Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **wolfhound** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:28 pm

First, I have enjoyed nosing about on this forum for a while. I have come across tons of inspiring ideas and motivating stories/pictures, and I want to thank you all for that.

So, I have done a tiny bit of searching and didn't find much on the subject yet, and here it is...

We are looking to build something akin to a canned ham this year and I have a design issue. It revolves around desired functionality and my unyielding HOA and garage door height. We want to build and store the trailer in the garage (according to the HOA, driveway is a no-no...you can't even work on your car in the drive way). The door? It is only 6'8" and I am 6'2". We don't have a lot of leeway here.

Since I will be building everything from frame up, I have some ideas that could help. Has anyone ever used an air bag suspension setup in order to lower the trailer while not in use? I'm thinking 2" off the ground, and then raise it for tow once out of the garage. Anyone try this yet? I am already okay with the idea of slouching about in the trailer, but every little bit helps.

Also, if I do a drop floor, what is the minimum recommended clearance between it and the road surface? Rather than using air bags to lower the trailer to store, I could use them to raise the trailer for less-than-agreeable road surfaces.

Thoughts? Ideas? We would love them!

by **mikeschn** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:43 pm

What about doing something similar to this...

http://www.fishhousesupply.com/icehousekits.htm

Mike...

by **wolfhound** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:19 pm

Haven't seen that before...interesting. It gives me more to research. Thanks!

by **48Rob** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:53 pm

Wolf,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm working on the solution to the same challenge.

As Mike linked, the ice/fish house industry has a pretty good thing going with regard to having solved the problem (though likely without knowing that we have a problem they solved...)

The majority of their systems use a simple ratcheting cable lift to allow one end of the trailers leaf springs to raise/lower a couple feet to lower the trailer onto the ground.
They also use a pivoting tongue so the front also lowers.

The fancier models use a hydraulic system connected to trailing arms to which are attached to torsion axles.

If you are good at fabrication and welding, you can build your own.
If not, the going prices for these setups on trailer frames (no body) run $1500 - $4000 depending on size and options.

I have seen some air bag models, but they are home built.

Rob

<img src="http://fishhouseplans.mnsportsmans.com/Images/wpe19.jpg">
<img src="http://fishhouseplans.mnsportsmans.com/Images/Wheels6ftSpring.jpg">
<img src="http://www.displaytrailers.com/images/tndf.jpg">

<img src="http://www.fishhousesupply.com/images/images/htf12.jpg">

.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_wnoqqH ... re=related

by **Rusty O'Toole** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:13 pm

Some have lowered their trailer a few inches to get them through a door, by installing smaller wheels for storage.

You could cut plywood discs and use them for wheels. I have seen this solution used in another situation, where a racer made wheels 4' high for his open wheel race car. This allowed him to put tool boxes, jacks, even a spare motor on his trailer then roll the car over them on plywood wheels.

Of course in your case you would be making rollers smaller than the tires.

I would use a double or triple thickness of plywood, and turn the wheel nuts backwards and put washers between the nut and plywood.

by **wolfhound** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:42 pm

Those are some great suggestions. I love the engineering of the ice fishing trailers, but there are also benefits to keeping things simple. And lucky me, I was off on my measurements and have a standard 7' door. It will still be tricky, but a problem potentially solved by tiny wooden wheels! I will post up some 3D models soon for feedback.

Thanks again!

by **doug hodder** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 8:46 pm

I swap some 8" wheels onto mine to get it in and out of the garage off a utility trailer that I seldom use. I have a floor jack and an air wrench. Takes about 15 min. maximum. That seems to be the easiest and most cost effective method to me. 6' interior height and I am or was 6'2", 6'11" garage door opening. Doug