Off-road tear drop trailer material size?

[Hummelator]

I've finally decided to build an off-road teardrop trailer.
Will be building the trailer frame also. Which brings me to my question.
What size material should I build with?
I would prefer to use 2"X3"X 3/16" steel tube to build the main frame. Which would cost me about $400 for materials.
But, a friend of mine has 2"X6"X1/8" steel tube that I can trade for a bottle of rum.

The 2"X3" would weigh less but the other material I can get for a song and a dance.
The trailer will roughly measure 10'x5' (deck only) and I honestly won't be doing any hardcore off-roading with it. Mainly camping on crown land

Thoughts?

 

[PCO6]

Not knowing your design, or how much you like rum, I'd go with 2"x3"x1/8". That should be plenty strong enough.

 

[stomperxj]

2x3x3/16 is overkill for a teardrop. 2x2x.125 is fine but since yours is a bit longer I'd agree with PCO6 and say 2x3x.125.

 

[rustED]

Does your friend have enough of the 2x6" material to build the entire frame including the tongue? I would be tempted to use the steel from your buddy if there was enough of it there to do the whole frame and you could get it for that cheap. Otherwise I agree with everyone else and would go with 2x3"x 1/8" wall tube...3/16" is really heavy and as mentioned overkill.

 

[Sikocycles]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I am in the same situation.
I would like to do a tongue that extends if needed. I want it to fit a bike rack in the rear and a lock and roll up front.
What tubing size would be needed to telescope the hitch into the main tube? It will run the length of the frame.

 

[rustED]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I am in the same situation.
I would like to do a tongue that extends if needed. I want it to fit a bike rack in the rear and a lock and roll up front.
What tubing size would be needed to telescope the hitch into the main tube? It will run the length of the frame.

You could use 2.5"x.250 wall square tube for your main tube. On mine I used 2"x.250 wall square tube for the main tube. I cut out square holes in the 2×3" main frame and slid the 2" tube through, then welded a peice of 2.5"x.250 receiver tubing about a foot long onto the end so I can switch from a regular ball style hitch to an offroad coupler. Mine doesn't run the full length of the trailer frame, but I've seen people do that and have a receiver on the other end as well. I'm just going to build a bumper with a receiver in it.

Here's a pic of my tongue.

 

[Sikocycles]

Thank you. That's what I will probably do for my teardrop build.

 

[Sikocycles]

I bought my first pieces to my teardrop build today while shopping in Brazil. Buttons for the curtains.

 

[Hummelator]

I bought my first pieces to my teardrop build today while shopping in Brazil. Buttons for the curtains.

Gotta start somewhere!

 

[Hummelator]

As money is a little tight, I'm going to go for the 2x6 steel frame. There is enough material to build the entire frame except for the tongue. The tongue will be 2x2 ( thicknss to be determined). Going to run it the entire length if the trailer and add a receiver in the rear.
In using the 2x6, I can add a water tank between Frame should I choose to.
Thanks for the replies

 

[Hummelator]

Was thinking about the frame material and decided to visit a local metal company here in town.
I asked if they would trade 2x6x1/8 for 2x3x1/8 and they said we could make something work

Will be starting in a couple weeks after I order the axle and wheels.

 

[rustED]

Nice, looks like it worked out in the long run. Just curious, what's your tow vehicle, are you getting matching size tires and wheels for the trailer? Look forward to your progress!

 

[Hummelator]

Tow vehicle is an O7 tundra.
I've decided not to get matching tires and rims for now. I am going to buy some steel rims similar to the pro comps- nice and cheap. I'm going to be building on a tight budget so any thing to keep cost down. Besides, I quite like to look of the steel rims and would seriously consider replacing my rims with them if they made them in my bolt pattern.

 

[JoshN]

Looks like you have made your decision but my 2 cents worth is this - the only regret I have building mine is over building it and not working to make it as light as I could and only as strong as it needs to be. Most first time teardrop builders over build and on later builds go lighter. Your truck should handle most anything you come up with, but why haul dead weight if you don't have to?

 

[Hummelator]

Looks like you have made your decision but my 2 cents worth is this - the only regret I have building mine is over building it and not working to make it as light as I could and only as strong as it needs to be. Most first time teardrop builders over build and on later builds go lighter. Your truck should handle most anything you come up with, but why haul dead weight if you don't have to?

I've been thinking about this lately. Mainly with building the side walls of the actual camper. I am between making a sandwich of materials, 3/8 plywood, 1x2 dimensional lumber ( so 3/4" thick) and then another sheet of 3/8 ply. Or just using a 3/4" sheet of plywood and be done with it. My thought it the sandwich method would make my doors a little more stout.
As for the trailer, I'm keeping a simple retangle Frame with two centre supports. The frame should weigh just under 300 LBS ( not including axles wheels etc.)

Thoughts?
Any thing is appreciated