New Build -- Designing Frame & Floor -- Same Size??

[VermonTear]

Hi..

Newbie designing and building first teardrop. It will be a 4x8 based on a few different ones I've seen. Local metal fabrication shop will build the chassis to my spec. A couple of the teardrops I've looked at appear to have a chassis that is smaller than the floor of the tear -- chassis about 5'9" while the floor is closer to 7' and the walls 8'. I found that a bit strange. Why wouldn't you want the chassis to support the entire length of the floor?

[aggie79]

Hi Vermontear,

That's a good question.

On my teardrop, the answer is easy. The platform on my frame is shorter than the teardrop because I have curves at the front and back. The platform is only under the floor. The platform is narrower than the frame because I wanted to side walls to extend down past the frame to cover it.

The teardrop shell is quite strong. In most cases it is plenty strong to cantilever up to one foot or so beyond the frame. Other than the profile, I believe the main reason you see the frame platforms smaller than the floors is because a lot of people are building on whatever frame they can find or adapt.

Take care,
Tom

[bobhenry]

I would say it is simply to save unnecessary frame weight. The weight concentration that the floor sees is from the human torso. basically sholders to thighs. The rest of the floor sees very little actual weight. If your walls are solidly connected to the plywood floor panel it will actually work like a truss and hold up the floor by transfering the load thru the side panel. I have a 5x10 barn and the front two foot is cantalivered over the tongue without support except the sides. It is under the front cabinets and there is no way to stand there even though the barn is a short standy trailer (5'7" inside). If you feel there is a need for the full frame by all means do so but it is pounds of extra steel that really may not be needed.

[aggie79]

I would say it is simply to save unnecessary frame weight. The weight concentration that the floor sees is from the human torso. basically sholders to thighs. The rest of the floor sees very little actual weight. If your walls are solidly connected to the plywood floor panel it will actually work like a truss and hold up the floor by transfering the load thru the side panel. I have a 5x10 barn and the front two foot is cantalivered over the tongue without support except the sides. It is under the front cabinets and there is no way to stand there even though the barn is a short standy trailer (5'7" inside). If you feel there is a need for the full frame by all means do so but it is pounds of extra steel that really may not be needed.

+1 on what Bob said.

[jss06]

My frame is built to the same length and width as my body. I did this to protect the body when I take it off-road. Yes it makes it heavier but I prefer the extra protection.

[VermonTear]

Thanks, y'all. I figured it was maybe to save weight. With your concurrence, I now have my head freed to put pencil to drafting paper and proceed. Thanks for the feedback.

Ken "VermonTear"

[bobhenry]

The little chuckwagon is built on a 40 x 48 harbor freight trailer

It measures just under 7 foot in length and is cantilevered front and back 65 / 35 . This means the axle is about 30" from the rear [ 7x12=84" times .35 = 29.4

You can see the frame in this pic...



Here he is at work at The Crossroads of America Gathering this summer





Body placement in relation to the axle is important for balance and handling.