5x8 trailer weight?

[Archy88]

Good Evening,
I've been toying with the idea of starting a teardrop. I'm thinking of going with a 5x8 design so that two of us can sleep comfortably. However, my tow vehicle has a max rating of 1000lbs.

I found a used 12 year old 5x8 trailer for sale that weighs in at around 365 pounds. I'm curious how this compares to other 5x8 and even 4x8 trailers. Should I keep looking? Or will I be able to accomplish my goal with this?

..Obviously my design and materials will make a huge difference. But I haven't decided on any of that yet

[capy235]

Certainly could with a foamie. I think the galley becomes one of the heavier parts that way. Keep to a simple galley configuration and it should work.

[jonw]

Mine is 700lbs and is roughly based on Mike's Ultralight design. As you can see I even tow it behind my Miata.

No trailer frame, but a 3/4in marine plywood floor with the tongue and torsion axle bolted to it. 5/8in marine ply walls, .040 aluminum roof. See build journal in signature below for more details and pics.

[Todah Tear]

Archy88,

I built a 5 x 9 ( 5 x 8 w/1ft frame extension) woody with a coroplast roof. It had 1/2 side walls. Complete with a table, light shelving in the galley, and it weighed 600 lbs. If you keep amenities to a minimum or use lightweight materials for internal storage you should be okay.



Todah

[les45]

My Northern Tool 5X8 had a shipping weight of only 265 lbs and it has a GVW of 2,000 lbs. I'm sure that a 4X8 with a lower GVW rating would weigh even less.
You can build light on top of anything but 100 lbs less trailer gives you more options.
BTW - the NT 5X8 is on sale right now for $449 with free shipping and the Harbor Freight 4X8 is on sale for $249.

[Riptide]

My in progress 5x9 (plus a bit) built on NT bolt together with the 3/4 ply base bolted down and sealed with epoxy was 383. One thing with Trailers (learned from long trips on boats) the amount of stuff you take will creep up and up. Always remember stuff = weight

Kerry

[Todah Tear]

My Northern Tool 5X8 had a shipping weight of only 265 lbs and it has a GVW of 2,000 lbs.

The one that can be ordered online is a Heavy Duty (HD) trailer with an "A" frame tongue. Mine was built on the NT 5X8 that they sell at the store. The ones that they sell at the stores are not HD, but will work for a teardrop.

Todah

[Archy88]

Mine is 700lbs and is roughly based on Mike's Ultralight design. As you can see I even tow it behind my Miata.

No trailer frame, but a 3/4in marine plywood floor with the tongue and torsion axle bolted to it. 5/8in marine ply walls, .040 aluminum roof. See build journal in signature below for more details and pics.

Jonw, your build is the one that made me realize that I might pull this thing with my car. I truly love your build. I think I might incorporate the ultra chassis so that I have the axle bolted to the tongue. I even ordered the same portable garage for the build and I'll probably be bugging you in the future for more details.

As for the others with the NT trailer, I also figured the trailer would be much heavier as a whole if I went this route. There isnt much of a price difference between the ultralight and the NT, so this remains a plausible option.

I thought about using a 4x8 trailer and extending it, but I would rather not build over the wheels if at all possible. Eventually I'd like to pick up a sweet pair of fenders

[catinmoon]

My trailer was built this past year (not by myself) with light weight in minde it is 5 x 9 and weighs about 600 lbs.


Stehanie

[dano]

My tear is 5x8. Steel frame. 3/4 ply walls. 14" wheels and a 75 pound futon mattress inside. It is 800.00 pounds.
Hope that helps.
Dano