Structural teaser...

[mikeschn]

Just a little teaser for you guys that can't see spending $500 to $800 for a trailer...

Would something like this work?



Mike...

[Arne]

Yes, while not very rigid, the trailer structure is and that would make it just barely ok...

[Guest]

Psst,
(Did you put that Millermatic on Santa's list yet?)

[Jiminsav]

In case you missed it Mike, my second attempt here is using ALL wood construction except what has to be metal..the axles and the tongue.
here's a pic without the top sheet of ¾ plywood.

[mikeschn]

Aw, now would you look at that! You volunteered to be my guinea pig. And you're so fast too!!! So tell me Jim in Savannah, how does this structural i beam stuff work. does it keep it flat and strong? What did you do with all that space you created with the beams? Create under floor storage?

Anyways, if it works, then you might be onto something. Shall we call you Dr. Wooden I-Beam?

Mike...

[Spook]

This Dutch guy doesn't use the wood I beams but his frame isn't huge either. http://www.tante.nl/zzhugo/index.html

[Jiminsav]

Yeah, Mike..thats the idea..under floor storage..where the breaks are in the side, is where the access doors/steps will go, hopefully, it'll be kewl.

[Jiminsav]

oh, i forgot to mention, i hope that the i-beam system is strong, because i'm counting on it to hold my butt up..*s*

[Rick R]

Dont forget, that the plywood fastened to the top and bottom of the beams would themselves act as huge beams with at least a 4-foot web in the horizontal planes, giving the structure massive strength in those directions.

[jay]

methinks you're all on a slippery slope with this one....

[mikeschn]

There's a lot of problems with this design for sure. No lateral support, tendency to twist, moisture problems, packaging problems, complexity of construction, risk of self destruction on the highway, etc... you get the idea.

I threw the picture up there to hear what you guys had to say. And the response was interesting. But having said that, I want to say, I don't think it's the right platform for a teardrop. I have a photo of this on my Weekender page, but I think I'll take it down and replace it with a different bolt together steel trailer.

Ounce for ounce steel is going to give you the biggest return for your dollar, giving you a starting point that is strong, flat, compact, and ideally suited for road use.

Let me state this another way.
Keep our highways safe. Build with steel!

Okay, I got my $.02 worth in!!!

Mike...

[Jiminsav]

turncoat!!!!
benadict arnold
wimp!!

[mikeschn]

I'd rather see you guys all safe and sound, than to build a wooden structural trailer that comes apart on you. For this design to be done right we need a structural engineer. That's not me!

Mike...

[Arne]

building with wood is easy. Building 'right' with wood is hard. you can bolt an angle iron suspension unit to wood. the problem is it would have to be double up 2x6's or a 2x8 down each side. A trailer glued together would easily supply rigidity..... but, bottom line is... why bother?

And..... voila, torsion would make this much simpler than springs.

I'm starting to think I might convert my harbor freight to torsion...

[Chip]

And they said man would never fly,,a few sticks, a bit of cloth, couple of propellers,,,dang next thing ya know ,,,,one giant step for man,, if it werent for thinking outside the box (tear shaped or square) there would not be much variety,,Jim, do I think it will work,,???who knows,,,If it does it will be unique in the world of tiny trailers,,if it does not,,well it was a good experiment,,heck look at the Spruce Goose,,, dang big ass plane made out of wood,,far be it for me to poo poo on any design,,,,Jim at least ya dont have to worry bout rust,,,watch out for them dadburn termites though,,

chip