4x8 or 5x8???

[Oster]

Everyone on this forum is so helpful! I'm about to start my first build and I've already hit my first stumbling block. A Harbor Freight opened less than a mile from my place a couple of months ago, and I just found out that they no longer sell 5x8 trailers, they only have the 4x8! I'd always intended on building a 5x8, but am now considering a 4x8 instead. The money issue really is an issue, so an extra $200 for an extra 12 inches seems like a lot. To put things in perspective, my husband and I are both under 5'10", and we sleep on a full size bed very comfortably in our place now, so I really don't think having a full size mattress in the trailer would be too bad, but I wanted to get the groups opinion. Does that extra foot really make enough difference to justify the extra $200 price tag for 2 struggling college grads!?

[Kharn]

A full/double bed is 54" wide, not 48". I have yet to read a "I wish we had built our tear narrower" post, but there are tons of "why didn't I go wider?" posts

[Roly Nelson]

Oster, I feel that that $200 would be just the tip of the iceburg. Besides paying extra for the larger trailer, you also must buy extra material to make it 5 wide. Remember, plywood generally comes in 8 ft lengths, and having to cut 3 ft off of a full sheet can run up the costs, expecially if you plan to panel the interior. Also a wider mattress would cost more, as well as the 5 ft wide roof covering, if that is what you have in mind.

True, 5 wide is more comfortable, and allows a larger galley and wider interior cabinets but would be a bit heavier. (It's also a foot wider when you have to park or store it.) If I were to build another, and I had a mate, I would probably opt for a 5 wide as well.
Good luck on your build. Remember, pics, pics, pics.

[Oster]

Thanks for your input, I agree about the costs! I'm sure that whatever we build we'll love, so if we decide that a 4x8 is too small, we can always just build another!

[Wolfscout]

Thanks for your input, I agree about the costs! I'm sure that whatever we build we'll love, so if we decide that a 4x8 is too small, we can always just build another!

That last statement is in opposition to your first statement of:

...
The money issue really is an issue, so an extra $200 for an extra 12 inches seems like a lot. To put things in perspective, my husband and I are both under 5'10", and we sleep on a full size bed very comfortably in our place now, so I really don't think having a full size mattress in the trailer would be too bad, but I wanted to get the groups opinion. Does that extra foot really make enough difference to justify the extra $200 price tag for 2 struggling college grads!?

Why not invest a bit more now, to ensure you won't have to redo it all. You're not likely to get what you put into it to build a second trailer during these economic times. Couple less night outs and eating out, and you can have the larger trailer.
And a full size bed does not fit in a 4 foot wide trailer. AND you loose the thickness of the walls on both side. You have to subtract that from the 4foot normally.
You can probably figure an inch and half thick wall on each side.
That's how thick mine is with insulation and paneling.

[Oster]

I meant I agree that it will cost more than just the $200 for the trailer, there will be other things that cost more as well.

Does anyone have any recommendations of where to get a 5" wide trailer that isn't a lot to ship?

[Lgboro]

I'm building a four foot but I tow with a Jetta TDI so the weight factor was the deciding issue for me. I plan a summer trip from Eastern NC to Alaska and San Diego so I wish I could have built even smaller but I plan to use my tear for years to come and was afraid a 40 " would be too small for shorter trips around home. I'm way too slow to build a second tear for my Ak. trip You might want to mock up a cardboard interior the size you intend to build and then can see if its enough room for your needs. I have been known to sleep in those 1 man tents or under my canoe at times so I guess I may be the wrong one to comment here.

[Bigwoods]

Many of us have built a 5' wide on a 4' trailer. Some build over the wheels and I opted to widened the 4' Harbor Freight trailer so I have wheels exposed and fenders on it. There are several ways to do it.

You can find several threads on how to do just this.

[campmaster-k]

There is no problem here. You can build a 5 wide on the harbor fr. 4x8. Just build over the edge. Its only 6" on each side. Just do it. Even production trailer go over the edge further than that.

[wagondude]

Surely you have farm stores in your part of the country. You could get a trailer there. Also, a quick look in the Yellow Pages (the internet before there was an internet) would probably get you a listing or two for welding shops or trailer manufacturers in your area. Those trailers that the landscape companies use usually don't come from too far away. or you can do as others have said and just build 5 wide on the 4x8.

Bill

[Oldragbaggers]

Northern Tool makes a nice 5x8 frame and they do not charge for shipping. Redtrailers also has one that a lot of people on the site have used. There are tons of trailers out there though and if you keep your eyes on Craigslist you could probably find a good one. I checked Craigslist every day for a couple of months but I found a great old pop-up frame for $100. Another $275 to a welder for some modifications and I had exactly what I wanted for less than the price of a bolt together. It took a little time and was a bit more work, but worth it in my opinion and if I build again I will do it the same way.

We had our frame modified for a 54" width, which is the size of a true double bed. We thought 4' would be too narrow, but wanted to keep weight down so didn't go with the full 5'. The cost of materials goes up quite a bit once you exceed 4', but it's still going to be the cheapest way to have a brand new camper.

Have fun with your new build.

Becky

[wired]

My wife and I visited a dealership that sold both a 48" wide and a 60" wide. The 48" felt very small and claustrophobic and we both could not believe how much larger the 60" seemed. That settled it right there for us.

[CliffinGA]

I've got both a 4' and a 5 1/2 ' that I'm currently building. The wife and I sleep well in the 4 wide but the difference between the two is alot. All else fails find the nearest lil guy dealer and go try them both out, just stay away from the 6 wides our you'll never be happy with anything else

Cliff (& Sheri)

[emiller]

Five wide for sure. I like 5x9

[Sam I am]

Build it 5' wide using Baltic birch plywood, which comes in 5'x5' sheets. You'll have very little wasted wood. You can still use the 4' wide trailer, and build out over the wheels, or spring for the 5' wide model. I made mine 5' wide and it uses a standard double bed mattress (54" wide). Four feet is really tight.