Building on a old boat trailer???

[Chuckaz]

Aside from the obvious having to weld a flat frame on the trailer and lose the "v" bottom braces, is there any drawbacks to using thins as a platform to build a teardrop on.

It would be a bit larger than most I have seen on here but I am 6'9" so I am okay with a bit bigger trailer for sleeping comfort. The existing frame is 6ft wide and from inside tire to inside tire it is almost 7 ft. I can make it as long as I would like but I assume I will be cutting it down to maybe make it 10 ft long outside dimension. Are there any suggestions on this before I dive into it?

Thanks
Chuck

[Fishingtomatoseed]

Just starting myself. This is the same thing that I am going to do. The tralier is a dual axle and I am trying to figure out if I need them or just use one. Hope you get your answer.

[rowerwet]

from what I hear, boat trailer axles are usually to far back, and heavier than a regular utility trailer. I had the chance to buy a boat trailer for a little less money than my carry-on, from what I have read on this site I stuck with a utility trailer.

[bobhenry]

Remember, with a tandum axle trailers you can keep on going with a flat if needed. I have seen several 3 legged tandum trailers creeping along to get help with tire problems.

Building on a boat trailer will offer several great options ....

You can design to cantaliever backwards up to a couple of foot beyond the rear frame member to balance the trailer a bit and reduce the tongue weight.

With the longer tongue you can add a front platform for toys , bicycles, pit bikes, wood rack or "whatever" providing you didn't exceed the tongue weight that the tow vehicle is comfortable with.

I think a tandum axle setup would be far more of a benefit than a liability. Yep there are 2 more tires to pressure check and 2 more bearings to care for but is that really a big deal?

[planovet]

Caseydog used a 1970 Dilly boat trailer. Here is his build thread: Link

[madjack]

...there have been quite a few Tds built on boat trailer frames...just keep in mind the balance issues cited above...a dual axle is a bit of overkill BUT the beauty of these builds is doing what you wanna do(as long as it's safe)...........
madjack

[Mightydog]

I believe jdarkoregon built his on a tandem axle boat trailer...