weight

[robs5230]

hi , i live in the uk and plan to build a teardrop. it will be based upon the 8x4 ultralight in the design library on here.

i plan to use independent suspension units and would like to know whether units rated to 350kg or 550kg would be best.
chassis will be 50x50 box steel frame, axle and drawbar and 50x30 box crossmembers.

my teardrop will have no rear hatch , virtually no cupboards ( just a stowage locker inside at the rear and maybe a 12v battery for lights on the tongue.

it will be constructed just to sleep in and will not be hauling loads.

your comments would be appreciated thanks

[angib]

I think the critical factor in estimating the weight is estimating how heavily you tend to build things.

If you think thick materials are always better than thin ones, your finished trailer may end up close to that 350kg (770lb) limit and so you might be better off with the 550kg ones.

But if you intend to build fairly light the 350kg units will be plenty.

[robs5230]

no, i'm a bit of a minimalist. as long as the teardrop is structurally sound i dont intend to overspec it . the whole idea is keeping it simple for me. hence the omission of galley and hatch etc.
i have a touring caravan on a permanent site for holidays and the teardrop is really for extra indoor sleeping space when needed and of course for the od weekend away with " er indoors " when we get a chance.

i have since checked the weight of my intended chassis build which will be less than 50kg. the walls will be 18mm single skin and the roof 3mm with insulation then a 3mm headliner. all in ply.
i intend to finish with paint.

thanks for the reply.

[Rock]

For what it's worth I built a very close approximation of the Ultralight design that Andrew and Mike came up with a few years ago. 4 X 8, insulated, 5mm outer skin, 3 mm inner skin, covered in fiberglass and epoxy, one door, galley and limited cabinets. It came in at 400 lbs/180 Kg dry. So for what you're describing the lower rated hardware should work.

Have fun.

Eric

[robs5230]

cheers !

thats the sort of corroboration i was looking for