Building the "cabin" before the trailer??

[CARS]

I'm still waiting on a used 4x8 trailer. Why is it when I need one there are none around?? The minute I go to TSC and buy one, there will be 10 on craigslist for 50 bucks!!

Anyway, If I have the plan. The vision if you will of what I am going to build, would it matter if I built the tear before I bought a trailer???

I am sure I have read about people taking their tear on and off a utility trailer. It would kind of be the same thing.

[grant whipp]

Chris!

If you were going to build your own frame to fit your teardrop plan, then yeah, go ahead and build the body first (that's how I build all of mine). BUT ... if you are going with a pre-mfgd. frame, there's no telling what you are going to run into, fit-up wise, when the chassis actually gets there. My suggestion would be, if you are planning to use one of the HF, Red Trailer, TSC, or Northern Tool frames, wait 'til you have it in hand and assembled ... then you'll know EXACTLY what you will be dealing with and how to build around and on top of it.

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[eamarquardt]

After visiting your web site I have to ask why are you considering a prefab trailer (with, in all likelyhood, Chinese stuff) when you have the skills to build exactly what you want with higher quality materials?

Cheers,

Gus

[Noob]

After visiting your web site I have to ask why are you considering a prefab trailer (with, in all likelyhood, Chinese stuff) when you have the skills to build exactly what you want with higher quality materials?

Cheers,

Gus

LOL... Who do Audi and Porsche mechanics drive Chevy trucks ?



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[bobhenry]

I have always let the frame tell me what I want to build.

I know it sounds silly but it works for me.

[CARS]

After visiting your web site I have to ask why are you considering a prefab trailer (with, in all likelyhood, Chinese stuff) when you have the skills to build exactly what you want with higher quality materials?

Cheers,

Gus

Thankfully Gus, I am swamped in the shop. Second reason for not building my own is that I have never built one before. No, it doesn't look like rocket science but why re-invent the wheel??

Now modifying a trailer... sure. I would take that on in a second.

[CARS]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Looks like I should get the trailer first. Makes sense when thinking about what the tolerances might be from one 4x8 trailer to another.

I can still stretch my ply and do the side profiles in the next couple weeks. I think I will just give my self a deadline to find a deal and if nothing comes up, bite the bullet and drive to TSC (I still don't think I can buy the materials and take the time off from work to build one cheaper. Time = money)

[bobhenry]

Chris.

I have been given 5 trailers just by walking up and asking what they plan on doing with it.

Drive the alleys and byways and if you see a candidate just stop and ask the worse they will say is NO !

I was prepared to pay $100 for this one and the fellow told me he was sick of looking at it just take it away



While not exactly a teardrop candidate it will soon become a caboose for longer term camping
(hell if the economy don't turn around it might become home).

[electronicx]

The 4x8 no floor trailer at TSC also sells at Fleet Farm (made by Carry On) for $30 less than at TSC. Still not as cheap as used but $30 is $30.

[CARS]

I bought (but have yet to pick up) an old 8' long pop-up camper. It is 57" between the wheels so I am building a tear 54" on the inside. (55 1/2" on the outside).

So, if you go to my build thread, you can see that I did start the cabin before I have the trailer, but I do know the trailer's dimensions and am building accordingly.