Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am going to attempt to build my first teardrop. My question is this: I have seen many pictures of teardrops running really nice chevy and ford wheels. The hubs on the Northern Tools axles and other trailer axles don't seem to have the same lug pattern. What is the most common way these guys are doing this. Also, it seems that using the straight back axles out of Honda's or toyota cars would work, plus allow you to use those wheels. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
joe

There are people that have used car axels, but unless you have the ability to modify them, you have to build your tear according to the axel specs. The second problem I see with using car axels is the suspension. Modifying a car axel for trailer use is not always easy. Cars don't always use leaf springs, and when they do, they are usually quite long, and tend to raise the trailer up quite a bit if traditionally mounted (under the frame). If they have coil springs, then you have a host of other mounting considerations.

I have heard of people using wheel adapters on their trailers to get the proper lug pattern, and have been told that hubs can be custom drilled to fit any wheel pattern (of course when I tried to get the shop that told me that to make one that matches my VW's pattern, they said they couldn't do that one!).

The hubs on the Northern Tools axles and other trailer axles don't seem to have the same lug pattern.

Joe,

If you get the five lug trailer hubs, they are 5 on 4 1/2" circle, and there are lots of cars that use those wheels. All of the rear wheel drive Fords, Chrysler products, and Jeeps are just some that I can think of off the top of my head. As a matter of fact, I've got Jeep wheels on my teardrop.

As stated many Ford and Chrysler RWD cars used a 5 on 4 1/2 pattern while most Chevys of the same vintage used 5 on 4 3/4. Get a trialer axle with 5 on 4 1/2 hubs and run your choice of aftermarket wheel. If you ever have a disaster on the road, Wal-Mart usually has 5 on 4 1/2 rims with tires on them for spares.

SteveH wrote:

The hubs on the Northern Tools axles and other trailer axles don't seem to have the same lug pattern.

Joe,

If you get the five lug trailer hubs, they are 5 on 4 1/2" circle, and there are lots of cars that use those wheels. All of the rear wheel drive Fords, Chrysler products, and Jeeps are just some that I can think of off the top of my head. As a matter of fact, I've got Jeep wheels on my teardrop.

Here are a few applications for 5 lug x 4-3/4" pattern.
1987-82 BUICK - Regal
1985-79 Riviera1985-77 LeSabre (Ex H.D. Pkg.)
1983-61 Century, Gran Sport, Regal, Special, Sportwagon
1979-73 Apollo, Skylark 1985-79 CADILLAC - Eldorado 1985-80 & 76-75 Seville 1996-87 POST OFFICE VEHICLE - GM
1999-83 CHEVROLET - "T" Series (4WD), Blazer, Pick Up
1998-82 "S" Series, Durango, Sport, Tahoe, Pick Up (2WD)
1995-66 Camaro, Berlinetta
1990-77 Caprice, Impala, Belair, Biscayne, Kingswood (WO/H.D. Pkg.)
1989-70 Monte Carlo 1987-69 El Camino 1985-65 Malibu, Chevelle, Laguna 1982-68 Corvette 1981-66 Chevy II, Nova 1999-83 GMC TRUCK - "T" Series (4WD)
1998-82 "S" Series, S - 15, Seierra Classic, High Sierra, Gypsy, Jimmy, Pick Up (2WD)
1979-71 Sprint
1998-96 ISUZU TRUCK - Hombre 1994-91 OLDSMOBILE - Bravada 1987-69 Cutlass, F85, 442 1985-79 Toronado, Toronado Trofeo (FWD) 1985-77 Delta 88, 98 Regency 1994-71 PONTIAC - Firebird
1986-77 Catalina, Executive, Safari Wagon (WO/H.D. Pkg.)
1986-71 Bonneville, Grand Prix, GTO, Lemans, Tempest
1980-69 Trans - Am
1979-71 Ventura, Phoenix (RWD)
5 lug x 4-1/2" and 4-3/4" are the two most common 5 lug patterns. All american made cars and trucks have used one or the other at some point. Finding wheels to fit either one will be easy. Of course if you want a specific wheel from a specific vehicle, that will require a little research up front to be sure the combination will work.

txturbo wrote:

SteveH wrote:

The hubs on the Northern Tools axles and other trailer axles don't seem to have the same lug pattern.

Joe,

If you get the five lug trailer hubs, they are 5 on 4 1/2" circle, and there are lots of cars that use those wheels. All of the rear wheel drive Fords, Chrysler products, and Jeeps are just some that I can think of off the top of my head. As a matter of fact, I've got Jeep wheels on my teardrop.

Here are a few applications for 5 lug x 4-3/4" pattern.
1987-82 BUICK - Regal
1985-79 Riviera1985-77 LeSabre (Ex H.D. Pkg.)
1983-61 Century, Gran Sport, Regal, Special, Sportwagon
1979-73 Apollo, Skylark 1985-79 CADILLAC - Eldorado 1985-80 & 76-75 Seville 1996-87 POST OFFICE VEHICLE - GM
1999-83 CHEVROLET - "T" Series (4WD), Blazer, Pick Up
1998-82 "S" Series, Durango, Sport, Tahoe, Pick Up (2WD)
1995-66 Camaro, Berlinetta
1990-77 Caprice, Impala, Belair, Biscayne, Kingswood (WO/H.D. Pkg.)
1989-70 Monte Carlo 1987-69 El Camino 1985-65 Malibu, Chevelle, Laguna 1982-68 Corvette 1981-66 Chevy II, Nova 1999-83 GMC TRUCK - "T" Series (4WD)
1998-82 "S" Series, S - 15, Seierra Classic, High Sierra, Gypsy, Jimmy, Pick Up (2WD)
1979-71 Sprint
1998-96 ISUZU TRUCK - Hombre 1994-91 OLDSMOBILE - Bravada 1987-69 Cutlass, F85, 442 1985-79 Toronado, Toronado Trofeo (FWD) 1985-77 Delta 88, 98 Regency 1994-71 PONTIAC - Firebird
1986-77 Catalina, Executive, Safari Wagon (WO/H.D. Pkg.)
1986-71 Bonneville, Grand Prix, GTO, Lemans, Tempest
1980-69 Trans - Am
1979-71 Ventura, Phoenix (RWD)

txturbo,

Nice listing, and I'm shure very accurate, but it is a listing of cars using 5 on 4 3/4" bolt circle. All of the five lug commercially available trailer hubs that I am aware of use 5 on 4 1/2" circle.

I'm aware of that. And the list is just as big for 4-1/2".

The stock Dodge mini van uses a drop axel leaf spring type of axel system. It is just over four feet wide (I think it is 52”) from outside to outside of the springs, the springs are 3 feet long, with a 1.125” clearance from the tires to the springs. You can get them for about $100.00 Axel, wheels, springs, spring hangers from most junk yards. The axel is rated for 3500 lbs. The spring hangers are bolted on to a frame, which makes them grate for a homemade trailer. The axel system is prefect for a teardrop that has the body over its wheels like the kampmaster or the midget trailer. I have used this axel system for utility trailers and it is easy to work with.

Chuck

New to the list but have been lurking for a while.
I was also interested in using a car axle but one with torsion bar suspension, easy mounting, with a drop type trailing axles to allow lower frame ride heights with good ground clearence.

I found the ideal axle in an Eagle Primier, the rear axle is attached by 4 bolts (2 each side) uses steel torsion bars, is 48" between wheels ( but can be easilly spaced out for additional width), and uses 5x4.25 wheels.

I plan on using this axle on my version of the 10' Comet

Front wheel drive cars tend to use bolt on rear spindles, So if you want to make your own axle then get a couple of rear hub assemblies and make a matching 3/16" plate to bolt them to then weld the plates to a 1 1/4 piece of shed 80 pipe then bolt your hub assemblies up and you have and axle that will use the wheels you want...

Greg



PS... you can also make drop axles the same way

vairman wrote:Front wheel drive cars tend to use bolt on rear spindles, So if you want to make your own axle then get a couple of rear hub assemblies and make a matching 3/16" plate to bolt them to then weld the plates to a 1 1/4 piece of shed 80 pipe then bolt your hub assemblies up and you have and axle that will use the wheels you want...

Greg



PS... you can also make drop axles the same way

I had considered that too. And you can also use the ones on the front of a lot of them, you just don't have the axle shaft poking thru. Permanently lubed and you typically get 80-100k out of them, and that's with the side pressure of steering the car. I imagine on something the size of a TD they would last for quite a long time. I have a pair off the front of a Cavalier that I'm saving for that very purpose. The only thing is I think I would use 1/4" or 3/8" plate tho, 3/16" just isn't much for the torque it would take.

Nitetimes wrote:

vairman wrote:Front wheel drive cars tend to use bolt on rear spindles, So if you want to make your own axle then get a couple of rear hub assemblies and make a matching 3/16" plate to bolt them to then weld the plates to a 1 1/4 piece of shed 80 pipe then bolt your hub assemblies up and you have and axle that will use the wheels you want...

Greg



PS... you can also make drop axles the same way

I had considered that too. And you can also use the ones on the front of a lot of them, you just don't have the axle shaft poking thru. Permanently lubed and you typically get 80-100k out of them, and that's with the side pressure of steering the car. I imagine on something the size of a TD they would last for quite a long time. I have a pair off the front of a Cavalier that I'm saving for that very purpose. The only thing is I think I would use 1/4" or 3/8" plate tho, 3/16" just isn't much for the torque it would take.

Your right... I ment 3/8 not 3/16.....

Greg

sedanman67 wrote: If you ever have a disaster on the road, Wal-Mart usually has 5 on 4 1/2 rims with tires on them for spares.

I was looking at one of our local WM stores, and didn't see any wheel/tire combos over 12" and they had a 4 bolt pattern. I asked about larger ones, and they saud that they couldn't get the P175/14 trailer wheel/tire anymore. I didn't ask if that was just their store, but if they can't get it, then other stores probably can't either. That is the one that comes with the 5 bolt-4 1/2" pattern. That's the size I have on my boat trailer and will put on the ttt as well so that they are interchangeable. So, I guess it is back to Tractor Supply for the tires and wheels unless I find an online source cheaper with shipping.