the taller cargo style builds. About a year and a half ago I was given a popup frame (needed bearings) and started a trolly top round nosed street car but just a few days into the build I was offered good money for the frame and being greedy I took it.

[jimqpublic]

That caboose doghouse could pop-up! Use the old lift mechanism components from the popup trailer.

[Ageless]

I'm still tinker with design of the Paisley Palace. Not a caboose but still railroad themed

[doug hodder]

Cool idea Ageless....windows gotta be a killer on than one though! Doug

[bobhenry]

Cool idea Ageless....windows gotta be a killer on than one though! Doug

Mirrored or smoked plexaglass and faux all but a few !

No one will know until you turn the lights on at night !