4x8 or 5x8?

[mike8]

Im getting ready to start my tear drop project but am still throwing around a few ideas. I have purchased a 4x8 HF trailer, but started to think maybe a 5' x 8 may be more practical. Is it even possible to build on a 4' wide trailer, or even worth it? Any and all advise is welcome, thanks folks.

[blue66]

I would go with a 5 x 8. But it really depends on how many people will be using it. if 2 people, I would build a 5x8 with a door on each side.

[bc toys]

i'm going with blue on this one

[Lgboro]

I built a 4 x 9 mainly because I tow with small cars. With all the extras and loaded to camp I weighed in at a respect able 1020 lbs. Towing with a Jetta TDI thats about all I need to tow (probably could tow more but it tows this weight easily and without issue). I camp alone so the extra space of a larger tear isn't needed. I did not extrude my interior cabinets very far into the living space which gives a feeling of more space too.

[jonw]

I would go with a 5 x 8. But it really depends on how many people will be using it. if 2 people, I would build a 5x8 with a door on each side.

I'm also going with Blue's recommendation. Not only does it give you a queen size bed, but that extra foot in the galley area gives you a lot more options and working space.

[emiller]

5X8 is what I think you would be happy with.

[NathanL]

Currently building a 5' x 9'-6" one on a HF trailer with no issues. Extended the tongue and moved a crossmember channel out from the reat to 1' in front to hold up the front where it projected forward a 1' from where the front part of the trailer was.

[GerryS]

If there are two, unless you are very thin newlyweds, 5 wide is really nice . You'll probably also be able to sell it easier later.

Ours is last stretched about 18-24 inches (it was commercially made, I don't remember the specs) but its nice having a little more headroom.

I don't think I could do 4x8....

[markhusbands]

I went through the same thing and finally decided to go with 4x8 just to make my first build very simple, able to built with 4x8 sheets without any floor overhangs. I know it will feel narrow, but I figure it is better to build a 5x8 or 5x10 on a five foot wide trailer the next go round than mess with the overhang and wheel wells on the HF trailer.

[PKCSPT]

My Little Guy is 4x8 and I find it just roomy enough for me and my dog. If I were to buy another I would go 5 wide.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

You don't need limit your overall design to your frame dimensions. My first teardrop was 4x9, built on the 4x8 HF trailer. My second is 5x10 build on the same 4x8 HF trailer.

[LDK]

I like my camper but if I ever build again I would most definitely go 5 wide with 2 doors. I wish I had done that the first time around.

[AceMan]

If one was going to purchase and on a tight budget you might find a 4x8 as a good starter. I found that having a 4x8 as my first Tear did not damper my desire to be part of the Teardrop community, I did move up to a 5x8 when I had more $$ but I was able to sell the 4x for only a small loss. The enjoyment of camping in it more than made up for that loss. I know that may not be your situation mike8 but I thought I would throw it out on this thread. :

[markhusbands]

I really was tempted to go to 5' on the HF 4x8 trailer (and still am; all I've done is assemble the trailer and bolt down a floor; waiting for fall/winter for more indoor time).

But I just thought about it and decided that with the 4' standard on most plywood and aluminum, and with the somewhat limited quality and weight capacity of the HF trailer, it just made more sense to me to do a very simple and inexpensive 4x8 with solid wood walls and floors, something I can bust out this winter without missing any powder days or becoming a bad dad that ignores his kids, and then see if i get enough enjoyment out of the build process to want to do it again, and if I do, build a 5x10 on a welded frame, or even a canned ham, and sell the little one or keep it as a one-man. It also helps that I'm only 5'7", and my wife shorter, so we can probably tolerate a narrow bed for a couple nights, which is our typical trip length. If I HAVE to, I'll drink an extra beer so that I can sleep more soundly despite the narrow bed. (you got to have a strategy for these things)

Mark

[len19070]

You don't need limit your overall design to your frame dimensions. My first teardrop was 4x9, built on the 4x8 HF trailer. My second is 5x10 build on the same 4x8 HF trailer.

Zack is spot on with this comment.

4X8 Harbor Freight Frame....





Happy Trails

Len