Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I've been considering making simple box steel framing to save weight and increase rigidity.

Anyone think I'm crazy for thinking this might be the way to go?

Any good builds that use 1" box steel to make a frame?

Hi Bud, The better question is why not build a cabin of square tubing? I've been a welder for 37 years and not building with steel has it's merits. Wood framing is lighter. 1" x .065 tubing weights .826 # per foot. Wood does not have the same impact/ crash resistance but I'm OK with that. Wood is cheaper. Tubing is running about $1.00 per pound lately in my town. It is easier to attach the siding and interior finishes to a wood cabin vs. a metal cabin. I can add attachments to my plywood walls and know I have backing. Metal frame and insulation, skinned, not so much? Work trailer, animal trailer, sure. Camper, no.
My hatch frame is rolled square tubing covered with plywood and AL strip and is bullet proof. Page 25 of the "C"s of the member's has some pics of mine. The support is 1/2" round that automatically falls into a steel receiver and I'm making steel running boards, foldable icechest holder and roof rack so there is always something needing welding. That you can work with metal is a great advantage at times but some thing should be made of wood IMHO.
Enjoy, Chris

Check out alaska teardrop's stuff.

Another steel frame tear. This is my steel frame build. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=34013
I used 1" by 16 gage sq. tubing. The skin is .040 aluminum held to the frame with VHB tape. The inside paneling is also held with the same tape.
It is 5 ft. by 9 1/2 feet. Without all the camping stuf loaded it weighs 930 lbs.
Have fun with what ever you build

Jim

this is what I was currently tossing around in my head and on paper.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=60854