Would love feedback on my original, tiny trailer design

[oicu812]

I stopped by a Timbren dealer here in Indpls. to make sure you can't get brakes on the 1200 or derate the 3500 and you can't according to them, he put me on the phone direct and they said no. Good luck with your build.

[deleted]

Thanks for the update oicu812. Guess I'll be passing on the Timbrens for now.

[mikeschn]

So Stacie... since you've been to the TCT Rally, have there been any changes to your trailer design?

Mike...

[deleted]

Hi Mike,

Changes? Yes. Because of the rally? Not really.

The rally confirmed for me that the 4' wide trailer would be perfect and 8' or more in length would be unnecessary for my needs. Seeing the trailers in person also made me realize I wanted a bit more vertical than is standard. And though I came up with the idea of building a trailer to use on my own to go out for overnight stays to cover stories my blog, the rally and how nice and friendly everyone was has made attending similar rallies in the future equally important once I have my trailer.

Alaska Teardrop suggesting I turn my design around making the rear the front for better aerodynamics was probably the biggest aesthetic design change but that happened here on the forum. And dropping the exterior wood and putting the aluminum over blue board was probably the biggest construction change. Aside from that, other building materials and weights, which type of axle to use, converting my rear hatch into an awning, I received a lot of ideas and info here that have greatly altered or gently reshaped my original design. For now I'm going without the built in shower pan in the floor but really want to use that idea if and when I build a standy some day. Unless I can find a Minit. Then I'm buying it and keeping it as authentic as possible.

Even though I'm pretty clear on the design now, I'm going to the Treasure Island gathering this weekend to take a peek at the dozen teardrops that will be there. I'm completely fixated on travel trailers. Can't get enough of them.

[Jiminsav]

Stacie, with a trailer that light, all brakes are going to do is lock up the tires and let the trailer slide....and I like them torsion axles..sorta what i had in mind for a airbag type suspension.

[mikeschn]

Even though I'm pretty clear on the design now, I'm going to the Treasure Island gathering this weekend to take a peek at the dozen teardrops that will be there. I'm completely fixated on travel trailers. Can't get enough of them.

Then this might be right up your alley!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21033

Mike...

[deleted]

LOL that list is hilarious and spot on!

Let's see, these most reflect where I am right now on things I'm doing or have already planned to do in the next 6 months...

3. Your dreams consist of building teardrop trailers.

8. You have searched and found EVERY possible website that has something to do with teardrops, or vintage trailers.

10. You start clearing your garage so that you have room to build a teardrop.

11. You cannot imagine life without having at least one teardrop, or trailer.

15. You try to pass your teardrop addiction onto your other friends.

16. Your idea for a vacation is finding the best camping spot somewhere.

22. You start looking at light fixtures in a totally different way. Can it be converted to 12 volt DC & 120 volt AC.

23. You find yourself on E-bay junking the cast iron for all those dutch ovens, waffle irons and skillets to keep up with the rest of the possessed teardroppers.

28. You are reading this because you need assurance that you are still OK, and kind of normal.

31. You might be addicted if you look at other peoples photo's looking for ideas.

33. You search Craig's List every day for stuff that might be useful for a teardrop.

34. You find yourself looking for "retro" stuff just to help create the mood you want to achieve.

39. It's REALLY bad when your teardrop has it's own website, and business cards.

41. You want a custom blanket to decorate your teadrop, and seek someone who can sew it for you, or make it yourself.

47. You search the internet for every possible LED source to choose your lighting fixtures.

48. You contemplate how you can install a toilet, or shower into a 5x10 or smaller teadrop..

52. You are addicted when you already finished your teadrop, then start building teardrop shaped dog houses.

53. All the vacation photos you take show your teardrop from every imaginable angle.

59. You sketch out pictures of your trailer to show people what you have, or better, a photo album of your trailer on your cell phone.

60. When you sneak away to the garage to take a nap in the tear.

62. You pick out a cute name for your trailer, or if you can't make up your mind, you poll the forums to help you come up with more suggestions.

65. Break out the vintage camping gear! You are now searching for vintage stoves, lanterns, and flashlights. The new stuff stays at home!

68. Dreaming how you can build more teardrops, and stay within a budget...

72. You are addicted when you find a fixer trailer for sale in another state, and for a brief moment you consider making the trek to pick it up.

73. You are addicted when you make up an email address to reflect the name you have just given your trailer. ie. (trailername)@hotmail.com

[deleted]

Hi Jiminsav,

Are you saying having brakes on a trailer that doesn't weigh much can do more harm than good? Or that in some instances the brakes may do no good?

[Wolffarmer]

If you have to much brake and it locks up the wheel when stopping that is not as efficient as if it had stayed turning. Also it will probably cause that axle to go places not intended. That is why way back I suggested 7 inch brakes for your build. Also one can adjust the controller. On a light trailer you will get less braking than you will on your tow vehicle but you will get some.

Randy

[droid_ca]

If you have to much brake and it locks up the wheel when stopping that is not as efficient as if it had stayed turning. Also it will probably cause that axle to go places not intended. That is why way back I suggested 7 inch brakes for your build. Also one can adjust the controller. On a light trailer you will get less braking than you will on your tow vehicle but you will get some.

Randy

So Randy would it be more Drag the actual braking?? cause I could handle that

[deleted]

Thank you for that explanation and suggestion Randy.

[Jiminsav]

Stacie, thats sorta what I am saying..if you put a brake controller in, and it's set too high, or if you panic stop..the trailer will become a hover board.

[deleted]

Thanks Jiminsav. So it sounds like brakes with a controller set low would give me some traction for braking without so much that I would lock up and skid if I ever had to slam on the brakes? I'd rather err on the side of some braking capability is better than no braking capability in a true emergency situation when stopping as fast as possible is critical.

[KCStudly]

To further complicate things, there are inertia based brake controllers that will apply the brakes proportionally to the attitude of the TV. i.e. the harder the TV pitches forward during braking, the harder the brake controller applies the brakes. They take a little more to install, are limited to a particular installed orientation, and cost more.

One more thing to study up on before making a decision.

[Wolffarmer]

If you have to much brake and it locks up the wheel when stopping that is not as efficient as if it had stayed turning. Also it will probably cause that axle to go places not intended. That is why way back I suggested 7 inch brakes for your build. Also one can adjust the controller. On a light trailer you will get less braking than you will on your tow vehicle but you will get some.

Randy

So Randy would it be more Drag the actual braking?? cause I could handle that

A tire that is locked up produces less braking force than one that is turning and the brakes are converting motion to heat. Tires skidding will not produce as much heat. And locked up tires will often feel like the trailer is trying to pass you. And sometimes it does.

Randy