FINALLY...Progress on the Squidget with PICS to prove it!!!

[cracker39]

By Golly, I have what almost looks like a trailer frame. I am just cutting and dry fitting the pieces, but I’ve posted them in an album. Later, after the welding is done, I’ll replace these pics with the completed frame progress. Before someone tells me that the tongue should be under the frame, not on top, the entire frame is upside down, except for the coupler mount and coupler. I have it sitting on what is the bottom of the tongue, just to fit the pieces together to make sure everything is cut properly. I still have lots of grinding to do, to smooth some cuts and refine all of the bevels for the weld bead.

I thought about making a bumper of wood, mounted on a frame of angle iron, but decided finally to make it of steel, but it’s not done yet. I’m still deciding on the design. That will add more weight, but also more protection. If I’m going to have a bumper, it may as well do the job and wood might look good, but I doubt it would win over a vehicle crashing into it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cracker39 ... dd&.src=ph

[PaulC]

Hey Dale, Prelim work on the frame looks good. I fitted a steel bumper in situ on mine. More fore bumpy feely reversing than vehicle impact
It shouldn't be long now
Cheers
paul

[toypusher]

Dale,

Just looking at your frame pics. Are you putting the tongue on top of the frame vs under the frame??? Does not seem like it would take the stress very well and would make it difficult to built the box on top. Maybe I'm just not seeing straight on this.

[PaulC]

Hey Kerry, Try re-reading Dale's post. He makes a point about the frame being upside down.
Cheers
Paul
PS I know -----wrong name

[madjack]

hey Kerry...snicker snicker snicker.......................................................

[toypusher]

[bledsoe3]

Dale, your frame is looking good. I bet it feels good to finally start.
P.S. Turn that thing over before you confuse someone.

[cracker39]

Dale, your frame is looking good. I bet it feels good to finally start.
P.S. Turn that thing over before you confuse someone.

Thanks, all.

Like another one I know of (smiling), this one will be heavy...maybe overkill, but I'm following Andrew's advice on steel specs. My current weight estimate with bumper added plus the axle, wheels, tires, jack, etc. is about 380 lbs. I'm still estimating a total dry weight of around 1300 lbs. That leaves me 700 lbs additional towing/overall load weight before I reach my truck's limit. That doesn't count the weight of my wife, myself, and gas which I already decucted, just equipment and supplies.

And, yes, it does feel good to see some actual work done. As soon as it is welded and the tongue put on, I will coat all of the bottom and inside surfaces with Rustbullet except where the axle should mount (leaving that part bare to weld on) and turn it right side up to coat the top and continue building. After I have enough built to weigh it and balance the tongue weight, I'll put on the axle and finish the protective coating. All of this will take a couple of weeks to do.

[Ira]

Oooooohhhh!!!!!!!

I also like that the jack will always be vertical.

Seems like Dale was really serious about doing this.

NUT!!!

[cracker39]

Oooooohhhh!!!!!!!

I also like that the jack will always be vertical.

Seems like Dale was really serious about doing this.

NUT!!!

Nut? Sir, you are indeed a cad and I resemble that remark!!!. Methinks I should challenge you to a duel at sunrise, but I don't get up that early.

Did calling me a nut mean that I'm a nut for being so serious, or that you don't think it will work mounted rigid on the tongue? Well, there are other ways, and it's taken me this long to reply as I've been drawing another picture for you.

I can still install it inside so that it will swing up if I decide to. It means getting a piece of round tube that will fit into my 1/8" square tube. The jack mounting plate is welded to the sqare tube, then the round tube is run thru the square tube and welded between the tongue pieces. Two holes are drilled through the square tube for a pin. Then, two holes are drilled thru square tube thru the round tube for the pin, one vertical for standing, and one at an angle to tilt the jack up and back for traveling. I like this method better, but it is more work to construct. Here's how it's done:

[Ira]

I meant you're a nut for actually beginning to build the thing--like all of us.

[Steve_Cox]

About time.

Steve

[cracker39]

OK, Ira, you got me to thinking again, and the design I posted on the swing up center jack stand is a go. I picked up a short piece of round tube today that just fits into a 2" square tube, just like in my drawing. It only costs me about $6 more than using the original outside attaching. The center stand makes for better balance when parked, and will look better too.

[Ira]

OK, Ira, you got me to thinking again, and the design I posted on the swing up center jack stand is a go. I picked up a short piece of round tube today that just fits into a 2" square tube, just like in my drawing. It only costs me about $6 more than using the original outside attaching. The center stand makes for better balance when parked, and will look better too.

Huh???

Sorry, I'm having trouble paying attention:

I'm still drunk from joy at finding my sink…

Still debating whether to ignore Jack's advice and use the full-size sink strainer that I ALREADY have instead of having to buy a smaller 1" bar sink drain…

I haven't been able to do any TD work for two weeks because of family responsibilities…

I want to finish my electrical tomorrow, but the forecast says rain…

My wife is not too thrilled with me these days and hasn't sewn my curtains yet…

I want to mount Raul's crab on my box although that' s not a major priority...

And I sense a rash coming on from all of this stress--in a place that men DON'T want to get a rash.

New builders, welcome to the party!

[cracker39]

I have been curious as to how much my boat trailer weighs, to compare to how my TTT will tow. Today, I finally checked it’s weight with a bathroom scale, and estimate it at around 1600 LBS. My TTT shouldn’t weight more than that loaded for camping, so it should tow about as well, and I have no problems towing the boat. There will be a little wind resistance with the TTT, but I don't think enough to make much difference.