Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

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Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby fletchs_65 » Tue Oct 30, 2018 1:12 pm

First, I apologize if this topic is discussed elsewhere but I could not find it. I am wanting to get started with my first teardrop and can't even figure out what size trailer. We know we need a 5 foot trailer. It will be me, my wife and sometimes 2 medium dogs. The question is should I go 8 foot or 10 foot long? The 8 footers seem to be more readily available and much less expensive. But I have tried to sketch it up with a bit of headboard storage and a decent size galley (nothing huge) and it just doesn't seem to fit very well. I have seen people talking about extending the trailer and building the camper to overhang the trailer. How hard are those 2 options? Thanks in advance.

I have seen several in the gallery that I like. This is my favorite so far: gallery/album.php?album_id=3283 by lfrazer98.
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby noseoil » Tue Oct 30, 2018 2:31 pm

5 X 10 & you'll never regret the extra room.
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby KennethW » Tue Oct 30, 2018 2:46 pm

With curves on the front and back A 10 foot camper will fit on a 8 foot trailer by extending off the front and back on the bed.
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby tony.latham » Tue Oct 30, 2018 3:24 pm

I agree with Tim, aka Noseoil.

I would suggest you grab some graph paper and draw in the length of a queen sized bed --80". Then draw in your headboard and what you want to fit in your galley.

You might consider seeing if a local welder would weld up a trailer for you. It can't be much more than a Northern Tool "mail order" trailer. Here's a trailer plan that you could take to a builder:

http://www.diy-teardrop.com/2013/03/custom-trailer-ordered.html

:thinking:

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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby fletchs_65 » Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:02 pm

Thanks Tony. I actually deal with several metal fab shops. After I cad up a layout I may take your trailer plans and shop it out for quotes. It will actually be the best bet to get exactly what we want. I was just thinking buying a pre-built might be easiest but after reading about registering a trailer it doesn't seem like it would be too much of a hassle.

I also looked at your wiring layout and wow! Electrical is not my think and that intimidates me. But I guess we can just lay that out too and then run some extra wires in case I forget something.
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby Sparksalot » Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:56 pm

I started with a 5x8 frame/kit, then stretched it to 9'-7".

That said, If I was doing it again, I'd have a custom frame built.
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby fletchs_65 » Tue Oct 30, 2018 7:07 pm

Hey Sparks, I just spent the last hour looking at your compass rose. Very nice and inspirational. By the post dates it looks like it took about 9 months or so. Is that about right. I'm hoping to have mine done by the time I retire and I am just 53 now. So yeah, I think I got this. :D
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby Sparksalot » Tue Oct 30, 2018 8:17 pm

About 6 months to first trip. I'm still working on her however!
Holy cow, Rose is a teenager now! Done? Surely you jest. A teardrop is never "done".

The Compass Rose build thread: viewtopic.php?t=23213

Inspiration: http://tnttt.com/Design_Library/Trailer%20for%20Two.htm

It's got a cop motor, a 5.3 LS plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. ~ Elwood Blues
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby swoody126 » Wed Oct 31, 2018 6:55 am

¿ 5x10 w/ raised floor for under floor storage or maybe even a well for your feet when the bed is folded into couch position?

i vote 5x10

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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby tony.latham » Thu Nov 01, 2018 7:48 pm

I also looked at your wiring layout and wow!


I don't think you looked at mine. I'm one of the simpleton 12 volters. (We don't need no stinking AC up here in the Rockies.)


Image

Image

:thinking:

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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby Rhinoman64 » Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:03 am

Another thought about the frame: check on Craigslist and the like for a busted pop-up. They can usually be had pretty cheaply. You might have to do a little demo but sometimes you get lucky and there will be usable parts you can sell to recoup some of the cost. Obviously, the "time is money" trade-off will have to be considered. I got lucky and found one that the seller had stripped down to convert to a utility trailer so all I had to do was remove some floor boards. Well, that's all I had to do but I went ahead and stripped it down and put on a new coat of primer and paint...and I upgraded the axle...and I cut off the front outriggers. So, yeah having one built is the best option but the pop-up frames are another that I believe are better than the Harbor Freight trailers for sure.

And I agree wholeheartedly on going with a 10'. I'm in the home stretch on my build (I hope to find time soon to get the rest of my build journal typed up) and the amount of space for the cabinets and galley is fantastic.
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Re: Step 1 - 5X8 or 5X10 trailer?

Postby twisted lines » Fri Nov 09, 2018 5:33 pm

tony.latham wrote: Here's a trailer plan that you could take to a builder:

http://www.diy-teardrop.com/2013/03/custom-trailer-ordered.html

:thinking: Tony


Thanks for sharing! I spotted a few things to add to mine as I have started then found this forum :?

Step 1: 5 X 10
Racking up; And Rapin foam
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5 x 10 = More Galley Options

Postby Dusty Mark » Fri Nov 23, 2018 11:44 am

Going with 5 x 10 will give you more galley options. I paid a local welder $800 to build a custom chasssis. That included the steel and labor. I provided the axle, wheels, levelers, and A-frame tongue. Check out Dust Mark’s 5 x 10 build journal for a blue print that I gave my welder. This is the same frame that Frank Bear uses on his trailers...
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