Differences in trailers

[donkro]

I'm in the planning stages for my first teardrop and am deciding on size but want to keep the cost down. Why are 5ft wide trailers more than double the cost of a 4ft wide? Harbor Freight has a 4 ft for $199. What's the difference in these trailers besides the 1 ft in width and weight capacities. Are there many of you out there who are comfortable in the 4 footers? Is a folding trailer OK to use for a teardrop? Have I asked enough questons?

[s4son]

donkro,
Many people use the folding HF tailer for the base of their teardrop. It should be modified not to fold though and some additional bracing added. I think the width depends on a couple things. If you and/or your partner are "big", then 4 feet might be a little tight. A 5 foot wide tear feels alot larger. Some folks use a 4 foot trailer and build out over the wheels to get more width.

Scott F.

[PaulC]

How can I say this? Stop right now otherwise you will be continually querying prices of everything you need to buy.
Basic engineering principles means that a trailer that can carry more will cost more. Heavier steel, better suspension etc, etc, etc.
If you want to save money build a 4', if you want the extra comfort then build 5'
Cheers
Paul

[Miriam C.]

Donkro
Build what you need. There is a mod for the folding trailer that basicly used the cross braces to fit in to keep it from folding. Then 2x4's are placed where the cross braces were and the axle was moved back. However there has been some discussion on whether that is needed. Problem is once your floor is put in and bolted down it shouldn't fold so...

Many have built over the side as well as the front and back of thier trailers.

I would suggest reading the Generic Benroy plans at the top of this page and the Hall of Fame builds.

[BrwBier]

If you are used to camping and sleeping on a 4' blow up mattress then a 4' teardrop would be OK. If you sleep on a queen bed at home then a 5' teardrop would be more comfortable. A 5' teardrop will cost more to build and the material will be harder to find. 4' wood is sold everywhere. For a test, get some cardboard and make some sides and spend the night in your living room, if it feels OK then you will have a pretty good feel for how wide to build. It's easier to do a few tests before you build, on the other hand, it is quite contagius and if you built too narrow then you can always build a second one.
Brwbier

[len19070]

Why are 5ft wide trailers more than double the cost of a 4ft wide?

Harbor Freight (as well as Tractor Supply) sells a lot of trailers that don't become Teardrops. From a sales stand point a 48" trailer that a customer buys and only has to slap 1 sheet of uncut plywood down on, as opposed to buying 2 sheets for a 60", cutting the second and having 3/4's of the second sheet left over, makes more sense.

Argo a 60" wide trailer is a specialty item. Doesn't matter if its only 1 foot or 1" wider. To manufacture anything under or over 48" (such a 46" as many Teardrop builders cut them to) would make them disrupt production of a 1 line product to accomadate a 2 line product. The second line, the one different than the 48" line, would then become a specialty item.

Specialty items cost more than Standard items. Its the way it is.

Try buying 14 eggs. It'll cost you the same as 2 dozen. Sure you'll have 10 left over. But if you don't have a use for the other 10, there scrap.

Happy Trails

Len

[PaulC]

Why are 5ft wide trailers more than double the cost of a 4ft wide?

And?

Cheers
Paul